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James Meredith on battle alert for York City (From York Press)
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James Meredith on battle alert for York City
12:20pm Thursday 10th May 2012 in Sport
By Dave Flett, Sports reporter
James Meredith has insisted York City’s impressive record against play-off final opponents Luton is no guarantee of success at Wembley a week on Sunday.
The Australian utility man has played in nine of the ten non-League meetings between the two teams and finished on the winning side six times, while only losing once – last season’s 5-0 League defeat at Kenilworth Road when the visitors finished the game with nine men and Michael Ingham’s early red card saw defenders Chris Smith and Greg Young don the goalkeeper gloves.
Meredith starred in the play-off semi-final win against the Hatters two years ago, as well as this season’s last-four clash in the FA Trophy.
But, according to City’s Antipodean ace, prevailing on past big occasions does not mean another win is inevitable and nobody at Bootham Crescent will be under-estimating their May 20 opponents.
He said: “We’ve done the job against Luton a number of times but they are a good team so we can’t rely on that. We have got to approach the game like we always do and not take anything for granted.”
Meredith does believe, however, that Saturday’s FA Trophy final against Newport County could help dissipate any nerves his team-mates may harbour about playing at the world-famous stadium prior to facing Luton in the Blue Square Bet Premier promotion decider eight days later.
Said Meredith: “It could be a good advantage.
“You don’t know what you are going to get from a lot of people who have the anticipation and the big build-up to Wembley. So, having already been there the weekend before gives us a slight edge in terms of what to expect.”
Meredith, a member of the Minstermen who lost to Oxford United in the 2010 play-off final, also reckons the Wembley surface and Luton’s preferred style of football could play to the strengths of Gary Mills’ side.
He added: “I don’t want to speak too soon, like I did before the Oxford game, but I feel we have a team capable of fronting up in League Two next season. I believe, with the way we play, that we are the best team in the league in good conditions and that’s why, against the better sides like Luton and Fleetwood, we really turn up and show what we can do.
“So, hopefully, on a surface like Wembley with the quality, experienced players and hunger and determination we have got in the team, we can go on and possibly do something special.”
Whether Meredith lines up at left-back or in the centre of midfield under the arch remains to be seen.
Recently he has alternated between the two positions, starting at full-back in Monday’s play-off semi-final at Mansfield before moving forward later in the tie.
Despite City’s semi-final clash being in the balance until the 111th minute of the second leg at Field Mill, Meredith revealed he felt it was unlikely penalties would decide matters, adding he had a premonition Matty Blair would grab the winning goal.
“It crossed my mind the game might go to penalties but I didn’t believe it would,” Meredith said. “I thought somebody would get a goal in extra-time and Blairy was the hero of the day again.
“I thought he might be and I’d just said to him I felt he would get one more chance. He smiled at me and, what do you know, the ball popped to Jason Walker, he lifted one straight in the middle of the six-yard box and it was a brilliant header to win the game.”
Having negotiated a bumpy, dry pitch at Field Mill, Meredith is now relishing the opportunity to finish the season on Wembley’s hallowed turf, saying: “The pitch was slightly difficult at Mansfield.
“I don’t think they did a very good job of keeping it nice and neat to play the way we want but we overcame that.
“Now, we are going to Wembley twice in one season, which is a massive achievement.”
SHOOT-OUT pressure will not deter York City’s James Meredith from steppng up to the spot at Wembley.
Both of the Minstermen’s contests under the arch – the FA Trophy final against Newport County on Saturday, followed by the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final duel with Luton on Sunday, May 20 – will need to be decided on the day.
Meredith told The Press he would not hesitate to step forward for a spot-kick if required.
Prior to Monday’s play-off semi-final, second leg tie at Mansfield, City manager Gary Mills revealed his squad have been practising penalties in preparation for a possible shoot-out.
Said Meredith: “I would definitely volunteer. Penalties, for me, are just about nerves and, if you keep your composure, I think anybody in the game can stick the ball in from 12 yards.”
Meredith is also not fazed about a potential switch in position.
Still a relative newcomer to midfield play, he has been a revelation there since being pitched into the heat of the battle for February’s Trophy quarter-final win at Grimsby.
