Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth believed that his side were "easy to score against" in their 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Luton Town.
The visitors displayed the gulf in quality between the two sides, as goals from Nahki Wells, Benedict Benagr and Gideon Kouda capped off a comfortable win.
Five players in the starting line-up made their Gills debuts, including shot-stopper Owen Mason, who was drafted in on an emergency seven-day loan from Mansfield Town.
The Kent side, who are riddled with injuries, gave opportunities to academy graduates Logan Dobbs, Sully Booth and Harry Waldock.
"Easy to score against"
The 53-year-old gave admiration to the opposition but demanded more from his side:
“We were okay but not at full tilt, and I felt there was a little bit of pre-season still about us. I'm glad it's happened today in the Carabao Cup because I think Luton are a super team.
“They had pace in their team; their subs who came on strengthened them. We just were a little bit easy to score against, and I just didn't want that.
“We had to be more resilient, more tenacious, win every header, win every tackle, win everything.
“I’m not too down, but I’ll be going through the video making sure that we're not too easy to score against. The second goal, a quick free-kick, you've got to stop that, and the corner as well.
“We didn't create brilliantly against them, but I knew chances would be few and far between because they're such a good side."
"We're going to be competitive"
Ainsworth took Wycombe to the play-offs in his second season in charge of the Chairboys (Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The former Wycombe and QPR boss recognised the task at hand on Saturday and remains optimistic going into their League Two opener against Walsall.
“We probably had one of the toughest ties in the first round," Ainsworth admitted.
“I just thought a couple of goals were just too easy. We got carved apart in moments where there was a quick free-kick (for the second goal). I think we could have stopped that, and then another corner, which, again, I hate conceding from corners.
"I've seen enough in pre-season to know we're going to be competitive this year.
"Next week is the big one obviously; we all know that, and that's where I want to get going and kick off with a win. I believe in this group that we've got. We're going to get on this; we're going to work hard this week. I know they'll be different against Walsall.
"The warning signs have probably come at a good time for us, in the Carabao Cup, which is usually tucked in on a Tuesday night.
"I intend to start the league campaign with a win."
Appearances for Albarus and Dobbs
Ainsworth named a plethora of young players in his roster against Luton, namely Zane Albarus, who made his professional debut after moving to Priestfield from Brighton, and Logan Dobbs, who started at centre-back for his first Gills appearance away from the EFL Trophy.
"Logan Dobbs, I thought was good," said Ainsworth.
"He had a steady game in his first senior appearance."
"You've got the likes of Zane Albarus; you don't realise that he hasn't made a senior appearance yet."
The 22-year-old Owen Mason started between the sticks, joining on an emergency loan from Mansfield. The Irishman could be on standby as the Gills wait for an update on first-choice goalkeeper Ollie Wright.
"Owen Mason came in in goal. I think he kicks it really well.
"I think in his first game for a while, he'll be getting up to speed, no doubt."
