Midfield battler Scott Kerr keen to drag York City out of rut

11:40am Wednesday 28th November 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

SCOTT KERR believes it is time for players to “step up” to bring York City through the most testing period he has experienced in his time at Bootham Crescent.

As the 2-0 defeat against Torquay United last Saturday extended the Minstermen’s winless run to seven matches, the midfielder urged club and fans to stick together if they are to successfully negotiate this difficult spell.

Having experience of a struggling side – he joined manager Gary Mills at York with former club Lincoln City then floundering at the bottom of League Two – Kerr knows how important it is for the squad to pick up a victory as soon as possible.

“It’s hard. It’s like winning,” he said. “Once you start winning, it comes easily and you win and win and win. It’s the same with losing. You get in a rut and it becomes hard to get out of.

“When you cross that white line and you are out there, it’s a lonely place at times and the crowd are on your back and it’s hard but we have got to stick together as a team and a club.

“The fans have got to stay behind us and we go to Rochdale. That’s not going to be an easy game, but we travel well and we need three points.

“We need to pick up the three points sooner rather than later. It is a test at the moment. We need to regroup this week, put a few things right at training this week and go to a tough place in Rochdale.”The Torquay defeat means City have won just two of ten npower League Two matches at Bootham Crescent this season but Kerr is struggling to put his finger on why performances differ so markedly home and away.

“It just doesn’t seem to be happening for us at home at the moment. I don’t know what it is,” he added. “I don’t think it’s pressure. Obviously the fans are going to show their disappointment. They pay their money, they are going to show their feelings.

“It’s just hard for us. We have just got to try to get that win and then we can kick on. You need to win your home games and we are not doing that.”

One of the keys to turning home form around could be better communication between the players on the pitch.

With City instantly looking to have more direction when Kerr appeared as a second-half substitute, and began barking orders at players, the former Scarborough player conceded the side had to talk more on the pitch.

“It helps. If you are telling people, sometimes you can be their eyes,” he said. “You are telling them to ‘turn’ and it gives them that extra second to get away from defenders rather than having to get it and have a look.

“We do need to talk more. We don’t talk enough as a team. That’s a fact but we are all grown men in there and I think people need to step up and grow a pair.

“It’s hard but we have got to stick together and I am sure that win will come.”

Comments(35)

Wilyorkuk1983 says...
1:53pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Quote of the decade "I think people need to step up and grow a pair". This team is certainly head and shoulders above the team that got relegated all those years ago to the conference, so for that reason I am confidence things will come right.

Just a thought but is Movember not a good month due to oversized facial hair?

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rogue84 says...
2:02pm Wed 28 Nov 12

I agree with Wilyorkuk1983, having somebody in the squad who's willing to just say it as it is can only be a good thing. captain's like that have proved to be some of the best, eg. Keane, Shearer, Adams at the highest level, but even looking back at City with such figures as Paul Stancliffe.
Kerr's the most vocal skipper we've had in many years and there's no doubt we are a better team with him starting.
All the fans want to see first and foremost are the players giving as much effort as we would ourselves, Kerr definately fits the bill.

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bartsimmo says...
2:37pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Respect!

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Phil, Leeds says...
2:40pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Astonishing that no one can understand why we aren't as effective at home. Well, let me tell them - it's down to negative 451 formations and tactics and playing the players in their wrong positions. Not rocket science, be more attacking at home and use players in their best positions to get the best out of them.

And, yes, maybe the players will now be able to concentrate on football as we move into December instead of preening those ludicrous moustaches!

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billoofyork says...
4:06pm Wed 28 Nov 12

if we drop smith (which needs to be done ASAP) and restore mcgurk to the starting XI then kerr should be captain and lead by example.
maybe some people on here will disagree but i am tired of sloppy performances from smith and the fact he seems to blame others around him rather than encourage.
massive fan of scott kerr and hope he starts on saturday.
we need to stay positive and support our team through these frustrating times. i have no doubt that GM will turn it around

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ycfcfooker says...
4:38pm Wed 28 Nov 12

INGHAM

DOIG SMITH
BANJO FYFIELD

KEARNS KERR
BLAIR PADDY
WALKER CHAMBERS


subs:
Mussy
McGurk
Rodman
Potts
Parslow
Johnson
Challinor

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openallhours says...
4:42pm Wed 28 Nov 12

“It just doesn’t seem to be happening for us at home at the moment. I don’t know what it is,” says Kerr.

That fills me with confidence. Like the words from the song, 'There may be trouble ahead'.

