Under-21s defender Kyle Fanning has said the team is learning more playing against men after their latest pre-season fixture against Scarborough Athletic.
A late goal from a trialist saw City suffer a narrow 2-1 defeat at the Flamingo Land Stadium.
“Obviously it was a difficult game with it being against men,” said Fanning.
“The standard and the physicality is completely different to last season when I was with the Under-18s. It was a big step up and it was difficult.
“However, it is good character development and experience to be playing against senior teams. Speaking on the physicality, it is a lot higher and more demanding on yourself.
“It is good for the team to develop their physicality going into the new season and hopefully be more dominant and take tips off them to better our own performance.”
The 18-year-old played the full game against Scarborough, receiving the captain’s armband in the second half of the fixture.
With the Tigers facing Bridlington Town tomorrow in their third pre-season fixture, Fanning is eager to continue his improving fitness for the new league campaign.
“I am grateful to be getting 90 minutes and trying to get as fully fit as I can for the season. Hopefully I can go into the season fully fit and injury free,” explained Fanning.
“It was good to receive the armband. It is difficult, but you have to be demanding, intelligent and disciplined to be able to talk to all the players and be a leader.
“Bridlington will be physically demanding. They will be another strong team so we will be going into the next game picking up tips and looking over the Scarborough result and see what we can do better as a team.”