Neil McDonald was all smiles after West Ham United's impressive 2-0 pre-season victory over Real Zaragoza.
The Hammers impressed the assistant manager with a clinical display at both ends of the pitch, with Matt Taylor and Freddie Sears scoring fine goals and Robert Green and his defenders looking solid in defence.
A fifth straight clean sheet, combined with encouraging performances from new boy Joey O'Brien and trialist Jlloyd Samuel (pictured), had McDonald purring when he spoke to West Ham TV.
"I think we got both the performance and the result," he said. "I think we played some really good football and built up really well. We got the ball into the danger area, scored two goals and kept a clean sheet, so it was the perfect day really.
"The goals were well-worked. It was nice to see the wide men coming inside to get a goal. Young Freddie finished his off really well in the second half as well, so we're really pleased with everyone's performance.
"Everybody is shaping up well and it's good that they are adapting to different systems because we might have a system against Cardiff that isn't working so we might have to change it. The lads have adjusted and got used to the two formations that we've played, which was good."
O'Brien's move was completed just minutes before kick-off, and McDonald knows the quality the Republic of Ireland international possesses after working with him previously at Bolton Wanderers.
Another former Trotter, Samuel, could follow the 25-year-old through the Boleyn Ground entrance gates after producing an assured display against the Spaniards.
"I think Joey is a decent defender and very good on the ball as well. He's big and strong, so he's a great addition and gives us some fantastic competition for places, which is great.
"First impressions were really good. Jlloyd has got a good pedigree and a good CV, so we've got him in, trained him for a couple of days and got a good look at him on Saturday. He's enjoyed what he's done and we've enjoyed having him, so I'm sure the manager will sit down with him and see what the situation later on at the start of next week."
With a week to go until the 2011/12 npower Championship campaign kicks-off with the visit of Cardiff City, McDonald said the players was exactly where he and manager Sam Allardyce hoped they would be at this stage of pre-season.
Allardyce was away on a scouting mission on Saturday evening, and with the prospect of further signings to boost the squad, McDonald is in positive mood.
"We're almost fully fit, althought Julien Faubert picked up a little niggly injury. Abdoulaye Faye is not far away, so we're getting everyone where we want them at this stage with a week to go.
"I think the performance showed that there's no hangover, but at the same time it's vital we concentrate on Cardiff next week and make sure we get the same performance as we got on Saturday.
"We'll be looking to work hard this week in the lead-up to the game. The fitness is almost there. We just need to sharpen up our end-product around the box. That normally comes in the last week.
"It's about roles and responsibilities and making sure everybody knows where they should be when we have got the ball and when we haven't got the ball. I think that's falling into place quite nicely - everyone knows what they're doing.
"We've just got to sharpen up leading into the game against Cardiff."