Michael Flynn believes his Cheltenham side can only get better after they beat League One Exeter 2-0 in the Carabao Cup first round.
With several new faces included, goals from summer signings James Wilson and Ryan Broom earned the hosts a first second round appearance since 2021-22, with a trip to Cardiff their reward.
The success eased the pressure after the Robins started their League Two campaign with two defeats without scoring.
“It’s a very pleasing night,” Flynn said. “Everybody was excellent, even the ones who came on and it’s given me food for thought for Saturday (MK Dons away).
“We are a new squad and a young team, learning together and getting used to each other as well.
“The new boys who have come in tonight, who haven’t had too many minutes, are getting up to speed and we are only going to get better.
“If we put in that level of commitment, we’ll be a match for anybody.”
Exeter boss Gary Caldwell, who made 10 changes, said: “It was a poor performance. I don’t think we got going in the game.
“We made a lot of changes, giving players the opportunity to show what they are about and too many didn’t get up to the speed of the game.
“We felt the team was more than capable of winning the game but we didn’t deserve to.
“Some of the young lads can take a lot from it but overall we need so much more as a team. We have to compete more, run more and be braver on the ball.”
