Master-blaster Neil Thompson wants York City to refine a killer touch starting with an 'old pals' smack tomorrow.

The power-laced player-coach is convinced there's enough talent in the City ranks to propel a promotion push. And he should know after three times being on the gleeful end of promotion drives.

First though City have to school themselves more in the fine art of winning.

That entailed everyone being as ruthless as he was resolved to be when City entertain a Colchester United side featuring three of his former Ipswich Town team-mates.

"We have to learn how to win games," declared Thompson. "That's the most important thing of all.

"Last season we played a lot of good football, but we never got the results we deserved.

"There are times when you have to battle, because that will then get you results. When you are not able to stroke the ball around then scrapping it out is what will get you points."

Crucial to City's improved well-being has been the switch to three centre-backs, insisted Thompson, the left-sided force in that trinity.

Since the switch was initiated at Wrexham in the last month of last season City have lost just one of eight outings and that was at Preston on the first day of the new term.

Enthused Thompson: "When we won promotion to the Premiership at Barnsley we always had a spare man at the back. It gives teams so many problems.

"We are doing the same now at City because each week the players are becoming more tuned to it. You all have to be comfortable in possession of the ball and everybody is here.

"I don't think there is anything to fear in this division. We can give any side a decent game of football. We've shown that in the two matches we have won on the trot. But now we have to keep it going."

Ironically, City tackle Colchester on the verge of clinching their first three-match winning League sequence for almost exactly three years.

Not since September 1995 when City vanquished Swansea, Walsall, Hull City and Wrexham have the Minstermen posted more than two straight wins in the Second Division.

The visit of the U's - promoted via victory in last May's play-off final at Wembley - offers the triple-slam chance.

Thompson was determined City would take it at the expense of brothers Dave and Neil Gregory, plus former Welsh international Geraint Williams, contemporaries of Thompson at Ipswich.

"I remember them all well from my days at Ipswich. Neither Dave nor Neil could cement a place in the team even though Dave always did well," recalled City's player-coach.

"He scored a hat-trick on his debut against Watford and the next week he was left out."

Thompson now has the task of keeping out Gregory and Co.

"That's another thing pleasing feature of the past two games - not letting in a goal. If you don't concede there's every chance of getting a good result," he said.

TOMORROW'S SQUADS

York City: Mimms, McMillan, Hall, Tinkler, Jones, Thompson, Connelly, Pouton, Cresswell, Woods, Garratt. Subs from Reed, Jordan, Tolson, Rowe, Himsworth.

Colchester United: from Emberson, Haydon, Greene, Wilkins, Betts, Duguid, Buckle, Williams, D Gregory, Sale, N Gregory, Abrahams, Forbes, Lock, Dunne, Stamps.

Kick off: 3.00pm

Referee: Steve Baines (Chesterfield).

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