September 17, 2023...Preview: Nash Seeks Early Energy As Pacific Latest Side to Visit York in Crunch Battle
(from York United FC web site)
PREVIEW: NASH SEEKS EARLY ENERGY AS PACIFIC LATEST SIDE TO VISIT YORK IN CRUNCH BATTLE
It's another monumental clash on home soil for The Nine Stripes as they look to keep play-off dreams alive.
Head Coach Martin Nash is refusing to press the panic button and has sent out a positive message ahead of this
evening’s clash against Pacific FC at York Lions Stadium.
Last week’s shock defeat to Valour FC highlighted the team’s home struggles [3-2-6 record] and the urgent need
to reverse the trend.
The Gaffer expects lessons from that match to be put to good use in order to get their playoffs campaign back on track.
"We’ve got to pick up a lot of points. If we don't get results then games start to become must-wins, right? It's not
an easy task but we're at home and we need a better effort than we gave last week," Nash said in his pre-game
press conference.
In sixth position, not only are York United five points back from second-placed Pacific, but they haven’t beaten
the former champions since September 2022.
Facing the Tridents, Nash says: "I think energy and concentration from minute one. I think that's the big priority."
The Nine Stripes will be without the services of talisman Mo Babouli, the club’s top scorer for the campaign, who was
sent off late on against Valour. Also, defender Noah Abatneh is suspended after receiving a controversial straight
red card in the same fixture.
"I'm not really worried about discipline," Nash affirmed.
"I personally don’t have a problem with Noah's challenge. I think it was an honest challenge. In this era maybe it's red,
maybe it's not. In my era, it wasn't even a foul. But it is what it is," the former Canada midfielder stated.
"We will miss him for a couple of games and then obviously missing Mo [Babouli] is big. But we've able to win games without
him this year at times so we just gotta have that concentration and effort from everyone. If we're all on the same page
and working hard then we're a tough team to beat."
This term, York United have fumbled against mid-table teams but tend to do well against clubs in the top-four. Nash remains
hopeful that his players will bring on their best performances for this must-not-lose encounter.
He said: "I'd like to think our guys can get up for any game - especially right now, because every game means everything.
Every point matters and the guys are going to have to come out flying. It's great that we have done well [against certain clubs].
Typically, against the top teams, they don’t need that extra push to get going but we can't rely on that. We've got to bring
it every game, especially when we want to make the playoffs. We're slightly on the outside looking in but I think it's
still in our court."
OPPONENT WATCH:
Pacific are unbeaten in their last three matches but have managed just one win.
James Merriman’s side are on a 5-3-3 record on the road which translates into 18 points from the 33 available.
Pacific are on a three-match away winless streak which dates back to August 7 against Halifax Wanderers.
Their danger man and leading scorer Ayman Sellouf who has scored seven goals.
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