Woking Preview

[Woody Wilson]

_____________________ Woking vs York City
_________________________Kingfield Stadium, Woking
_____________________Saturday 20th November 2004, 3.00pm
__________________________


Under new management York City head South to Woking with an intent to cause an upset after an enforced two week absence. Having had the previous weekend off due to being knocked out of the FA cup, the travelling Red Army should.... SHOULD see a refreshed side take to the field in what will prove to be a tough challenge. However after recent displays this can never be a certainty.

Players will be keen to stake their claim to remain in caretaker manager Viv Busby's longer term plans, and with this a new sense of belief and determination should follow.

After the fateful, embarrassing and truly dismal display/result against Forest Green Rovers two weeks ago, the inevitable sacking of Chris Brass followed. However, as he remains at the club as a player it is likely he will be starting at the heart of the City defence after injuries to Gary Pearson and Shaun Smith, as well as longer term victim Steve Davis. Youngster Shaun Davies should partner Brass at centre and the usual partnership of Merris and Law at left and right back respectively should also remain.

Moving onto midfield, and one major blow for City is the news that right-winger-come-forward Paul Robinson will be out until at least December with a hamstring problem. This leaves the door open for youngster Levent Yalcin to impress on the right wing having had limited chances under Chris Brass. However with the returning Kevin Donovan impressing in the reserves, it is likely he will replace Robinson and perhaps Yalcin will find his place upfront – a more natural position to the Turk. Dunning and Groves look set to keep their partnership in the City midfield progressing, and Bryan Stewart also looks likely to start on the left wing with limited competition in that position.

Finally, the strikers, and after returning from his impressive display for England last week, Andy Bishop will almost certainly be starting for the Minstermen. The seemingly ever-present Lee Nogan may start along side to the dismay of the fans, although my personal choice would be to play Lev Yalcin. Perhaps this could be just behind Bishop to help link the midfield and attack together – something that has been lacking in previous weeks. Other Youngters, such as Adam Arthur and Robbie Haw, could make the bench to give Busby options later in the game.

Woking will be without defender Jon Boardman for Saturday's home clash against the Minstermen after he was sent off in the 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Notts County.

Manager Glenn Cockerill is still hoping to see his side mount a Conference play-off challenge. Cockerill told his club's website: "It's very tight. My aim is to make sure we are still in contention at Christmas. Then anything can happen. There are lots of good clubs in this league and it gets harder every year," he added.

How the Teams Line-Up

York City (Possible Team) – Stockdale, Merris, Law, Brass, Davies, Stewart, Dunning, Groves, Donovan, Yalcin, Bishop.
Substitutes; Porter, Grant, Arthur, Coad, Nogan.

Woking (Possible Team) – Jalal, Oliver, MacDonald, Boardman, Jackson, Smith, Evans, Murray, Richards, Nade, Foyewa.
Substitutes; Basso, L.Cockerill, Tiesse, Johnson, Canham.

Form Guide (Last 5)

York City – WLDLL – Stevenage (H), Morecambe (A), Farnborough (A), Carlisle (FA Cup – 4QR) (A), Forest Green (H).

Woking – LDWLL – Leyton O. (LDV - R2) (H), Hereford (A), Burton (H), Crawley (A), Notts C. (FA Cup - R1) (A).

Related Links

Catch A Match / Away Travel
Travel Information for Woking

YorkCityFC.com Prediction League

Official Woking FC Website
Cardswab
The Cardinalls
KRE on the Net
WFC Message Board

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