YORK City boss Jackie McNamara believes he still retains the support of chairman Jason McGill as the club sit 16th in the National League standings after ten games.

McGill had previously described the Minstermen’s start to the season as “poor” after five points had been taken from the opening five fixtures, when he reiterated the need for a top-five finish to justify the investment made into the playing squad.

City have since enjoyed heavy home wins over Woking (4-1) and Solihull (4-0), but also extended their interminable run without an away triumph to 27 matches, leaving McNamara’s men six points adrift of the play-off places and three above the relegation zone.

But McNamara has stated that no discussions have taken place regarding his position at Bootham Crescent and, when asked whether he still enjoyed the support of McGill ahead of Saturday’s home match with Dover, answered: “Very much so.

“If we need somebody, we look at things together and, with his backing, find the best way to strengthen the team, but pressure is always there in this job. I put it on myself and the team, because I expect us to be up there and, hopefully, we will be at the end of the season.

“Regardless of whether we’re playing Tranmere, who have spent a lot of money over the summer, I won’t change my approach from match to match either. I go out to win and expect to win.”

McNamara went on to reveal that he is still pursuing striking reinforcements, but has not identified the right target yet, adding: “It has to be somebody that will strengthen us, but we’re crying out for somebody to get in on goal over the top of defences with pace and power.”

The City boss defended his team, meanwhile, against accusations of “pantomime” theatrics from Tranmere boss Gray Brabin following his ten-man team’s 0-0 draw in North Yorkshire on Tuesday night.

“He mentioned the word pantomime when Jake Wright was injured and stretchered off with four stud marks in his shins,” McNamara pointed out. “Jake’s also out for the next game, so maybe he (Brabin) was watching something else.”

McNamara also reckons his team can get back on the goal trail against Dover.

The Minstermen have failed to net in back-to-back games, following last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Torquay and Tuesday night’s 0-0 Bootham Crescent stalemate.

But City have never fired blanks in three successive matches under McNamara, who had also seen his side score four times against both Woking and Solihull Moors in the two home matches preceding Tranmere’s visit.

Mid-table Dover will arrive in North Yorkshire with the National League’s worst defensive record outside of the bottom-six places and, having watched footage of the Kent club’s matches this season, McNamara is predicting goal opportunities for his team.

The City boss said: “Forest Green lost 4-3 against them last weekend but they had a lot of chances and it’s important we use space properly and move the ball quickly to cause them problems, while making sure we don’t get caught on the counter attack.”