Ian Evatt feels his side is peaking nicely ahead of the big kick-off after matching Everton in their latest pre-season work-out.
Wanderers drew 0-0 with the top-flight Toffees in their penultimate friendly fixture.
Evatt’s men close their warm-up programme at home to Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and the Whites’ boss saw plenty of positives ahead of the start of the League One campaign next month.
“There were some good performances out there,” said Evatt after his side extended their unbeaten pre-season run by competing head-on with the Merseysiders.
“We had the opportunities to score some goals and didn’t take them but progression is the key word and we’re happy with it.
“What we’re trying to do is bring everybody to the boil at the right time for August 5th. That’s the most important game for us, that first league game against Lincoln.
“Up until that point, it’s about keeping everyone fit and healthy and progressing with our performance level and I thought we saw another step forward tonight.”
Evatt reported a clean bill of health after an entertaining goalless draw watched by over 13,000 fans at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Despite the lack of a winner, there was no shortage of entertainment in a game where both goalkeepers were fully employed.
“It was a great experience for the players,” added Evatt, whose side faced many of Everton’s big guns before the break.
“We did things our way. It would be easy to play Premier League teams and sacrifice the ball a little bit just to keep our shape and not get exposed.
“But that’s not the way we do things. We try and attack with and without the ball. It was a full-blooded game and I hope everyone who turned up enjoyed it. It was a fantastic crowd.
“In the first 10 minutes we were rabbits-in-the-headlights a little bit. I think the game was a bit too fast for us and we just lacked a little bit of belief.
“Sometimes reputations go a long way and we probably paid them a little but too much respect. But I thought as the half went on we got stronger and stronger.
“Both teams created quite a lot of chances and somehow the game has managed to stay 0-0. I think it was a positive game and a really good test and a good work-out.”