York City v Accrington: Horror show sparks sweeping changes

The Minstermen were thrashed 6-0 at Fratton Park on Tuesday night despite the score being goalless at half-time.

McNamara was left incandescent with rage by the second half collapse and has since run the changes with four loanees having been returned to their parents clubs as a host of youngsters came in through the door.

The City chief said: “It was a long journey back and we didn’t get here until 4.30am. I put the game on the television on the coach.

“For me, it was looking back on it and the players to watch and look at their own performances.

“And see what they could do better. It is gone now. A lot has happened since then a lot of changes have happened, which was needed.”

David Tutonda, Rhys Turner, Bryn Morris and Michael Collins were the loanees released in the wake of the Portsmouth defeat.

In their place have come five new loan players Kenny McEvoy, Jordan Lussey, Stefan O’Connor, Bradley Fewster and Mark Kitching.

With Huddersfield Town defender William Boyle having remained, it means McNamara, who sees youth as crucial to getting York out of trouble, has a big decision to make due to only five loanees being able to feature in a matchday squad of 18.

McNamara added: “I know my team. It is never an easy decision but, for me, I go on trust. It will be a gamble with some of the kids because we have only had one day of training.

“After the Accrington game, we have two weeks and that is a good spell to get into them and see what they are about.”