FC Halifax Town boss Jim Vince's believes added competition for places was a major factor in his side's stunning seven goal demolition of Salford City.
Two of the Shay chief's new signings - Scott Phelan and Danny Ellis - were on the bench for the clash.
And those who were given the nod to start the game responded in the best way possible.
"There is a desire and hunger in this squad," he said. "We have brought in three or four players and it has put the rest on their toes.
"They are going to have to play well to stay in the team.
"The squad is getting better, the players are getting better and looking more comfortable together, We are looking more of a team now."
"It has been a good week with three wins on the bounce."
The third successive win was virtually in the bag inside two-and-a-half minutes after goals from Kris King and Paul Gedman.
Ashley Stott, Gedman again and Lincoln Adams made it 5-0 before the break with Stott and Nigel Jemson at either end of the second half completing the rout.
"The message was about our tempo," said Vince. "We wanted to play at a fast speed, with quality at a high level.
"Two early goals is a good foundation.
"Once again we have done well in the first half but with the heat and the fatigue we dropped the levels a bit.
"I was a little disappointed with the second half performance, but we know where we are a little bit amiss and we have plans in place to address that.
"We can improve the energy levels.
"I was disappointed that we allowed Salford to score," he said.
"I will watch the video and try to eradicate that because I don't like conceding sloppy goals.
"They only had one real chance and it was a cheap one to give away."
Stott and Gedman are starting to form a potent strikeforce for the Shaymen with eight goals between them in the three games they have played together.
"Ashley has scored five goals now and his first on Saturday was his best so far," he said. "He has done something that is natural to him.
"But I had a word with him after the game because he passed the ball in the 18-yard box instead of finishing.
"Standards have to be set and you should not come away thinking you have had a good game when you should have had three.
"When a game is tight we expect him to score and not pass in that position. He has passed on responsibility there and he shouldn't have done."
"Now we are getting the quality into our play and Paul is getting on the end of that.
"The goals he scores are not spectacular, but the team is working hard to get the ball into him and Ashley Stott."
- FC Halifax Town 2008/09 fixtures, results and standings
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