1 City’s indiscipline will be a cause of irritation for returning boss Gary Mills

As a disciple of the late, great Brian Clough, former Nottingham Forest midfielder Mills has never abided players and teams who have a reputation for getting on the wrong side of officials. City’s current position at the bottom of the National League’s Fair Play table will, therefore, both frustrate and embarrass him.

One red card and 43 cautions from 18 fixtures is an unacceptable tally with five bookings against Chester moving the Minstermen the same number clear of the division’s former dirtiest team Sutton United. The majority of Saturday’s indiscretions were also petty with Scott Fenwick and Danny Galbraith’s names taken after retaliation, as they displayed the kind of aggression that would be better channelled into their general performances.

Richard Brodie’s eighth yellow of the season – another league high - for encroachment at a free kick was also avoidable. Winger Daniel Nti, meanwhile, was punished for clumsy play after taking a poor touch and Simon Heslop took one for the team having been played into trouble by Matt Fry.

In addition, centre-back Jack Higgins must now avoid further censure from referees to avoid a ban before the end of November, while Brodie, at his current rate, will sit out at least six games this term through suspension.

York Press: 2 The Minstermen must put thought into assigning set-piece duties

Daniel Nti assuming responsibility for corners was a surprise, given his unreliable quality on the ball. His subsequent flag-kick deliveries were below standard and Galbraith highlighted the significance of accuracy from dead-ball situations when he teed up Fry for the opening goal after swinging in a centre from the right following his introduction from the bench.

Aidan Connolly has been sorely missed in that respect, although teenage midfielder Sam Fielding did show some set-play ability when he was in the side.

York Press: 3 Mills might need to look outside of the current group to add some technical creativity

The Minstermen chief’s penchant for an attractive attacking style, based on possession play, relies on team members who are comfortable with the ball at their feet. His predecessor Jackie McNamara also wanted to instil the same principles, but didn’t seem to recruit accordingly.

Connolly, when fit, will undoubtedly fit into Mills’ plans with his ability and poise. There are not too many others, though, that can be counted on for their trustworthiness in terms of receiving and retaining possession.

Galbraith suggests such qualities sporadically but goes from hot to cold, with the regularity of a defective shower attachment. Whereas, at the start of his first spell as City manager, Mills inherited the likes of Alex Lawless, James Meredith, Peter Till, David McDemott, Danny Racchi and Jamal Fyfield, who all had their technical merits, it might not be as straightforward to get as many of the current crop of players to buy into and adopt his brand of free-flowing football.

York Press: 4 Jon McCarthy bears the hallmarks of an astute National League manager

Having served his coaching apprenticeship under wily former Kidderminster boss Steve Burr, ex-City favourite McCarthy looks well-prepared for the challenge of management at this level of the game. Renowned for his intelligence, the former Minstermen winger, who was a member of the 1993 third division play-off final-winning team at Wembley, seems to have cleverly assembled a strong outfit on a part-time budget.

A resolute defence is complemented by his busy and forward-thinking midfield, while lone-central striker James Alabi has the pace and power to unsettle opposition teams.

York Press: 5 City fans still hold Wembley-double winner Mills close to their hearts

The flag display and reception that greeted the returning manager on to the Bootham Crescent pitch was a nerve-tingling moment for the one-time European Cup winner. While the Minstermen must look to move away from the lower reaches of the table as soon as possible, there is a belief from the terraces that Mills’ background and past achievements can get the club moving in the right direction again over time.