Five Things We Learned from York City's 4-1 defeat at Curzon Ashton

Reacting to criticism appropriately is a trait that footballers must master quickly in the modern era. For those with a thin skin, fragile ego or quick temper, though, that is easier said than done.

Knowing how to behave when being lambasted by your own supporters has troubled several City players in the past, while trudging off following an unacceptable, on-pitch display. Young rookies, like former loan signing Kyle Cameron, have been vilified for smirking when faced with a torrent of abuse, while Jake Hyde was the subject of much derisory mirth when he appeared to live up to his surname by strategically positioning himself close to the players’ tunnel at Dagenham, so he could make a quick getaway before his team-mates suffered the full wrath of the Minstermen faithful.

Every personality in a football team is clearly going to behave differently in such scenarios but it is rarely wise to respond in aggressive fashion. Far better, following a display like the one witnessed at Curzon Ashton, to hold your hands up in apology with a complementary facial expression that conveys the same message.

That can be difficult in the face of upset spectators spitting venom but, judging by his post-match interview, Martin Gray’s sentiments were probably made just as forcibly in the Tameside Stadium’s dressing room afterwards and those in the stands had paid good money to watch such “disgusting” fare, which the City manager was quick to acknowledge. Adriano Moke – the last City player off the pitch – did object to two young visiting fans, who were remonstrating from the stand, but got himself into further trouble with his reaction to online goading.

The social media explosion in recent years has made “trolling” a popular past-time for some and its potential for repeatedly inciting their chosen target can become very provocative and wearing for those on the receiving end. Moke, with his love for the likes of Twitter and Instagram, often engages with supporters through that medium which, along with his emotional retorts, makes him a prime candidate for such treatment and he doesn’t always strike the right chord with the manner in which he expresses himself during difficult times.

For somebody who enjoys the distinction of having his own song regularly belted out by the Minstermen faithful – a level of adulation that is not normally commensurate with a sixth-tier side – Moke’s dismissal of one on-line taunt with the phrase that “your (sic) just a fan” prompted internet outrage from many of the droves of supporters who continue to turn out in their numbers to watch a club that has, in recent times, reached its lowest, on-field ebb. Worst was to follow when the former Glenn Hoddle Academy graduate challenged another critic to “meet up and bring tools or whoever.”

Moke’s comments belie the normal level of maturity you would expect from a 28-year-old and it is unusual that somebody who has been in the football industry for so long has not developed a better coping mechanism in such situations. Back in 2004, when current chairman Jason McGill was on the board, goalkeeper Paul Crichton was sacked after derogatory comments made to supporters during a 4-0 defeat at Gravesend.

The fine and warning about his future conduct, issued by the club, seems the right level of disciplinary censure in this incident and, hopefully, there can be a level of growing up on all sides moving forward.

2 The part-time talent pool is worthy of the Minstermen’s close attention

City’s two debutants could not have experienced more contrasting fortunes against Curzon and their performances posed interesting questions regarding recruitment policy, particularly during the course of a campaign. The displays of Alex Kempster and Marcus Williams must, of course, be kept in context.

Kempster may fall short of the heightened expectations he has aroused following a midweek hat-trick for the reserves and his excellently-taken consolation goal at Curzon. Likewise, Williams might prove a more astute acquisition than was suggested by his underwhelming first appearance for the Minstermen.

But, nevertheless, part-time rookie Kemspter looked better prepared to make an impression when he was hailed off the bench early in the second half than when Williams – a 31-year-old with more than 300 professional appearances to his name - was thrust into the action just seven minutes in following Alex Pattison’s injury. Whereas Kempster has benefitted from regular action this term at Northern League Whitley Bay, Williams had not played for Guiseley – bottom of the table in the division above - since September and it showed.

City fans have seen enough now this term to draw the conclusion that a player’s ability is not distinguished by their part-time or professional status, with match fitness certainly not guaranteed by the latter. Other factors like a commitment to the correct levels of conditioning and the right mentality to succeed have not been the preserve of full-time outfits at National League North level either.

Before Williams, the struggles of others such as James Gray and Daniel Rowe have highlighted the perils of bringing in players who lacked on-pitch minutes at their previous clubs. Kempster, meanwhile, who went on to also hit the bar and tee up a late chance for Hamza Bencherif, could just prove a reminder of the gems that can be uncovered at semi-professional level, following the likes of past success stories at Bootham Crescent such as Martyn Woolford, Richard Brodie and Ben Purkiss – with the first two bringing sizeable, six-figured sums into the club.

3 Fifteen cautions means Connor Brown DOES need to change his game

The combative defender has reasoned that his 15 yellow cards this team are a by-product of him “living on the edge” and managers are often loath to rein players in whose chief attribute is their aggression. But the forceful full-back must channel that side of his game properly and, having his name taken after being awarded a free kick in Lancashire, didn’t make any sense.

An anomaly that means National League bookings do not count at National League North level will spare Brown the normal three-game suspension for reaching such a high number, but his caution tally, with 11 fixtures still left of the regular season, is not that of a player who has simply been wronged by officials and, with the play-offs hopefully on the horizon, his tendency to commit himself instinctively into tackles when winning the ball is not always certain, in the manner he did for Curzon’s first-half penalty, could prove costly one way or another.

4 City keeper Adam Bartlett’s spot-kick prowess might see him end the season a hero

The former Darlington net-minder is proving himself an excellent reader of minds at spot kicks, following up his debut save at Alfreton with a brilliant stop to deny Curzon forward Niall Cummins. It is a skill that could bear real fruit in any finely-balanced, future play-off ties, which need to be determined by a shoot-out.

5 Martin Gray’s mentality irritation is justified by results against the division’s lesser lights

Following defeat against 13th-placed Curzon, City have now dropped points against every team in the bottom half of the table other than whipping boys North Ferriby, this weekend’s opponents Alfreton and next month’s hosts Nuneaton. In contrast, they have beaten all but two of their fellow top-seven sides and, with this heaviest defeat of the campaign coming just seven days after the 1-0 victory over leaders Salford, manager Gray’s complaints about the team’s mentality problems cannot be easily disputed.