Worthington looking towards home form

The Minstermen are off the mark having started their League Two campaign with a 1-0 opening day home victory over Northampton Town before falling 2-0 at Dagenham & Redbridge a week ago.

Today’s visitors, however, have yet to even score having been vanquished 3-0 at Rochdale and stumbling 1-0 when entertaining Southend last Saturday.

But Worthington insisted: “We’ve had them watched over the first two weeks and they haven’t been that far away.

“They’ve not picked up a point yet but there’s nothing worse than a wounded animal.

“I have full respect for them and I know what they can do and can’t do but, as ever, it’s up to us and making sure we do what we can do.”

The former Northern Ireland chief has called on his side to make Bootham Crescent a fortress this season.

They are looking to make it five games unbeaten on their own turf in League Two in a run stretching back to last year’s successful relegation fight but have previously struggled to make home advantage pay.

York have generally been more prolific on their travels and Worthington said: “If you want to do well in any league then you have to get your home form right and then pick up points on the road.

“We had a good start at home in the League against Northampton and want to try to carry that on against Hartlepool.”

In between league fixtures, they endured a humbling 4-0 exit from the Carling Cup at the hands of Burnley and Worthington admitted: “We have conceded six goals in two games and I thought the two goals against Dagenham were soft.

“We are aware of that, have worked on it and, hopefully, we can deal with it.

“There will be a big crowd and there’s nothing better than that. Hopefully, that should spur you on.

“They are local rivals and I am looking at the Northampton game as our barometer. We have to play like we did in that game week in, week out to get the results that will move us forward.

“We are creating chances but need to be more ruthless and calm in and around the box.”