Cardiff City: Russell Slade happy with team's summer progress

Russell Slade was appointed manager of Cardiff City after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2014

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade says the friendly win over Watford shows his side is making progress.

Joe Mason scored twice as Cardiff beat the newly-promoted Premier League side 2-1 at home.

"Only a fool would go away from this today and say we've made no progress," said Slade, whose team finished 11th in the Championship last season.

"We've played Premier League opposition and at the end of the day that's where we want to be."

The Bluebirds will have another chance to measure themselves against a side promoted from the Championship when they face AFC Bournemouth on Friday.

"The idea of playing Watford and Bournemouth was to give us a benchmark - these are the two teams that have got out of our league last season," added Slade.

The former Leyton Orient manager said he had been impressed, but not surprised, by the form of Mason in the summer.

The 24-year-old striker has scored four times in friendly matches, after spending most of last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers.

"Joe's had a good pre-season," added Slade.

"I think he's moved forward again - he's fitter, he's stronger, he's sharper and he's finishing like he can finish."