Mark Kennedy felt his side executed their gameplan well at Bolton Wanderers, despite falling to a defeat in Lancashire.
The Trotters needed a penalty to open the scoring at the University of Bolton Stadium, before making the game safe with a late second goal in the closing stages.
Kennedy said: “Out of possession we were excellent, particularly in the second half when we really frustrated Bolton and made it tough for them.
“We came here with a game plan which meant we were naturally going to give up possession and hit them on the counter. I thought that was evident in the first 10 or 15 minutes and we definitely saw glimpses of that in the second half.
“I said to the lads that there are lots of positives to take and asked them not to come in on Monday beating themselves up. We have got to come in positively and energised. With a performance like that, there is something to build on."
Kennedy was also pleased with the Danny Mandroiu’s first City appearance, and believes that there is more to come from the Irishman who joined the club in the summer.
He added: “Danny is a player who wants it in tight areas - he will have a go at you for not giving him the ball and has got real bravery.
"Danny has got huge belief in himself and I thought his performance when he came on was very encouraging. He will definitely be a problem for the opposition.”
