NEW boss Martin Scott is confident he is onto a winner after appointing Steve Agnew as his right-hand man.

Scott takes control of Hartlepool tomorrow for the first time since being appointed full-time during the close season.

And, after being the No 2 to Neale Cooper over the last two successful seasons, Scott believes his partnership with former Sunderland team-mate Agnew can be just as successful, if not more.

Pool meet Bradford at Victoria Park tomorrow in a repeat of last season's opener and Scott admitted: "Since getting the job it's been a very busy time - but an exciting one.

"I had a list of players I wanted to bring in and I had in mind the person I wanted to bring in to work with me and Paul Stephenson and all the backroom staff we have here.

"And the chairman and IOR have been really good from that point of view in backing me and my ideas.

"It's been busy, it's been hectic bringing in new players and new staff - we lost the physio and goalkeeping coach as well.

"It's been good and getting Steve in was a big boost. I knew before he came what sort of character he is and the players get on well with him.

"He's a good coach and is proving it on the training ground.''

Scott, who lured Agnew to Pool from Leeds where he was part of Kevin Blackwell's coaching staff after a spell running the reserves, added: "I'd been so busy in the office in the week building up to Holland, I didn't get chance to get on the training ground, I really didn't.

"We were signing players and talking to players and I missed that side of it.

"But you can't be in two places at once and Aggers was there to organise things on the training ground and I knew things were in safe hands.

"I could take care of things and so could Steve. Me and Neale (Cooper) had a similar relationship in that he could get on with things while I took training and was comfortable with it.''

Scott won't announce his side until an hour before tomorrow's opener, but admits he has known for a week what his starting XI will be.

Micky Barron, Mark Tinkler and Joel Porter are all missing through injuries, while it is unlikely Pool's four new signings - Chris Llewellyn, Lee Bullock, Michael Proctor and Darren Williams will be involved against the Banthams for the season's curtain raiser.

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