No taking the Michael – York City boss (From York Press)
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York City boss not interested in any inquiries for midfielder Michael Potts
12:00pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in Sport
By Dave Flett, Sports reporter
Michael Potts proving his worth
YORK City manager Gary Mills is not interested in any transfer window inquiries for midfielder Michael Potts.
The former Blackburn Rovers reserve’s days looked numbered at Bootham Crescent when he was placed on the transfer list at the beginning of the season and was restricted to just two substitute outings prior to his surprise recall to the starting line-up at Rochdale last month.
He netted twice in that match and has now made the first XI during the last six games with Mills no longer looking to offload the 21-year-old Lancastrian.
“If somebody rang me up and wanted Pottsy today, I would not let them have him,” Mills revealed.
“He’s such a good professional and a good lad to have around the club.
“He knew he had to do better and was waiting for that opportunity. He does not want to let that go now and I’ve been really pleased with his performances.
“If you look at him against Burton, he closed them down and won a lot of second balls. He stopped them from getting the ball forward and was tremendous for us. He got in some good positions as well. It might have been his best performance for the team even though he got two goals at Rochdale.
“All midfielders want to score and create goals but stopping the opposition playing and doing that dirty side of the game is important as well.”
Mills also believes David McGurk, another player that has returned from the City wilderness, is forging the same central-defensive understanding with captain Chris Smith that the two enjoyed when the latter rejoined the club in October 2011.
Back then, City conceded just one goal in the first seven matches that McGurk and Smith started together.
Now, after back-to-back clean sheets at Fleetwood and against Burton Albion following the latter’s return to the side, Mills is hopeful the duo can carry on in a similar vein.
He said: “David McGurk and Chris Smith have been excellent in the last two matches.
“They did well and had a good understanding when Smudger (Smith) first came back to the club and, even though he had to clear two off the line against Burton, I did not feel they were ever going to score.
“They’ve played together for two games and kept two clean sheets and you can’t ask for more than that.”
Comments(25)
PhilTopping
says...
2:02pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Unfortunately, not so well done to Mr Mills. He's had these two super players say on their hands, fully fit, for absolutely no reason. Just goes to show, what a player does on the training ground is not so important as what they can do on the playing field. Potts and McGurk have been criminally underused for months.
YoRkIe59
says...
3:31pm Thu 3 Jan 13
YorkCityLuke
says...
3:48pm Thu 3 Jan 13
PhilTopping wrote:Mills makes the decisions which have got us promoted, won us the trophy, and established us in the league. If Mills says Potts and McGurk were not good enough (until now), he was probably right.
mmm... well done to both McGurk and Potts.
Unfortunately, not so well done to Mr Mills. He's had these two super players say on their hands, fully fit, for absolutely no reason. Just goes to show, what a player does on the training ground is not so important as what they can do on the playing field. Potts and McGurk have been criminally underused for months.
dazthecat
says...
3:59pm Thu 3 Jan 13
YorkCityLuke wrote:I'm all for getting behind mills and the team at every opportunity, but surely even the most die hard mills fan has to accept he's dropped the ball on the potts situation.
PhilTopping wrote: mmm... well done to both McGurk and Potts. Unfortunately, not so well done to Mr Mills. He's had these two super players say on their hands, fully fit, for absolutely no reason. Just goes to show, what a player does on the training ground is not so important as what they can do on the playing field. Potts and McGurk have been criminally underused for months.Mills makes the decisions which have got us promoted, won us the trophy, and established us in the league. If Mills says Potts and McGurk were not good enough (until now), he was probably right.
I could never see what pottsy had done wrong and as posted above surely its time to make it official that he's off the transfer list, he deserves that at least
OLD - HEAD
says...
4:00pm Thu 3 Jan 13
PhilTopping wrote:I have to agree, I also dont think that Gary Mills comes out of this with a lot of credit. Even the fans were saying give Michael Potts and Dave McGurk a chance, rather than leave them sitting in the stands. But GM is no different to the other Football Managers, who think that they know it all.
mmm... well done to both McGurk and Potts. Unfortunately, not so well done to Mr Mills. He's had these two super players say on their hands, fully fit, for absolutely no reason. Just goes to show, what a player does on the training ground is not so important as what they can do on the playing field. Potts and McGurk have been criminally underused for months.
TerryYork
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4:24pm Thu 3 Jan 13
dazthecat
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4:49pm Thu 3 Jan 13
TerryYork wrote:I'm not forgetting the fact he got us promoted, I will always be grateful for that, but does that mean he never ever makes a mistake?
Mills knows what he's doing. Some of you armchair managers need to put down FIFA 13 and realise this man got us promoted.
dazthecat
says...
4:54pm Thu 3 Jan 13
dazthecat wrote:And I'm not saying I'm anything less than 100 percent behind him being in charge of our team, even Alex Ferguson makes mistakes
TerryYork wrote:I'm not forgetting the fact he got us promoted, I will always be grateful for that, but does that mean he never ever makes a mistake?
Mills knows what he's doing. Some of you armchair managers need to put down FIFA 13 and realise this man got us promoted.
YorkCityLuke
says...
5:08pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Mills might not be perfect, but in this affair I can't see he has done anything wrong. He brings Potts back, and Potts performs brilliantly - Ok, Potts himself has to take a lot of credit for this, and I'm thrilled he's turning into such a valuable asset. But Mills should also take credit for developing Potts' talent, and for introducing him into the team at the right moment. Mills wasn't proved wrong by Potts performing well, he was proved right for putting him in the team (despite being on the transfer list). Maybe the threat of leaving was what motivated Potts to put in the extra work - look at what the threat of leaving did to Rodman's performance on New Years day! Similarly with McGurk - it might appear to the fans that McGurk was being held back unfairly, and that his re-introduction earlier in the year might have sorted our defense. But really, the fans don't know enough about McGurk's fitness to play. Mills may have judged (correctly or otherwise) that McGurk would not have been fit earlier in the season. He would have been criticised even more heavily if an unready TY was put into the back 4, then lost us a game.
