HEN it comes to making brash and bold predictions for the new season, Danny Wilson is more than happy to stand aside and let others talk.

The Hartlepool United boss is about to start his 13th full season as a manager. He's experienced enough not to go shouting the odds.

Twelve months ago he was starting life as the new manager at Victoria Park. Getting out of League Two was the priority, but Wilson didn't claim his side would be promoted in recordbreaking style, while seeing off all-comers with consummate ease.

Entering League One and Wilson is loathe to reveal what he expects - and demands - of his charges this season.

"What would be a successful season for us? I really don't know," admitted Wilson, who shot to prominence as a boss at Barnsley in 1997 when he took the club into the Premiership.

"What is good for one person might not be the same for another.

"Promotion would be a fantastic season for everyone, some would be disappointed not to win the championship, some will expect to get relegated.

"I don't know what the outside perception is. We have an aim and a perception within the group be it play-offs or automatic, I don't know.

"But if you don't have that belief, you might as well pack up now and go home.

"We don't start shouting this or that because it can come back and haunt you.

"We are not going out simply to survive, not at all. You set your sights and hope to achieve them."

He added: "We have our own thoughts among ourselves and know what we want to do and where we want to be.

"It encourages other teams to have a go at you if you start shouting your mouth off. We have assembled a good group of players, great characters as well."

Wilson has signed seven players this summer, six of them first-team squad members who will be expected to play important roles.

Intriguingly, none of his captures have cost a fee. The £80,000 spent on Richard Barker back in January remains his only financial outlay.

It's fair to say, however, if Wilson wanted money to spend, he could have it. A fee was agreed for Darryl Duffy with Hull before he signed for Swansea.

But Wilson isn't worried about missing out on Duffy, he's more than happy with his lot.

"Some clubs have spent a lot of money, big money," he said. "We have brought players in who we are very happy with, but they don't arrive on your lap overnight, there's a lot of spade work goes in there first.

"The nice thing is we have got players in without upsetting the wage structure. We wanted to sign players who wanted to play for Hartlepool and they are up for the fight and they want to take this club forward.

"That's why we are in the game, we all want to win things.

I'm no different from the players.

"They have all shown a great desire and work ethic to fit in and be part of what we want to achieve.

"I've said before that we got a little bit lucky last season in terms of suspension and injury and we have added some real strength and cover to the squad this season."

Pools won plenty of praise - and points - for their style of play, as they passed their way out of the bottom rung of the Football League ladder.

Now, with opposition of a higher standard to come, Wilson, who has promised a high-tempo game this season, admitted: "We try and play football and play the right way and we are going to get physical games and occasions when it will be tough.

"There will be some tough games to come - make no mistake about it. People say the higher up you go the more football you play, but it's not like that.

"You need that extra bit of power and strength as well - that's the case the higher you go."