AN UNDERFIRE Jackie McNamara has admitted the 6-1 thrashing at Gateshead has heaped pressure on his job as York City manager.

“Jackie Out” chants were heard at the International Stadium as the Minstermen’s unbeaten start to the campaign capitulated in embarrassing fashion during the team’s fourth fixture on Tuesday night.

Fans also called for McNamara’s dismissal as City tumbled out of the Football League last term, but the ex-Dundee United chief has promised to do all he can to win back their support, starting with a reaction during Saturday’s trip to pre-season, title favourites Forest Green.

He said: “The scoreline has put pressure on the likes of myself, because of the size of it and I’m well aware of that. The buck stops with me and I have to accept that.

“I brought the players in, so anything that goes wrong at the club - whether that be players making mistakes or dropping the ball – then that’s down to me. It was a bad night all-round and you have to take all the stick and bad press that came with it on the chin.

“A bit of it is a follow-on from last season but, if that’s the way people feel, all I can do is my best to try and win games and keep them happy. The fans have been very patient this season and last season and I want to reward them for that.

“Forest Green is another difficult game but, if we do things in the right manner, we will be OK and it’s important we show we can bounce back straight away.”

McNamara added that he had been caught by surprise by his team’s second-half collapse in Gateshead when five goals were shipped by a team that had only conceded twice before the short journey north.

“I didn’t see it coming, especially at half-time,” he admitted. “I thought we were back in the game, but everything that could have gone wrong in the second half did.

“It was painful looking back at the goals and we learned a lot of things that need to be worked on, but we’ve looked solid defensively so, hopefully, it was just a blip and we will respond accordingly at Forest Green.

“They’re a great group of lads who get on really well off the field by talking a lot and helping each other, but the most important thing is doing that on the pitch when things go against you.”

Goalkeeper Scott Flinders’ place in the team came under further scrutiny with another unsure display in midweek and McNamara will consider whether to hand summer signing Luke Simpson his City debut at the New Lawn.

Assessing Flinders’ form, the City boss reasoned: “You put yourself out there and, if you make a mistake as a keeper, it’s a goal.

“Unfortunately, that’s been the case with a few goals and that opens him up to criticism. He made a mistake for the first goal at Gateshead by running into Matt Fry and that set the tone for the evening.

“He then spilled another later on and he’s human. He makes mistakes, like we all do.

“I did with certain things the other night and it’s about how you learn from it and move on. He’s experienced and how you handle it is what makes you as a person, not just a goalkeeper.”

Lanre Oyebanjo, Danny Galbraith and Reece Thompson still haven’t resumed full training since their close-season injuries, whilst it is hoped that Aidan Connolly (hamstring), Fry (dead leg) and Alex Whittle (groin) will be fit to feature.

Midfielder Franklyn Clarke, meanwhile, has now served the four-match suspension he sustained playing for Dorchester last season, but is unlikely to be thrown in for a first professional start.

“I’d like to get him games with the reserves first, but they don’t start for another couple of weeks,” McNamara reasoned. “That will also help those coming back from injury and we’ll see the benefit of the reserve league.”

On-loan Sheffield United striker Jake Wright, meanwhile, could figure again after coming on as a second-half substitute at Gateshead.

“He looks a good prospect who will put himself about and knows how to make runs,” the Minstermen chief added.

City have also appointed former Barnsley defender and ex-Oldham first-team coach Keith Brown as the club’s new academy manager.