"I DON'T have to tell anyone how important these next two games are!"

That was York City manager Gary Mills' reply to the inevitable question.

Indeed, it only requires a cursory glance at the National League table to work out what is at stake.

The Minstermen, who are bottom-of-the-pile and six points adrift of safety, are up against North Ferriby United, who are also in the relegation zone, twice in the space of a week.

Even Paul Hollywood would struggle to come up with a tastier treat at Christmas!

The first game kicks-off away at 12.30pm on Boxing Day, the reunion takes place at 3pm on New Year's Day at Bootham Crescent.

Back-to-back wins could lift either side out of the bottom four. Back-to-back defeats, however, would make a tough job even harder.

Mills has yet to win a league game in 10 attempts since returning as City manager but the former European Cup winner believes it is only a matter of time. Boxing Day would be as good as any time to start.

"The difference between winning or losing these next two games is massive," he admitted. "After what's happened here over the last couple of seasons, there is a big cloud hanging over this football club which needs to be removed, but the beauty of football is that things can all change with a couple of good results."

Relegated from the Football League last season, York were highly-fancied to lead the race for promotion this season.

However, despite a major overhaul of the club's playing squad and a budget that was the envy of most in the National League, they have won only three games and changed managers two months ago.

"There is no doubt that we are a better team now and, whoever we play, we are going to give them a game," said Mills. "We are going into two big games with a squad that is stronger and with the team in a place where it can win football matches. If I am being honest and blunt, that was not the case when I arrived.

"At least we are now crossing that white line with a belief that we can win games because of how we have improved as a team."

North Ferriby, promoted last season, have the smallest budget in the division but are three points above York and seeking a third consecutive league win.

So it is ironic, perhaps, that Mills feels his club should now take a lead from their 'smaller' rivals.

"Everyone has written North Ferriby off this season - but that has inspired them to prove everyone wrong," he said. "Some people are writing us off now - so we just have to prove people wrong too!

"The up-coming games are not going to be 'do-or-die' but positive results can give us confidence and be a 'scene changer' going into January.

"The belief is there and the players are there now," he added. "But we have got to start seeing wins and we have got to start doing that now."