NEW York City coach Luther Blissett swept into York City and immediately set his sights on the top.

But before City boss Terry Dolan or chairman John Batchelor start fearing a coup from the former Watford striker, Blissett just wants the club to reach new heights.

Having been part of the heyday at Vicarage Road when the Hornets, under the guidance of Graham Taylor, defied all odds to climb from the old Division Four to the top-flight, Blissett has a good insight into what it takes.

Added to this, Blissett's impressive footballing CV also includes a spell in Italy's Serie 'A' with AC Milan and 14 caps for England.

Blissett told the Evening Press: "I can see something new and exciting starting here.

"I think the promotions I enjoyed at Watford can definitely happen again here. With good planning, organisation and getting the right players we have the chance of doing it.

"This club has had a rough period over past three or four years, but I think the time is right now for it to bounce back. Hopefully this season will see the start of that.

"Next season ideally what we would like is to build on the 14th position we achieved last season and to be pushing for a play-off place.

"If you are pushing for a play-off place and you get a bit of luck you can suddenly find yourself in an automatic place early on and then you can dig in and try to keep it going as long as you can.

"All you can ever do is aim for the top.

"You have got to aim for the very top, but if you fail by one and finish second, then we would take that. We've got to try to aim to get promoted. We may not get it but in the position we are, in the aim has got to be this."

Blissett's role within the coaching set-up will see him working alongside current coach Adie Shaw and under the guidance of Dolan.

However, Blissett's record in front of goal will mean he will pay special attention to the forward line.

"I will meet all the players on July 3 when training starts up again," he said. "From there we can work out any programmes for individuals that need to be done, but generally it will be a team thing.

"As a coach you can see what needs to be improved, while your experience of playing in that position gives you that little insight.

"The various managers I've worked under - Harry Redknapp, Graham Taylor, Bobby Robson and Dave Sexton among others - means hopefully I can bring aspects of what they have been good at and what I've felt has been beneficial to York City. "If we do that I'm sure we will get a level of success."

Dolan confirmed the role Blissett will have in the set-up and said he is looking forward to the new relationship.

"With Luther and Adie they will be coaching the squad together," he added. "I'm still going to be out on the training ground, but if you have got two coaches you let them coach.

"We've sat down and had a chat about next season and are looking forward to it. I'm encouraged with what I've heard."

Updated: 11:47 Tuesday, May 28, 2002