Newport County suffered a 2-1 pre-season defeat to Gloucester City at the KMM Energy Stadium after the hosts came from behind to overturn Lee Jenkins' first-half opener.
Speaking after the match, Todd admitted his frustration following the defeat but was encouraged by aspects of his side's first-half display.
“I think obviously I'm disappointed with the result,” Todd said. “Of course, we don't want to lose games of football.
“I was pleased with the first half. I thought we played really well.
“We were unlucky not to get a few more goals after going 1-0 up. Then obviously we made changes, trying to get minutes into the lads' legs and trying to balance that.
“In the second half, it was a bit disjointed if I'm being honest. But that's sometimes to be expected when you do make those changes.
“I expect more from the players to be a bit more organised with that. Obviously, to concede the goals that we did wasn't great.
“The boys will know about it, they've been told. They know they need to be better.”
County faced an additional challenge during the closing stages after being reduced to ten men, with Todd also expressing his frustration at the referee's handling of the incident.
“The referee spoils it. He spoils it because it's not ideal, if I'm being honest. If you're going to do it properly, use a bit of common sense.
“Come over and tell me to take him off if he thinks it's a sending-off. It's literally just me being honest.
“In the first half, one of their lads has literally put his forearm into our right-back's face. He just lets it go on and books him.
“You've got to be consistent, which is disappointing.
“It was hard for the boys, but it was great. I know it sounds mad, but it was because we could get them really working hard.
“In my way of playing, I want my teams to be dynamic. We're on astroturf, which is different. We're not going to play on astroturf this season. But there are no excuses.”
Despite beginning pre-season with back-to-back victories, Todd admitted the second-half display fell below the standards he expects.
“I'm not going to hammer them one bit because it's tough. It's hot out there today. It was hot for both teams.
“I thought we put more energy into our passing and you could see that in the first half. Then we kind of died down a little bit in the second half.
“So yes, there were lots of pleasing moments. The boys know they're disappointing themselves. They don't want to lose games of football. We don't want to do that as a club.
“And we shouldn't be losing, really, let's be honest. But these situations happen.”
During pre-season, several players have been deployed in different positions, with Joe Thomas among those given a different role. Todd praised the defender's versatility and willingness to adapt.
“It was just an idea of mine really, to be honest with you. Just to stick him in there because I think he can play that role. And he did very well.
“Then in the second half, you had to put him at right-back. So he's versatile.
“I want players like that who can play different positions.
“Pre-season is about working on different things and having a look at different options. Bit by bit, we get better.”