Some fans (not targeting anyone in particular on this board) will just not accept that Mills can make unpopular, but correct, decisions regarding this team. He has been continuously criticised for things like the formation, players out of position, the style of football etc., but in general these things have been hugely successful. There are even some who (STILL!) attribute his success to 'luck', and are waiting for him to be 'found out' - I cannot understand that kind of attitude.
joejamestom
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5:11pm Thu 3 Jan 13
goreds
says...
6:12pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Potts has played the last 6 games.
What is there to moan about ?
Its a pity City fans aren't a bit more positive.
tomwillo1
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6:31pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Even AndyD
says...
6:32pm Thu 3 Jan 13
OLD - HEAD wrote:Tend to agree. But we all get it wrong sometimes and hopefully, GM will add this experience to his memory-banks and become an even better manager.
PhilTopping wrote:I have to agree, I also dont think that Gary Mills comes out of this with a lot of credit. Even the fans were saying give Michael Potts and Dave McGurk a chance, rather than leave them sitting in the stands. But GM is no different to the other Football Managers, who think that they know it all.
mmm... well done to both McGurk and Potts. Unfortunately, not so well done to Mr Mills. He's had these two super players say on their hands, fully fit, for absolutely no reason. Just goes to show, what a player does on the training ground is not so important as what they can do on the playing field. Potts and McGurk have been criminally underused for months.
duffy
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6:33pm Thu 3 Jan 13
PhilTopping
says...
6:48pm Thu 3 Jan 13
However, I suspect we just might see an acknowledgment from Mills. Something like, "I'm absolutely thrilled Michael and David have come along and proved me completely wrong." Something that sends out a message to the likes of Reed and Oyebanjo that, whilst he's as stubborn as a mule, he has the decency and humility not to pretend he's always right. Something that Ferguson did when he admitted releasing Stam too early and not signing Gascoigne. Even Ferguson knows when he's made mistakes. You don't learn unless you acknowledge.
Edsoni
says...
7:31pm Thu 3 Jan 13
If he can maintain this level he is worth his place in the squad and yes I would play him on Saturday and at this current standard would keep him in the team. Both he and McClaughlin have shown that the ability to do better than earlier in the season can be a benefit to the team. But if they regress they're not (and shouldn't be ) sure of their place.
If they slip back they should be dropped.
Both have shown that early leaps of judgement have to be revisited. Good on them.
Likewise McGurk who I think has been brought into the team at just the right time.
(I admit I wondered if he would ever get back)
To all three - keep up the good work.
Sir Alex
says...
9:39pm Thu 3 Jan 13
C'mon City let's be looking top 7.
foreveryork
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11:21pm Thu 3 Jan 13
heartbreaker
says...
8:19am Fri 4 Jan 13
Edsoni wrote:To be fair Potts was far from mediocre last season the few times he played. Weighed in with a few assists (I'd guess his assists to minutes on the pitch ratio must be pretty high!) including the pass to Walker at Cambridge which was the most crucial victory of the season at the time. Many have been saying he should have a greater run in the team for ages.
Let's be honest - Potts was pretty mediocre in his previous performances and has now for whatever reason improved immeasurably in two and a half out of four matches.
If he can maintain this level he is worth his place in the squad and yes I would play him on Saturday and at this current standard would keep him in the team. Both he and McClaughlin have shown that the ability to do better than earlier in the season can be a benefit to the team. But if they regress they're not (and shouldn't be ) sure of their place.
If they slip back they should be dropped.
Both have shown that early leaps of judgement have to be revisited. Good on them.
Likewise McGurk who I think has been brought into the team at just the right time.
(I admit I wondered if he would ever get back)
To all three - keep up the good work.
old_school_minsterman
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9:53am Fri 4 Jan 13
heartbreaker
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10:20am Fri 4 Jan 13
rogue84
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10:45am Fri 4 Jan 13
away from that, big day tomorrow for David McGurk as he becomes (by my reckoning) only the 19th player to reach 300 appearances for City.
lets put aside the discussion on Mills etc and celebrate the dedication from this fella, who's battled back from injuries, taken the field at some dark, cold, horrible places for York...and is now back in the side in the football league. he joins the illustrious list of names including, Jackson, McMillan, Wilkinson, Hall, Tutill & Canham. well done TY!
old_school_minsterman
says...
10:51am Fri 4 Jan 13
rogue84 wrote:Agree 100%. TY has been a top pro for York and has been one of the most consistant performers during his period at the club.
i would actually take brodie back, however, if he continues with his ridiculous antics of diving and elbowing (remember the incident with chris smith last season) then i don't want that to be associated with york city fc. away from that, big day tomorrow for David McGurk as he becomes (by my reckoning) only the 19th player to reach 300 appearances for City. lets put aside the discussion on Mills etc and celebrate the dedication from this fella, who's battled back from injuries, taken the field at some dark, cold, horrible places for York...and is now back in the side in the football league. he joins the illustrious list of names including, Jackson, McMillan, Wilkinson, Hall, Tutill & Canham. well done TY!
300 matches for one club is a great achievment in modern day football.
graups
says...
11:02am Fri 4 Jan 13
old_school_minstermaRichard Brodie has signed for Grimsby Town for the remainder of the season it would seem
n wrote:
On another note...rumours from the league footballing circuit seem to think we are weighing up a loan move for Richard Brodie!
tips says...
1:15pm Thu 3 Jan 13