On his thoughts about considering the switch as a long-term option, the former Shrewsbury and Telford full-back said: “I quite like the holding role.
“The manager put me in there against Mansfield when the game opened up a bit because he knows I can get on the ball and turn.
“When they were missing out the midfield at the start of the game, it does not really utilise my strengths being in that position. Somebody like Pars (Dan Parslow) is better in there to win headers and the second balls but when the game opens up – and against teams like Luton – I think the role suits me a bit more.
“It’s all about experience and learning how to play the position. I don’t know if there’s a future for me there.
“We’ll have to see what next season brings and see what the gaffer decides to do in the Trophy final and play-off final.”
Comments(31)
OLD - HEAD
says...
4:41pm Thu 10 May 12
oldmanvecrayke
says...
4:48pm Thu 10 May 12
C'MON CITY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!
YorkCityLuke
says...
4:57pm Thu 10 May 12
Sir Alex
says...
4:59pm Thu 10 May 12
Hope its worth it - could be a glorious talking point for years to come so no way I'm missing this. :)
arsene.about.york
says...
5:12pm Thu 10 May 12
Sir Alex
says...
5:14pm Thu 10 May 12
arsene.about.york wrote:Are you sure you're in the right end?
I rang last night at about 5-30 for 3 tickets and was told that there were only about 4 blocks remaining. The girl asked if I had had trouble getting through as it had been hectic all day. So don't wait too long Sir Alex
duffy
says...
5:19pm Thu 10 May 12
arsene.about.york wrote:Ticket sales have been appalling. At this rate we will sell less for the play off than the Trophy final.
I rang last night at about 5-30 for 3 tickets and was told that there were only about 4 blocks remaining. The girl asked if I had had trouble getting through as it had been hectic all day. So don't wait too long Sir Alex
coolyman4
says...
5:23pm Thu 10 May 12
Alan Alger's latest tweet says we are being out sold at over 6:1.
I personally dont care as we get 25% of gate receipts and there will be less pressure on us.
RooBeck
says...
5:23pm Thu 10 May 12
YorkCityLuke wrote:Agree 100%. Of course there will be far more Luton supporters present - they are only 25/30 miles from the stadium and they will only be forking out the once for Wembley, but as I see it, there will be a lot more of them to cry into their orange clad replica shirts after we gain the victory!! New manager or not, we have out performed them this season and if we prepare properly, approach with a confident, upbeat air and not allow what Oxford did to us two years ago (bossed and bullied us in the first 25 minutes and where we conceded twice), then with the City lads giving it their all, we should be fine! COYR.
Let Luton worry about us - we're the better team, we finished higher in the league, we've beaten them time and time again. Ok, nothing is a given and I'm sure it will be a tough match - but we really shouldn't be worried about it.
arsene.about.york
says...
5:35pm Thu 10 May 12
Sir Alex wrote:Yes as there is one phone number for us and another for Luton unless she is Bull----- ing me. But why?
arsene.about.york wrote:Are you sure you're in the right end?
I rang last night at about 5-30 for 3 tickets and was told that there were only about 4 blocks remaining. The girl asked if I had had trouble getting through as it had been hectic all day. So don't wait too long Sir Alex
smalon
says...
8:21pm Thu 10 May 12
Heres hoping you thrash them.
Rimpole
says...
9:23pm Thu 10 May 12
On a personal note... any Selby bods fancy sharing travel costs?
Rimpole
says...
9:23pm Thu 10 May 12
On a personal note... any Selby bods fancy sharing travel costs?
Rimpole
says...
9:23pm Thu 10 May 12
On a personal note... any Selby bods fancy sharing travel costs?
Rimpole
says...
9:23pm Thu 10 May 12
On a personal note... any Selby bods fancy sharing travel costs?
Rimpole
says...
9:24pm Thu 10 May 12
DQ Sussex
says...
9:52pm Thu 10 May 12
nicko75
says...
10:40pm Thu 10 May 12
Peppa07
says...
11:46pm Thu 10 May 12
ycfc
says...
7:48am Fri 11 May 12
paintitred
says...
