Jimmy Cooper has shrugged off the Metropolitan Police’s defeat in their first pre-season friendly by insisting that preparations are going exactly to plan.

The Blues were beaten 4-2 by Blue Square Premier side Grays Athletic on Tuesday night, slumping to defeat courtesy of two late goals.

Gary Drewitt and James Greenaway were on target for the Met, and Cooper reckons the performance offered him a lot of positives.

He said: “Overall I thought it was quite an impressive display.

“To lose like that to a side three leagues above us is no disgrace, and it gave me the chance to have a good look at 20 players.

“Things did get a bit disjointed late on as I made a few changes, but you expect that.

“The pre-season games are all about giving the trialists a chance, and I will be using another 20 players when we play Dartford on Saturday.

“But overall I am delighted and I think this is the best pre-season we have had since I came to the club.

“The training methods are really taking shape and the squad looks hungry for success.”

Cooper fielded his most recent signing, Chertsey Town’s Marcus Moody on Tuesday night.

And the Blues boss admitted his delight at finally securing the left-sided midfielder.

He added: “I have been tracking Marcus for about four or five years, and trying to sign him every year since then.

“He is a naturally left-footed player and he has a lot of skill on the ball.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that he can make the step up, and he was by far our best player on Tuesday night.

“He is a very good signing for us and he will be a vital asset this season.”