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redbluelion says...
4:55pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Get some players on here who like to talk the talk..but when it come walk the walk they don't seem to have the no-how to do it..its what happens on the pitch on a saturday that counts.

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Some old bloke says...
4:58pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Our away record is better than Rochdale's home record (just) so no reason why we shouldn't look forward to another good away performance, especially if we take a good crowd (hopefully about double the 377 that went to Port Vale, and that was impressive enough).
No complaints about ycfcfooker's team except that I'd probably start with Reed instead of Chambers, so long as the rest of the team remember to give him the ball.

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OLD - HEAD says...
5:47pm Wed 28 Nov 12

I dont expect there will be many changes at Rochdale. Midfield needs shaping better, and I think that Fyfield needs a rest. Ingham, Oyebanjo, Doig, Smith, Blanchett, Kerr, McLaughlin, Kearns, Blair, Reed, Rodman. (4-3-3).

Subs - Musslewaite, Parslow, Fyfield, Challinor, McGurk, Walker, Chambers.

Its a better team going forward, but we need to be brave and win there.

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billoofyork says...
5:50pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Ingham
Banjo
McGurk
Parslow
Fyfield
Paddy
Kerr
Kearns
Blair
Walker
Reed
4-3-3

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duffy says...
6:10pm Wed 28 Nov 12

The line from Kerr shows where he thinks the problem is and he is probably right. Far too many times this season teams have roughed up our lightweight team right from Wycombe on the opening day.

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PhilTopping says...
10:45pm Wed 28 Nov 12

OLD - HEAD wrote:
I dont expect there will be many changes at Rochdale. Midfield needs shaping better, and I think that Fyfield needs a rest. Ingham, Oyebanjo, Doig, Smith, Blanchett, Kerr, McLaughlin, Kearns, Blair, Reed, Rodman. (4-3-3).

Subs - Musslewaite, Parslow, Fyfield, Challinor, McGurk, Walker, Chambers.

Its a better team going forward, but we need to be brave and win there.
Seen Blanchett three times this season and he's been terrible everytime. Hes not anywhere near a league footballer, will put money on him dropping into the BSN at the end of the season. Also think we need to find a way of including Walker. Ok, he can't score. But he does work hard and can link up play.

Having said all that, Reed will get dropped on Saturday and we'll be back to the tried and trusted Mills team.

Ingham

Parslow
Smith
Doig
Fyfield

Kerr
Kearns
Blair

Chambers
Walker
Rodman

People can get as upset as they want about this team. But its nailed on.

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RooBeck says...
8:59am Thu 29 Nov 12

We could do with another Scott Kerr character in the Back Four! Somebody, to keep them all on their toes and alive to all situations - not to lose concentration and drift, like we did with Torquay's first goal on Saturday and nearly did again shortly afterwards, only for a last-ditch block by Jon Challinor to save a certain goal! We are at times, too quiet and not mentally tough enough(certainly at home), to grab games by the scruff and force the pace - quick, forceful starts which make the opposition think they are up against it and with the added benefit of bringing the crowd into play!! COYR.

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ycfcfooker says...
12:59pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Fingers need to be pointed at the midfield too for that matter, service nowhere near what it was last year, very defensive minded

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paintitred says...
1:35pm Thu 29 Nov 12

kearns recalled by peterborough.

options

plod on without and cope

recall

Smith/Bulllock??

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duffy says...
1:50pm Thu 29 Nov 12

paintitred wrote:
kearns recalled by peterborough. options plod on without and cope recall Smith/Bulllock??
Another blow except for the few fans we have who would not know a good player if they saw one. Smith has to come back now.

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paintitred says...
1:57pm Thu 29 Nov 12

yh , agree no other option really.

Kearns was at times the only spark likely grab a game by the scruff off its neck.

expect smith to be recalled by the days out.

there is a if howwever i and stand to be corrected.
but iam sure multi month loans can not be recalled in the 1st month of the agrreement.
so question is how long has smithie been at luton??

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quakerwood says...
4:21pm Thu 29 Nov 12

POSH have recalled Kearns!!!!

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Sir Alex says...
4:37pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Step up Michael Potts. The lad has never let us down - look at the vital goal he set up at Cambridge last season.

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paintitred says...
5:09pm Thu 29 Nov 12

If players can not be recalled in the 1st month of the loan deal then it will dec 7th before he returns to be if Millies wants a recall.

like sir Alex step up Pottsy. this could be your chance. but recon it will be pars back in the 1st 11.

another set back but it was always likely to happen at some point. Its a massive two fingers to those who didnt apprciate his efforts. not good enough for you but clear good enough for his championship parent club.
thanks for your effort Danny and all the best in the future.

