SCOTT RHODES reckons York Acorn ARLC need to adopt a more professional ethos in the first-team ranks if they are to compete regularly in amateur rugby league's flagship competition.

Acorn were promoted back to the National Conference League premier division last year after an heroic effort in the division one play-offs, but they could hardly have been given a tougher start with their three opening games coming away from home against Lock Lane, treble winners Leigh Miners Rangers and, this Saturday (2.30pm), Siddal - the top three in the early table.

According to Rhodes, the standard in this elite tier has also risen markedly since the last time the Blue and Golds were there in 2013 - in no small part down to the leading clubs' dedication on and off the field.

But he is hopeful his young players, few of whom were regulars three years ago, will learn lessons and adapt quickly.

"I knew it would be tough," said Rhodes, who won't be helped this weekend by the unavailability of captain Tom Hill - one of his players proven at this level.

"I just want to go and compete in games, and scores can look after themselves. It's all about competing and learning and getting better as individuals and as a team.

"I think Lock Lane came as a massive surprise to some of the players - how good you have to be at this level.

"It shocked them, that defeat. We didn't turn up in the right frame of mind - individual preparation wasn't great, the warm-up was slack. You can't get away with that in this league as teams will punish you. You have to work for everything you get.

"We were a lot better at Leigh Miners so hopefully that shows they're already learning.

"You more or less have to go in with pro or semi-pro attitudes - that's the way it's got to be.

"We've just introduced weight programmes this year, for example. These leading teams have been doing that for years, and many of their players have been in junior pro academies doing it for years, and it shows.

"It's a big learning curve for us but this is what it's coming to these days at this level."

Rhodes said that goes for himself too - another difference from when he took the reins in the 2010-11 winter season.

"You go down to coach a bunch of blokes who come through the door and it's partly a social event," explained the former York City Knights captain, who has now presided over two promotions at Thanet Road either side of a relegation.

"Then the team win enough games to get promoted and now you've got to have a totally different mindset.

"Everything about this level has changed. You have analysis, video sessions on your players and opposing players, stuff that pro clubs do. The standard is a lot better and it takes a lot more of your time. You wouldn't have believed it five years ago.

"I think a lot of it is to do with (pro club) academies that are taking players as youngsters and then letting them go.

"Leigh Centurions have lost their academy team and many of those players have gone back to Leigh Miners.

"Last week we were playing good, well-coached, strong, young players, many of whom have been in a professional environment.

"We're finding it hard to compete physically. Some of my players aren't in that professional mindset - it's more a social thing - but obviously we're a good team as we got promoted and now it's become bigger and better. You get some players who are into it and some who aren't. That will have to develop if we want to compete with the big boys.

"But, you know what, it's a great challenge.

"There are teams in this league that struggle but the top teams are fantastic clubs - and we've got three of them in the first three games.

"But you have to do your best and the more the lads learn the better they will get."