Worthington aiming to get York buzzing

The Minstermen may have crashed out of the Capital One Cup in midweek as Championship side Burnley romped to a 4-0 victory at Bootham Crescent.

But in League Two York are one of the form teams with the opening day win over Northampton Town meaning Worthington’s men have taken 16 points from their last six league outings.

It is an impressive return and one that Worthington wants to improve on today when City return to Dagenham & Rebridge for the first time since last April’s 1-0 win was enough to banish any fears of relegation.

The York manager said: “There is potential here. Self-belief is a big thing in terms of realising that potential. As is momentum. And if you get belief on the pitch, it can spread off it to the city. People will come then.

“We have to do our job on the pitch. First, performance-wise we need to play as much decent football as you are allowed to in League Two.

“Then, secondly, we need to gain good results. If we do both those things it can create a real buzz that will lead people to get nosey and try to see what is going on here. And want to join in.

“That way you can build a very, very solid foundation for moving forward. This is a good club with good people involved. That is why I wanted to stay this season.

“When last season ended, the chairman (Jason McGill) asked about a contract, I told him I’d enjoyed working with him and the other directors. That has always been important to me over my career. I have worked with good people at the top end, who it was possible to work together while also respecting each other. I felt we had that here at York straight away.”

Richard Cresswell is likely to return to the starting XI today after sitting out the midweek Capital One Cup loss to the Clarets.

Worthington was unhappy with elements of Tuesday’s performance and is calling for an improved effort today in Essex.

He will, though, be without Estonian international Sander Puri, who could be out for up to six weeks with a hamstring problem.