5 Things We Learned from York City's 3-0 defeat at Altrincham

The first half in Cheshire was a passive affair with the ball almost passed to death as neither side committed the necessary numbers forward to unlock two deep-lying defences. But, after the break, whereas Altrincham exerted more pressure on City in the final third, the visitors seemingly continued to prioritise a containing game that eventually and, somewhat inevitably, saw the back-line buckle.

Disturbingly, the Minstermen did not manage one single goal attempt after the break and that statistic can largely be explained by the manner in which, off the ball, City formed a square line of three midfielders sat right on top of a back four that should have been brave enough to push further up the field and instruct the likes of Kallum Griffiths, Lewis Hawkins and Adriano Moke to advance the same number of yards in front of them. Instead, it was far too easy for Altrincham to carry the game to the visitors whilst, on the ball, City’s front two of Jordan Burrow and Joe Ironside were all too often left isolated and outnumbered when asked to fend off scraps.

2 The team are desperately in need of an all-action, box-to-box midfielder

It might be like comparing chalk and cheese, but Jesse Lingard’s superb cameo outing for England in yesterday’s UEFA Nations League victory over Croatia highlighted an aspect of City’s game that has been sorely missing for several seasons – the ability of a midfielder to impact proceedings in both penalty boxes. Following his 73rd-minute introduction, Lingard was crucially clearing a Croatian chance off the line and, just moments later, he was at the other end of the pitch to tap in England’s equalising effort in a 2-1 triumph from a matter of inches.

In contrast, the long periods of games that pass without a Minstermen midfielder setting foot in the opposition’s 18-yard area, never mind getting as close to the goal-line as Lingard, are telling. Yes, we’re talking different levels completely, but the same principles translate to a game at any level of football and City do not threaten sufficiently attacking wise from the centre of the pitch.

Only two goals – one for the currently-injured Simon Heslop and one from Adriano Moke – have been scored by recognised central midfielders this season. Moke gives the impression that he has the stamina levels to provide forward thrust, but he rarely takes the necessary gambles to open up teams and plays as if he has a string attached to his back that constantly draws him back to the security of those middle areas of the pitch. Former Hibernian attacker Alex Harris, who has been benched for the last three games, is perhaps another candidate from within the current squad to fulfil such duties, but he is yet to convince that he is the kind of player who can be a prominent operator for a full 90 minutes.

3 Adam Bartlett is facing too many shots at his goal

Saturday’s 3-0 defeat represented the seventh successive league game that the Minstermen have failed to muster more shots on target than their opponents and that period includes contests against fellow bottom-six strugglers Southport and Nuneaton. The sorry sequence has coincided with Adam Bartlett’s rise to the top of The Press Player of the Year standings.

Sadly, his climb up the leaderboard has not been due to the overworked City keeper’s heroics securing points for his team, but more down to the fact that his saves have prevented the further inflicting of damage, especially during man-of-the-match displays against Altrincham and Telford.

Since City’s 4-2 September success over Guiseley, Bartlett has had to contend with 40 shots at his goal, compared to the 26 his team-mates have mustered at the other end. Familiarly, Bartlett was left as the only man to beat on four occasions in the second half at Alty, thwarting John Johnson and Josh Hancock brilliantly, but also succumbing to free shots at his goal from the latter twice.

During those last seven National League North games, Bartlett has managed to save 62.5 per cent of the opposition’s on-target efforts, but City’s conversion rate at the other end of the pitch is still a modest 23.1 per cent. The City keeper both needs greater protection from those in front of him and his attacking team-mates to demonstrate a similar level of ruthlessness that he is being subjected to.

4 The Minstermen have got to get Joe Ironside firing

It is perhaps easy to forget having mustered just two shots on target in 90 minutes – a Jordan Burrow header cleared off the line and a tame Josh Law effort - that City now possess a player who has just one superior in terms of goals scored over the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons at National League North level. During that time, Joe Ironside has plundered 39 league goals – a tally only bettered by Danny Rowe who, incredibly, rattled in 45 during just one campaign as Fylde were crowned champions.

Still only 25, getting Ironside on board is an opportunity that the Minstermen mustn’t waste while, likewise, the on-loan Kidderminster forward must demonstrate that he is dedicated to making a big impression during his Bootham Crescent stay. Unfortunately, just two games into his switch from Aggborough, he will not now be eligible to play against his parent club in this weekend’s FA Trophy trip and, for that reason, given his recent lack of match-time at Kidderminster, it was disappointing to see him substituted just before the hour mark at Altrincham ahead of a fortnight break from action.

With his proven track record at sixth-tier level, it is to be hoped that Ironside will be at the fulcrum of City’s attacking plans on the return to league action and will be given better service to demonstrate his potency.

5 Jon Parkin is having little success as an impact sub

One player who did manage to plunder a league goal more than Joe Ironside last season is the Minstermen’s 36-year-old veteran. But, reduced to a bit-part role at Bootham Crescent since he last started a game at Hereford on September 1, Parkin’s influence at the club has immeasurably waned.

By his own admission, the former Championship campaigner needs to be playing regularly to attain the fitness levels he needs to be at his most effective. Following a 72nd-minute outing at Altrincham, he has now failed to net in his last seven appearances from the bench and, in total, has only managed to hit the target twice all term in 14 appearances as a substitute.

Both player and club must now be considering whether, if Parkin is not deemed first-XI material, it is in either’s best interests to have him sat in the dugout.