As ever, the pre-season offers fans some degree of optimism for the season ahead. Despite wholesale changes at York City, I was confident that we could do something this season.

On paper at least, it seemed a fair squad.

Arriving at a ground like Aldershot was the first real dose of reality for the season. The first 45 minutes left most of the City faithful sombre and looking a little concerned.

Player-manager Chris Brass managed to clear two goal-bound efforts off the line in the first half. Apart from that, I thought his distribution was awful. Long balls down the line are telegraphed and non-creative.

Chris Clarke looked very slow. Together we looked like a group that had never seen each other before, never mind played together.

It will be hard at first until the players all get to know one another, but just the basics don't seem to be produced on the pitch at the moment.

Darren Dunning looked completely at a loss as to what to do next. He had very few options as outlets.

Paul Robinson and Andy Bishop ran well but the service to them was very poor. They are not the kind of players that thrive on long balls and no-one wants to see that being produced week-in week-out.

I am sick of travelling to games to see that utter rubbish. I hope we can sort it out sooner rather than later.

As the board have bizarrely given Brass a long contract it seems unlikely that he will be relieved of his duties at any point. So, let's hope he sits on the bench and learns more about tactics.

Adam Bilton,

The Mews,

St Barnabas Street,

London SW1W.

Updated: 11:06 Wednesday, August 18, 2004