Portsmouth v York: Wilcox planning to strengthen the core

The Minstermen today end what has often been a difficult campaign with a trip to Portsmouth.

Safety was assured by the April 18 win at home to Morecambe, something that has allowed Wilcox to turn his attentions to this summer and which players he sees as being part of York’s future.

He has also been able to assess potential signings that can help York’s prospects for next term.

Wilcox said: “I said when we had secured our League status that it would be an advantage to have those extra couple of weeks to plan for next season and we have used the time well.

“We know the direction we want to go in and the quality we want to add to the group. I have to say we have things to build on.

“There is a core of good professionals here and the challenge is to bring in the three or four quality players to add to that core.

“Recruitments hasn’t really changed over the years, other than there are probably more players coming out of contract each summer. However, of those 600 or so, a lot will be development players with no experience.

“We are looking at bringing in experience. I am not saying there won’t be an addition or two with potential. But, on the whole, I am looking for lads with 100, 200 or 300 games under their belt, players who know and understand this level.”

York set an unwanted record this season with the paltry 16 goals scored at Bootham Crescent being the lowest since the club was formed in 1922.

“Defensively, we have been pretty good this season,” said Wilcox, who believes today’s trip to Fratton Park – and a likely 16,000 attendance – is the ideal way to sign off the season. “But we have to find a way of scoring more goals. That has been the disappointing thing about this season.”