York City v Morecambe: Familiar territory does not concern Scott Flinders

A year ago, the Rotherham-born goalkeeper was rock-bottom of the Football League with Hartlepool United.

He is in exactly the same place now with York City.

Is is not where Flinders expected to be after moving to Bootham Crescent, but the fact Hartlepool stayed up comfortably come the end of last season is surely proof that the Minstermen can get out of trouble themselves this time around.

“It has been like this for the past three years,” said the goalkeeper, who spent six years at Hartlepool before moving back to his native county last summer.

“Relegation from League One (in 2013-14) and the two relegation battles. So, I am familiar with it. Panic has not set in. Why should it?

“I still believe the players in that dressing room are good enough to stay in this league.

“But everyone knows what a massive thing for sport confidence is.

“The confidence of everyone in the team is a bit off it. But once we get that first victory, I know you will see a different team.

“It has been hard at times. But I just get on with it. We need to start winning games.

“Christmas and the New Year is massive.”

Going into the final weekend before Christmas a year ago, Hartlepool had just 12 points from 20 games. York have an identical tally having played one game more but are just one point behind third-bottom Dagenham & Redbridge, whereas Hartlepool were six adrift of safety at the corresponding stage.

In the New Year, that gap between Ronnie Moore’s side and the rest grew even larger but the North East outfit recovered brilliantly to finish four points clear of the dropzone.

Flinders is hoping the Bootham Crescent faithful can play their part in what he believes will be another successful survival bid.

“We can breed off the confidence of the fans,” he added. “We had a massive thing with the Hartlepool fans. They knew we were struggling but got right behind us.

“We were rock-bottom and something like 12 points adrift at one stage.

“But we have better players here, trust me about that. Once you see that first win, you will see a massive difference in terms of performance.”

York’s defeat last week at Bristol Rovers was their ninth in a row, a new club record.