York, one of the promotion favourites
before a ball was kicked this season, have admirably coped with the pressure of
that billing, sitting at or near the top of the tree since August, before
recently being overtaken by King’s Lynn.
The Minstermen attracted the
bookies’ attention in the summer as newish manager Steve Watson, generously backed financially by
chairman Jason McGill, shrewdly brought
players like Dan Maguire and Kieran Green in from a strong Blyth team, and
experienced Steve McNulty and Paddy McLaughlin from higher up the pyramid. The
newcomers have gelled well with the players Watson considered good enough to
stay over the summer, with the club committing in spring to a full-time future,
after briefly considering a move to going part-time.
They’ve conceded just ten goals
in 18 league games so far this season, and although they’re not prolific
scorers like King’s Lynn they’ve nevertheless been quietly and consistently getting the job done. Defenders Steve McNulty and
Sean Newton give a reassuring presence at the back that’s been singularly lacking
for Hereford so far this season. With Russell Slade hinting at further squad
tinkering soon, they’re just the sort of defenders who should be a priority: a
wealth of experience at a higher level, 30+ but still with fully functioning knees,
the sort of people who’d rather sell their grannies than concede a goal etc.
However, there are some chinks
appearing in their armour. York got knocked out of both the FA Cup and FA
Trophy 1-0 to Altrincham, with both games at home in quick succession, and
recently suffered their first league loss – again 1-0 and very surprisingly to
struggling Curzon Ashton, who seem to be getting their act together just before
Hereford’s visit on Saturday.
It was 1-0 yet again as York
won last time out against against Alfreton, although Alfreton have only won one
in five, and are far from being world beaters. You don’t have to have a good
memory to recall who that one win was against of course, although you may understandably
have undergone a procedure to have that match surgically removed from your
noggin.
The Bulls looked to have more
about them with the return of Stephen Dawson and Taylor Allen on Saturday in
the 1-1 draw with Farsley Celtic. Dawson should relish the opportunity to test
himself against some decent players in midfield. It was also good to have Danny
Greenslade back in the starting XI – how refreshing to see a player with a
spring in his step rather than on the back foot. Hopefully this positivity will
rub off on Jordan Nicholson, bright as a button early in the season but
recently looking rather lost.
The players, individually and
as a group, will need to find at least another gear to be competitive in this
one, and the jury’s very much still out on how many gears are actually in that
gearbox. One thing that’s certain is that reverse must be entirely worn out by
now.
Last season York finished 12th
and took just a point from a struggling Bulls team, but they were a very
different side then. It’s encouraging to see them as an example of how
transformative a summer of shrewd wheeling and dealing can be.
It’s difficult to envisage how
the Bulls are going to find the York net when clubs with actual strikers have
found it so difficult, but a win, however unlikely, would give everyone on and
off the pitch such a boost. Following the aforementioned Curzon Ashton match, there’s
then a break before four games in 11 days over Christmas. A rejuvenated squad
peppered with some worthwhile new arrivals could harvest enough points in that
little lot to get right back in the mix.
Saturday’s draw leaves the
Bulls five points shy of the play off positions, so despite the fact that the
recent run of form has plumbed some very dark depths and seemingly lasted
forever, the situation is still eminently recoverable.
Sunglasses for the new visual display facility - check. Lots of layers for the weather - check. Bob's your uncle.
COYW