Survival remains the target for Minstermen

WITH five wins from nine outings since the turn of the year and a haul of 17 points, York City have soared into the top half of the League Two table.
York City manager Nigel Worthington.York City manager Nigel Worthington.
York City manager Nigel Worthington.

Such has been the dramatic upturn in form that, for the first time this season, the Minstermen are now closer to the play-off places than the relegation zone.

This has led to talk of a possible late charge for promotion, something that would be a remarkable achievement for a club who, but for a stunning late rally in form last Spring, would have been playing in the Conference this term.

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Nigel Worthington is delighted to see a sense of optimism return to Bootham Crescent but the City manager is also at pains to stress what the primary objective of this season remains.

“We have to get to 50 points,” said Worthington, ahead of today’s home game with Phil Brown’s Southend United.

“That is the target. There is still a lot of work to reach that total so we have to focus on that and that only. Obviously, the quicker we get there the better.

“But I maintain that is our objective. We will only get there if we continue to work hard. Nothing else will do.”

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York were 22nd in the table as 2014 got under way and level on points with Torquay United, who occupied the final relegation place. The season, at the mid-point, looked like being a long one for the Minstermen.

Now, though, City sit 11th following last week’s stunning 4-0 win at Plymouth Argyle. This charge up the table is what has fuelled the belief among the Bootham Crescent faithful that a late promotion push could be on the cards.

Worthington, who will celebrate his first year in charge next weekend, said: “We are just focused on the next game, which, because it is Southend, will be a big test.

“People may look at how far we are away from someone else in the league but I honestly don’t.

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“This division is so tight that it can be dangerous to get carried away and lose your focus. Lose two or three and you can be in the bottom five.

“Alternatively, you win a couple and you are in the top 10. There is so much football left to play that there is no point obsessing about the table.

“We just focus on what we need to do. Let’s get to 50 points and then we can have another look.”

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