Notts County defender Adam Chicksen has explained the standards set at Meadow Lane ahead of this season, and admits future signings have to have that same application if they are going to enjoy National League success.
The Magpies have made six new signings during this transfer window, with one of those, Macauley Langstaff, enjoying a debut to remember, scoring twice in their opening day victory against Maidenhead.
And the 30-year-old defender was quick to heap praise on the recruits brought in by Luke Williams, but insisted that potential new signings must buy into the values at the club and have the right attitude in order to succeed.
READ MORE: Luke Williams talks improvement, Boreham Wood threat and his start to life at Notts County
Speaking to NottsLive on Wednesday afternoon, Chicksen said: ""Yeah, they have settled in really well to the squad.
"When the new lads come in, you hold them to standards that we have set as a team before that and I hold them accountable for the standards us lads have set.
"They need to come in match those standards otherwise they are going to be behind it, but fair play to every man that has come in, they have matched it and taken us further.
"I can only talk personally, but I am going to set the highest bar possible. Fitness, mentally, what I ask for off the pitch, on the pitch, how you treat people around the place, because for me, from the groundsman to the cleaners and the fans, they all mean something to me so if you are coming in to sign for this club now, you need to be accountable for your actions and how you are going to treat everyone.
"I hold my standards there, and if you don't meet those we are going to have a problem, but all these lads have come in with great attitudes and it is going to push us in the right direction."
Those standards transpired onto the pitch against Maidenhead, with three goals, a clean sheet and an impressive performance in Notts' National League opener.
And whilst Chicksen was pleased with the performance, he is aware of improvements needed to be made, and is looking forward to the challenge of Boreham Wood this weekend.
"It was a great start, but it is just a start," said Chicksen.
"There was areas that we need to improve on but it is not going to be a quick process, we know a clean sheet against Maidenhead is a good start for us, but we know the opposition will get better and we need to hit higher levels to make sure that we are right at the top.
"This weekend, it is going to be one of those where they are going to be more worried about us. Yes, they are going to have their attacking threats but if we can take their attacking threats further away from our box, their attacking threats are then going to have to run 50 yards towards our goal, and the easier it becomes."
