IT’S the little things that could help to shape a big season for Kian Scales.

The 19-year-old knows the bar has been raised after breaking through into City’s senior ranks.

As one of several youngsters to get their chance under Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars’ stewardship, Scales is keen to push on and be part of the hoped-for promotion push with Derek Adams.

Football is often about the small percentages – and the hungry midfielder believes he can build his game from the competition around him.

He said: “We’ve got a lot of very good, technical players but I can take things from all of their games and try to add them to mine.

“Training every day with the other first-team players, you can see what they do well.

“It might be something as simple as getting your body in the way between the man and the ball.

“Gilly (Alex Gilliead) does it really well and it can help me out so much in a game because you can’t get tackled then.

“Little things like that come natural to them. The first time you do it, you might be thinking about it but then over time it will hopefully just happen and something you just do every day.”

Scales played the full game at Brighouse on Wednesday and scored in a 3-1 win. The fact that every squad member, barring the injured Elliot Watt, got a decent outing in the back-to-back midweek friendlies shows the depth of choice for Adams.

“Everybody will be thinking the same thing – that they want to play the first game at Exeter,” added Scales.

“Everybody is putting in decent performances and showing the best of their ability. Nobody wants to let themselves down.

“That can only be good for the group because it pushes everyone along.

“You might have had the Tuesday game when all the first team played at Guiseley and then it was all trialists on the Wednesday. It’s not the same as having 22 signed players out there.

“The pre-season has been so tough running all the time and getting distance in your legs. But I think everyone has bought into it really well and you can definitely see it on the pitch that we’re a fit group now.

“Knowing everyone is doing it and getting better, it’s good for us all. We’re all working towards one thing.

“You know what you’re doing and everything is a lot more set out than pre-season last year.

“But that’s because of Covid and stuff, we didn’t really know what was happening. This one is properly structured.

“Running every day was a shock to start with but then you get used to it. You know you must do it, so you get in that mindset to get through.”

Scales started six times in 20 league appearances last term and scored a memorable goal in the win at Colchester. It was a promising start in senior football but he admits there can be no standing still with a new manager to impress.

“They’ve seen what I can do so I know I can’t drop below that standard or even be on a par with that. I know I have to be better and keep expanding my game and adding what I can.

“When I came up last year, I was thinking that I’d be more than happy if I just got a few opportunities here and there.

“But I got a fair few chances and think I did all right. Now, hopefully, I can build on that.

“I think I’ve developed massively. I’ve got things in my game now that I wouldn’t have even thought about a year ago.

“Just training with the first team every day, you get more clued up to things that happen in professional games.

“It’s a massive step-up and there is still plenty more to learn – but from what I’ve learned about myself last year and through this pre-season, I can definitely give it a good go.

“It’s about being patient. I still think chances will come this season and you’ve just got to take them when they do.”

The arrival of Adams and influx of new faces that quickly followed has set the scene for a season at the right end of League Two. Talking openly of a promotion charge has heightened expectation levels but Scales sees nothing wrong.

“That is what the club should be aiming for,” he said. “The gaffer has come in and said it, the players want it and I don’t see why not.

“We should just go for it and see where we are.

“The manager’s record speaks for itself with Morecambe and Plymouth. Pre-season has been tough but it gets results.

“He knows what he’s got to do to help teams and make them better.

“If you can outwork teams and get the other side of your man and run him into the ground, you’re a tough team to play against.”