OPTIMISM is the staple diet of any football club, player and supporter as a new season dawns.

Such optimism has blossomed at York City thanks to a pre-season that has surprised as much as it has fed the hunger for hope.

When Chris Brass was unveiled as the club's new player-manager at the age of just 27 the gloom-merchants wasted little time in tipping the Minstermen for relegation.

The task facing Brass was made all the more greater by the fact he was starting his managerial career with just nine senior players on his books.

However, just weeks into his new job and the early indications all point to Brass taking to management like the proverbial duck to water.

The City supremo has impressed everyone close to the club with his man-management skills. The pass-happy principles witnessed in City's pre-season friendlies have also had fans licking their lips in anticipation of the season ahead.

His recruitment campaign has been particularly impressive, not just in terms of numbers but quality.

From a threadbare cupboard City have a well-stocked larder and all done within a carefully controlled budget.

With the season just 72 hours away, Brass was anxious not to get too carried away and admitted the hard work was only just starting.

But the new boss is clearly enjoying his new role and is revelling rather than wilting amid the pressures that management brings.

"I'm learning as I'm going along but you can see the squad is starting to take shape and I have a good idea in my head as to what the starting XI will be on August 9," he told the Evening Press.

"I certainly feel a lot more prepared than when I initially decided to take the job.

"On the first day I was sat with something like 600 or 700 names in front of me and I had to start filtering through it, even on holiday.

"What we have got is competition in every position now. There is no-one in the comfort zone, myself included.

"I'm certainly not thinking I'll be picking myself every week. If the boys are doing well I'll have no qualms about dropping myself.

"You can see people are upping their game a little bit more as they know if they don't perform there is someone else to bring in.

"That's good. That's how it should be."

Despite the feel-good factor enveloping the club, Brass was anxious to keep a lid on great expectations but indicated he won't stand for second best.

"I've not set targets," he insisted.

"It is a young squad and I want them to understand how we intend to play and wherever that takes us this season then so be it.

"If we are up there challenging that will be a bonus but I do think the quality is there for us to be definitely in the top half of the table.

"Then, with a little bit of luck, who knows where it could go?"

He added: "Realistically, if we can keep this good group of youngsters together allied with a bit of experience, then I'm sure we will do well.

"For many of the youngsters this will be the second year that they have been together, so they do start to know each other.

"They know characters, they know what each other are about but they have to keep progressing and move their careers on to the next stage.

"They know what I expect and they know I can't afford to carry anybody. There will be no comfort zone, if someone isn't towing the line they will be told and they won't be at York City, as simple as that.

"The days of thinking you just turn up and get your wage are gone and that's how I want it to stay."

Brass said he remained unperturbed by the criticism levelled at the club following his appointment from the likes of League Managers' Association chief John Barnwell, while former Bradford boss Chris Kamara is just one pundit who has ear-marked City for the drop.

"I believe you take press good and bad with a pinch of salt," said Brass.

"You have to know you are doing a good job and you will be judged on results.

"As a player, I knew when I had a good game or a bad game and I didn't need the Press to tell me.

"You have to be honest with your self and I know at the moment I am giving a good account of myself.

"I know how hard I'm working at this job and how hard all the backroom staff, the players, the board and the fans too are working.

"I don't think people outside the club know the full picture but we do."

His determination to concentrate on all matters City means Brass is refusing to waste energy fretting about the club's rivals.

"Obviously, bigger clubs like Hull and the big spenders like Northampton stick out and Yeovil have a good young team," he said.

"But in this division reputations and names count for not very much.

"You have to be organised and have a strong squad and all I can be concerned about is how we do.

"We are not so far off and I'm sure we will give a good account of ourselves.

"Hopefully, we will entertain as well and we will enjoy our football.

"There will come a time when we have to rough it but it will be interesting to see how we, as a squad of players, adapt to a different set of circumstances."