NEALE Cooper's latest stint in English football kicks-off tonight - and he is hoping it is a long way better than the first. The new Hartlepool United boss takes control of his team for the first time since his surprise appointment almost three weeks ago.

Pool arrived in Holland yesterday for week long training stint at the Dutch FA (KNVB) headquarters and face Dutch opposition in Herenveen on Friday and Top Oss tonight.

After a fortnight on the training ground with his new charges, the former Aberdeen midfielder can't wait to get going. His first stay in England was an unhappy one, just 19 games for First Division Aston Villa was, he admits, a miserable time in his playing days.

And, after a brief playing spell at Reading, he admits: "Aston Villa wasn't the best time for me. I had highs at Aberdeen, but a low at Aston Villa. I've been in the game a long time and I've had a week break and now I'm refreshed and raring to go with Hartlepool United.

"I had success as a manager in Scotland and I know some people might dismiss it as being in Scotland - but the one thing I will say is that football doesn't change wherever you go. The principles of the game are the same.

"Hopefully I can bring to the club what I know I am capable of and see the club go as high as we possibly can take it. This trip is something I've really been looking forward to. I really, really prefer games to training. So far we've done a lot of work on the training ground, gradually stepping things up and we've had a couple of practice games among the lads.

"Our trip will give me the chance to take a look at the players in a game and also, off the field especially, to get to know them all. Likewise it will be the same for the new players.''

Cooper added: "I had a few transfers as a player, but as a manager, moving to a new club is so different. I came here not knowing anyone - it's all new to me - but the welcome and help I've had from everyone at the club has made things a lot easier for me to settle in.''

Tonight is likely to see Marco Gabbiadini and Micky Nelson make their debuts, although Cooper is ready to hand all his travellers a chance on the tour.

Pool stayed at the same base last summer, but hope that the two games will prove more of a test than last year when both Theole and Nootdorp were dispatched 12-0 on successive nights.