Ian Evatt wants Wanderers to put an off-day behind them to be ready for when the real thing starts.
The Whites suffered a 3-1 defeat at Carlisle United in their penultimate pre-season friendly on a disappointing afternoon at Brunton Park.
The League Two side capitalised on some careless defending to secure victory after an Aaron Morley penalty had hinted at a comeback early in the second half.
Evatt didn’t mask his disappointment at a below-par performance but knows it only really counts when the League One campaign gets under way at Ipswich Town at the end of the month.
“There have been lots of positives form pre-season. One negative and that’s today. No-one wants to lose football matches and certainly not the way we’ve lost it today,” said the Wanderers’ boss.
“But no damage done. It’s a pre-season game and hopefully we can stamp that out ready for the season.”
Wanderers finish their build-up at home to Huddersfield Town next Saturday afternoon.
And Evatt will be looking for a positive reaction and an improved performance to take into the curtain-raiser at Portman Road.
“I’m really pleased it’s happened now and not in the league fixtures and it will be good for the players to see another side of me and to see a good reaction this week with a big game against Huddersfield at home on Saturday to finish our pre-season schedule,” he added.
“Football is a business and we are in the business of winning football matches, especially at a club like this.
“We’ve got huge expectations – from within more than anything else.
“We have to make sure that every day we perform to those expectations and today we let our standards slip. We know that.
“There’s no damage done, it’s a friendly but we have to learn from this and make sure we progress and it doesn’t happen again.”
Wanderers’ vice-captain Gethin Jones missed out on a reunion with his former club after picking up a knee injury in training.
But scans have revealed no major damage and the defender is expected to be fit for the start of the season.