A SINGLE picture hangs on a wall in manager Martin Scott's office at Victoria Park.

Ahead of the first game of the new season, the celebratory shot of Micky Nelson, Paul Robinson, Matty Robson and Gavin Strachan carries weighty significance.

It was at Peterborough on August 9, 2003 that the quartet made history by each scoring on their Pool debuts.

That dramatic 4-3 win at London Road, courtesy of Nelson's 30-yard screamer in the 89th minute, set the tone and standard for a season of success as Pool excitedly took to life in the new division.

Twelve months ago a home win over today's opponents Bradford City got Pool off to another good start.

And, with Colin Todd's side again at Pool today, Scott has stressed the importance of making it three successive League One opening day victories.

"That first game set the tone, I've said that to the players,'' admitted Scott. "It was out first game in this division, we were favorites to get relegated and we were away at Peterborough.

"I think that game brought us together, especially after being 3-1 down.

"For me, it is vital we don't take our eye of the ball, just because we reached the play-off final last season.

"We have brought some quality players into the squad to add to what we already have. What has brought us success in the last two seasons has been the workrate of everyone involved - staff and players.

"If we keep that, added to the quality we have brought in, we can enjoy another good season.''

Scott has added Lee Bullock, Chris Llewellyn and Michael Proctor to his armoury and all will add something extra to the attack.

At the back Darren Williams replaces Chris Westwood and Scott is delighted with the four new recruits.

"We've a lot of options going forward,'' said Scott. "Proctor, Llewellyn, Daly, Boyd, Porter and (Eifion) Williams are there and then there's the younger lads as well - Appleby, Wilkinson, Foley - and they will all play a part this season, every single one of them.

"It's the same in midfield. We've got players who can play in different roles and it's going to be hard on me at times to pick a team, pick a squad even.

"I've told them we have to stick together - there will be times when it will be backs against the wall as a team and as individuals - then take the chance when it comes.''

Scott's additions have boosted last season's squad and the boss, who takes control on a permanent basis for the first time today after four games in caretaker control last season, couldn't be happier with the way they have fitted in.

He said: "You have to bring in the right sort of players, those who will fit in to what we have here.

"I am lucky in that I know Williams, I know Proctor, I know a little bit about Bullock and Tommy Butler.

"Bullock is a player we have tracked for a while now and it was nice to finally land him.

"Llewellyn, I did my homework on him and spoke to people who knew him, including Denis Smith, his manager at Wrexham.

"We pulled out the positives from each of them and I know we have brought four good players and good characters in.

"We have a good group of players here and they have actually brought something else to the group.

"We've players like Darrell Clarke, who is a bubbly character who says a lot and starts a lot of the banter, then there's Hugh Robertson, who is quiet and doesn't say a lot, but brings something else again in his own way.

"Every player is a different character and everyone bounces off one another.

"It is, as Darrell calls it, surface joking.

"Also they know when it is time to work and time to graft.''

City striker Dean Windass netted 28 times last season and boss Colin Todd has been full of praise for his burly front-runner in pre-season.

Scott has warned his players they can't switch off against the one-time Middlesbrough man.

"He has played at a good level and showed this division last season what he can do,'' he said.

"He is very good with his back to goal, he's enthusiastic and is a danger.

"David Weatherall is a danger at set-plays and Bobby Petta is a good winger. It will be tough and we will have to be right to earn the three points.''

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