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ian923 says...
5:12pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Shame Kearns has gone but agree with Sir Alex that Pottsy be given a chance even if he is available for transfer.He's a 100%er and never had a real chance to have a run in the team.No point bringing J. Smith back yet-we have plenty of midfielders but Kearns is a big loss.

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ycfcfooker says...
5:18pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Smith belongs in the conference I agree give pottsy his chance been here 18 months how many games has he started? Two???

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long distance depressive says...
5:59pm Thu 29 Nov 12

A certain McLaughlin has been sat on the bench recently, needs to start and hopefully Potts will get some game time.

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Phil, Leeds says...
8:05pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Big blow to lose Kearns, quality at our level. Doubt whether Bullock is good enough nowadays and getting Smith back to replace Kearns would be a negative. Agree that Potts should be given a chance.

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nomadic85 says...
8:39pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Pottsy is miles behind the level required. Anyone seen a training session or two could tell you that.

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kirkbride1979 says...
9:30pm Thu 29 Nov 12

we should play 4-2-3-1

Ingham

Oyebanjo
Mcgurk
Parslow
Fyfield

Kerr
Mclaughlin

rodman
Blair
Chambers

Walker

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dazthecat says...
10:09pm Thu 29 Nov 12

kirkbride1979 wrote:
we should play 4-2-3-1

Ingham

Oyebanjo
Mcgurk
Parslow
Fyfield

Kerr
Mclaughlin

rodman
Blair
Chambers

Walker
I completely agree with you there. No way it will happen but I think it gives the best of both worlds, protection for the back 4 which mills is obviously keen on (with good reason I think) and let the 4 do their work up top, with full backs supporting. It's the way to play the game at the top level at moment but you just don't see it in lower leagues

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ycfcfooker says...
10:19pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Too complicated 4-4-2 everyone knows their job

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alimount says...
10:31pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Don't think Rochdale will be on on Saturday. I'm in south Manchester and did a pitch inspection on my garden this evening and it's not currently playable! On the hills I fear it will be more severe! Anyways, this will give us enough time to sort out the annual set piece competition to establish the newest club corner taker, perhaps they might even do a practise session too! Can but hope...

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dazthecat says...
11:51pm Thu 29 Nov 12

ycfcfooker wrote:
Too complicated 4-4-2 everyone knows their job
Is that how Luton play?

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Maltkiln says...
7:07am Fri 30 Nov 12

dazthecat wrote:
ycfcfooker wrote: Too complicated 4-4-2 everyone knows their job
Is that how Luton play?
dazthecat .... there is nothing whatsoever in what ycfcfooker has been saying on here which suggests he is a Troll, so please grow up & pack it in with your stupid, childish comments which you have continued with on many of these threads and are becoming tedious !

I, for one, am disappointed that Kearns has gone, but trust in GM that come the end of the season our realistic goal will have easily been achieved (mid-table safety).

Keep the faith !

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Some old bloke says...
9:59am Fri 30 Nov 12

As alimount says, the match looks doubtful. I live a few miles from Rochdale and my back lawn has been frozen for two days. The weather forecast isn't great either so I'd certainly recommend checking in the morning before setting off.
If the match is on, City fans will be put in one of the all-seater stands, costing £20 (or £14 for old gits like me). They have standing terraces but I think they're just for home fans, or so their web site seems to be saying - I haven't actually been to the ground since City last played there in 2003.
Regarding Potts, I haven't seen him in training but he's always done well when he's played in matches - isn't that what counts?

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dazthecat says...
11:34am Fri 30 Nov 12

Maltkiln wrote:
dazthecat wrote:
ycfcfooker wrote: Too complicated 4-4-2 everyone knows their job
Is that how Luton play?
dazthecat .... there is nothing whatsoever in what ycfcfooker has been saying on here which suggests he is a Troll, so please grow up & pack it in with your stupid, childish comments which you have continued with on many of these threads and are becoming tedious !

I, for one, am disappointed that Kearns has gone, but trust in GM that come the end of the season our realistic goal will have easily been achieved (mid-table safety).

Keep the faith !
Well I disagree with you on that, most comments he makes read like a Paul Whitehouse parody of a Yorkshireman, But fair enough I'll drop it.

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ycfcfooker says...
12:52pm Fri 30 Nov 12

You can tell I'm from Yorkshire just from the way I type?

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