YORK City are now 30 matches into the Vanarama National League season and find themselves just two points clear of the relegation zone, after managing just seven victories all campaign.

In many ways, this season hasn’t gone to plan for York. After last-season’s 19th-placed finish, new ownership in the Summer and a flurry of transfer business provided plenty of optimism for City, who would be hoping that their newfound riches could inspire a season of success, on and off-of-the-field.

Neal Ardley’s appointment in September gave a much-needed boost to the football club after a winless start under Mikey Morton in the early stages of the season, and a long unbeaten run stretching from November to late-January gave the Minstermen a good platform to build on.

But with York level for the highest number of draws in the season and joint-lowest for the amount of league wins, how does City compare to the rest of the division in statistics?

Defending

York’s defensive performance has improved over the course of the season, particularly in a back five formation, but individual errors have been a nuisance for the City backline.

According to SofaScore, York have made 157 errors which have led to a shot so far this season, the tenth-most in the division and more than Kidderminster Harriers and Woking, who both currently sit below City in the National League table.

On top of that, York have conceded on average the seventh-highest number of goals, at 1.5 per match, a figure which has actually improved drastically since Ardley arrived at the club with it being 2.0 per match prior to Ardley’s appointment.

Another issue contributing to York’s defensive nuisance is the lack of clean sheets the club have managed to keep throughout the season, managing just five clean sheets all campaign.

This is the only one more than both AFC Fylde and Eastleigh, whilst Hartlepool United have managed just two all season.

Attacking

An issue for City this season hasn’t been just seeing out matches, but by comfortably winning matches too.

York have won a match by a scoreline of more than one goal just four time this season, yet the Minstermen have one of the more impressive goal conversion rates compared those surrounding the relegation zone.

From bottom-placed Oxford to Wealdstone in 14th position, only Southend United and Oxford boast a better goal conversion rate, with York’s being at 13%.

That is also a higher rate than play-off occupants Gateshead, with it becoming apparent that City just don’t create enough chances in their matches, despite their strikers having a good record when it comes to conversion rates.

Another factor to this could be the fact that York are the only club in the National League this season to have not been awarded a penalty, a stat which could be damaging towards the end of the season.

York also manage to score the seventh-lowest amount of goals per match, at 1.3, with City struggling to create opportunities all-season long.

League position

Rather frustratingly, York have never been higher than 17th in the National League table this season from game week five onwards. 

After slipping into a lowest 23rd position in March, the club managed to avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth.

York Press: A look at the fluctuation status of York City's league position since gameweek five.A look at the fluctuation status of York City's league position since gameweek five. (Image: Newsquest)