NEW coach John Kear has challenged the Bulls squad to impress him and earn their League One starting spots.

Kear takes charge of his first training session this evening since taking the Odsal reins.

And he will make it clear that there will be no favouritism in his selection.

The winter recruitment since their relegation from the Championship has gone down well with fans.

There are still a few vacancies within the ranks – the Bulls still look light on the wing – but Kear intends to have a good scan at the players he inherits before considering further additions ahead of the season opener at York.

He said: “I’m coming here with an absolutely clean piece of paper. That will be part of my first address to the players.

“I’m not coming in with previous expectations of anyone. It will be up to them with their actions and attitude for me to form my opinion.

“I’ll really have a look at the players that are here before looking elsewhere.

“If there’s an apple that drops off the tree that I know full well will add something, then we may well take them on board.

“But at the minute, those here will get the first chance.

“They will be given that opportunity of this six-to-eight week pre-season. We’ve got five trial games and I’ll be able to look at the individuals, the combinations and the team as a whole.

“They get first dibs. If they do the business, they’ll get the start against York.”

Co-owner Andrew Chalmers has already raised the bar by suggesting the Bulls should aim to go through next season undefeated.

It is a different mindset for Kear after his recent spells at Batley and Wakefield, clubs who have adopted an underdog role.

And he insists the Bulls cannot allow any complacency to creep in.

“I want them to play with respect,” he added. “I want them to respect the game, the competition and the opposition.

“If they do that, that ensures they come with the correct attitude week in, week out.

“I believe, if you come slightly undercooked, you’ll get caught.

“We cannot be undercooked any week at all. We’ve got to make sure we turn up week in, week out with the right desire and determination in order to achieve the two points and success.

“(Coming to Odsal) will be the opposition’s cup final and I’m fully aware of that. I adopted a similar philosophy at Batley when we played the Bradford Bulls.

“I know what will be going on in the minds of the opposition.

“We can’t be complacent because we are where we’re at. On the playing side, we’re in League One – that’s the top and bottom of it.

“That’s the realism and respect we’ve got to give the competition and the opposition. We’re going to have to fight very hard to get out of there.

“The only way we’re going to do that is by being consistent in our preparation, our planning and our performance.”