York City Knights to lift club gloom against Blackpool Panthers at the Woodlands Memorial Ground (From York Press)

York City Knights to lift club gloom against Blackpool Panthers at the Woodlands Memorial Ground

10:56am Saturday 4th July 2009

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STAND-IN York City Knights coach Mick Ramsden believes his troops can still beat Blackpool Panthers – despite the side being gutted by suspension to five key players.

The reserve grade coach takes one-off charge for tomorrow’s trip to the Woodlands Memorial Ground in what will be a stern test of the Knights’ promotion ambitions following a dramatic week.

Ramsden, who has not been involved with team selection, is without player-coach Paul March, club captain David March, team captain Paul Hughes, Danny Ratcliffe and Rob Kelly.

They, along with director of rugby James Ratcliffe, were stood down from first-team duties earlier this week for breaching club discipline while enjoying corporate hospitality at a Leeds Rhinos match.

Chris Williams, Steve Lewis, Scott Woodcock and Tom Stancliffe are among those expected to feature in a much-changed match-day squad as the Knights look to consolidate their second place status in Championship One.

Ramsden, who has only been at Huntington Stadium in his new role for a week, realises the Knights are up against it.

But he said it is a chance for squad members to step up and show they belong in the first team.

“It’s a bit of a strange situation to be in and it will be a hard game,” he said.

“Blackpool are playing pretty well at home so we are up against it but I am confident the lads who have come in to replace those suspended can do a good job.

“I am confident we can get a result.

“Most of the work for the week has already been done by James (Ratcliffe). He has passed me the tip-sheet and I have had a good read through.

“These players are a significant part of the side, especially the March brothers and Paul Hughes.

“They are key players but those who are coming in have been itching to get a place. It is a chance for them. They are of first-team standard and every week a team has been chosen and a lot of players have been disappointed. This is a big game for them.”

Ramsden took a star-laden reserve side on Thursday night, which included all the suspended players, and watched as they put up 70 points on Dewsbury.

He said he was impressed with the attitude of the suspended men and reckons the disciplinary furore could serve to bond his side together tomorrow.

“I wasn’t sure how they would react (to playing in the reserves) but they came in and were really professional,” he added.

“I was really impressed with the performance.

“It will definitely be difficult for us (at Blackpool) but sometimes when you are up against it you find that players pull together even more.

“It’s unfortunate this has happened the week after the Oldham game but the players are really determined not to let things slip.”

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