… and that’s just what they’ll do. It’s up to York we go with ourselves this weekend and, at the same time, to the very bottom of the table. The Minstermen are propping up the League Two pile as we talk forth unto you here and now, having been cut three points adrift of safety. Is this a match we should be getting excited about, or one for the hosts to be hopeful for? Let’s see…
York City v Stevenage: Talk the York…
It’s a tale that’s been told for much of the season – well, the part of the season after it became clear it was a bit of an issue. Away from the Lamex, we can’t stop letting the goals in. We haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road this campaign and that isn’t much help if you’re trying to win football matches. It also means that we can’t take the helping hands given to us by our opponents.
So, what can York offer us when it comes to grounds for optimism? Well, it shouldn’t surprise you that the side lying bottom of the division has the worst defence. There have been 12 games at Bootham Crescent this campaign and the hosts have conceded 24 times – you don’t need to be Rachel Riley to work out that’s an average of two goals hitting the back of their net each game.
There has been a solitary clean sheet, though.
Up front, York seem to be doing better than us at the Lamex – 15 goals in those 12 outings (and only one failed to score) isn’t a groundbreaking record, but one we’d take right now. It all adds up to the promise of goals – 10 games at the Crescent this term have seen more than 2.5 goals. It’s now a question of if we can get the majority of them from our forthcoming showdown.
Our recent ins and outs are also more reason for breaking out that pained smile – in come two forwards that actually look as if they might cause an opposition defence some discomfort, while out go two defenders who didn’t cut the mustard at the Lamex. When you realise that mustard is a gooey liquid that needs little encouragement to part, you’ll realise that’s quite some feat.
We’ve not lost at Bootham Crescent since we visited in 2004. And, with the exception of a 1-1 draw in 2009, we’ve won the rest to nil. We almost even got one of Boro’s finest ever goals last season, had Charlie Lee’s effort not hit the bar and come back out to Adam Marriott. Lee to go one better this time is 4/1 (Bet365), with Boro’ best priced at 8/5 for the three points.
After turning to casinos with Steam Tower Slots for a much-needed dose of high octane excitement last weekend, we have – for the second game on the trot – a decent chance to tart up the Goals For and Points columns. Taking that chance, however, is the big question – and we kinda have to if we don’t want Yeovil and the Daggers once again chipping into our fragile comfort zone.
Otherwise, there could be some serious squeaky bum time going into February.
BoroGuide’s York City club profile – it might not be right, but that doesn’t mean we care…
