Crawley v York: Cresswell demands Minstermen play with intensity

This, together with the nine-game winless run that this week cost Russ Wilcox his job, is as vivid an illustration as any of the struggles that the Minstermen have been enduring.

Richard Cresswell’s task, therefore, is to lift both spirits and the club’s points tally after being handed the reins on a temporary basis and the former striker is ready to embrace that challenge.

“It has been quite a turbulent few weeks,” said City’s caretaker manager, who is being assisted by Jonathan Greening and goalkeeping coach Andy Leaning.

“Everyone has been a bit low. The manager has known he is under pressure and, eventually, he lost his job.

“I worked closely with Russ and John (Schofield, assistant). They are two great guys and it is so disappointing that things didn’t work out.

“But, for me personally, I have been asked to take the reins on a temporary basis and my preparation has been thorough.

“People will probably know how I used to play and I want to see the same intensity from the players.

“One win can turn things round and we have to go to Crawley believing we can get those three points. This is a time for everyone to pull together.

“The supporters have a massive role to play. We need to be united as a group, as there is sufficient quality here to get us up the league.”

York’s search for a successor to Wilcox began in earnest on Monday morning and by the following day more than 100 applications had flooded in.

It was a response that pleased the board, who had no firm candidate in mind.

Cresswell added: “This can be an unsettling time. All the rumours start more or less straight away as to who might be coming in. My job, though, is to keep the focus on the match and that is what we have done.”