ACCRINGTON Stanley star Paul Mullin has signed for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

The striker is the latest recruit to the sports desk's ever expanding team of columnists.

And he kicks off his weekly musings about life as a new full-time professional with the Reds today.

BLEEP tests, track drills, aerobics, salsa dancing ... whoever said that life as a professional footballer was a breeze?

My body certainly knew it was in for a tough time during the first week of pre-season training.

But the aches and pains are getting easier, I've speeded up on the bleep test and I'm ready now, more than ever, for the season to get under way.

Unfortunately we're kicking off on Saturday on the back of two disappointing pre-season games against Southport and Great Harwood.

In the first half-hour at Southport, I thought we were really good and used our shape well, but once they'd scored we couldn't rally ourselves. I think, though, that if we'd have got a goal we could have gone on to win by two or three.

On Monday against Great Harwood, it was a different story. We created chance after chance but it was one of those nights where their keeper was inspired and our finishing let us down.

But I firmly believe we've got goals in the team this season, and the competition for places can only add to that.

Plus, we're all feeling fit and ready to go.

I have to admit that I was out of shape to say the least after my holiday, and I think Steve Halford was in a similar state.

But all the lads are looking fitter and stronger.

And there are some confident lads in the side, although I'm sure there will be nerves on Saturday. But that's not a bad thing, and hopefully we'll be able to turn those nerves into adrenaline when three o'clock comes around.

It will be a tight game against Burton Albion on Saturday. We've played them quite a few times as they were promoted from the UniBond League as well, and although they don't tend to score bags of goals, Nigel Clough's sides are always well organised.

Then it's on to Morecambe on Tuesday, which will be another tough one.

Those derby games are always fiercely contested, so it's a difficult start for us. But there wasn't a lot to choose between the two sides last year.

Besides, I've got a good feeling about this season.

Read Paul Mullin's column every Thursday in your Telegraph Sport.