8:42am Fri 11 May 12
the Newport keeper banned from playing in the final due to international clearence. it seems he may yet play but only if we support them in thier case. the cheek of it
http://www.southwale
sargus.co.uk/sport/f
ootball/newportcount
y/9700153.Battle_to_
play_Darlow_still_no
t_over/
yorkiemike
says...
9:45am Fri 11 May 12
None of this was in the budget so it`s a bonus.So we could afford £50k and it would be a big thank you to the supporters.
I`m not having a go at the Chairman,I think he`s been great but as they say hindsight is a fine thing!
Will be there for both finals and I think we might see a surge for tickets early next week.
Tug job
says...
10:19am Fri 11 May 12
ycfc wrote:The numbers we take will not be an embarrassment as all York City fans accept and acknoweldge we are not the best supported club in the country, unlike all the racist coin-chuckers who are posting on this site pretending to be City fans; I think you will find that we will do our talking on the pitch rather than through coumn such as this. By the way, if you want some real banter you'd all be better off logging onto red and blue.net - it's quite easy to find, just enter that name into a search engine (if you even know what o ne of those is). Staying down in Balham overnight, see you tomorrow, folks, COYR
If we don't take 10k it will be an embarrassment, our support is no where near as big as we think!! However this isn't being pushed get articles in the press everyday about getting tickets radio adverts and if you are going persuade a friend to go with you because at this rate we will be laughed at by most watching the final!!
keepitup
says...
1:27pm Fri 11 May 12
boyerforengland
says...
1:39pm Fri 11 May 12
Wouldn't miss either Final for the world - these are good times for City and need to be enjoyed no matter what the monetary cost.
We've got a great team and should fear no-one.
RooBeck
says...
3:50pm Fri 11 May 12
boyerforengland wrote:Last years BSBP Play-off final was at Man City's Etihad Stadium and League 1 & 2's were at the Theatre of Dreams!!(Due to the Champions League final taking place at Wembley). Personally, as much as Wembley is iconic and a magnificent venue, I would have thought that Old Trafford, Etihad, Anfield, Villa Park etc., would be the best venues for both catering for BSBP fan bases and generating a better atmosphere. It would also be a much shorter trip over the Pennines for us and other northern clubs! Leave the non-league FA competitions like the FATrophy/FAVase at Wembley but look to the other top venues for the BSBP play-offs!! COYR.
Interesting question about how many southern supporters would make the trip up north. Prompts me to wonder if anyone knows how many attended the 2011 play off final between Luton and Wimbledon - held at Old Trafford i believe?
Wouldn't miss either Final for the world - these are good times for City and need to be enjoyed no matter what the monetary cost.
We've got a great team and should fear no-one.
boyerforengland
says...
10:26pm Fri 11 May 12
boyerforengland wrote:Just found the answer to my own question. 18195 attended the 2011 final in Manchester.
Interesting question about how many southern supporters would make the trip up north. Prompts me to wonder if anyone knows how many attended the 2011 play off final between Luton and Wimbledon - held at Old Trafford i believe?
Wouldn't miss either Final for the world - these are good times for City and need to be enjoyed no matter what the monetary cost.
We've got a great team and should fear no-one.
Given that Luton alone will take many more fans to Wembley this year than last years combined attendance just proves, in my opinion, how distance to travel affects many fans willingness to attend even the most important of matches.
Two points to take from last years pitiful attendance of southern fans at a northern ground:-
a) City have nothing to be ashamed of by being well outnumbered by Luton this year - if the final was up North then the roles would, in all likelihood, be reversed.
b) It definitely does give southern teams an advantage by playing the final at Wembley and I would agree with RooBecks suggestion above that a more central venue would be much fairer and create a better big match atmosphere.
Having said all that there's only going to be one winner on the 20th and that's the mighty mighty minstermen!
b)
jumbojet
says...
2:24am Sat 12 May 12
jumbojet
says...
2:46am Sat 12 May 12
keepitup
says...
9:49am Sat 12 May 12
NottsExile says...
12:35pm Thu 10 May 12
I believe that they can do the job on both days but we must all be at our best - dare I say that Newport have nothing to lose and their sense of injustice over the goalkeeping thing will rev them up a bit.
BELIEVE