York City boss: Now win promotion for crocked Kerr

12:00pm Monday 26th March 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

YORK City manager Gary Mills has challenged his players to win promotion for crocked midfielder Scott Kerr.

The talismanic vice-captain’s season has been ended prematurely by a torn cruciate ligament, sustained following Luton midfielder Keith Keane’s robust challenge during the FA Trophy semi-final, second leg clash at Kenilworth Road.

City went down 2-1 at home to play-off rivals Southport on Saturday but Mills feels Kerr’s injury should give his team an added incentive to be successful during the remainder of the season.

Mills said: “Scott Kerr has got a tear on his cruciate ligament, which is bad news. He won’t play again this season and I’m gutted for him and the team because he’s been absolutely magnificent for us.

“He’s been an inspiration and a big, big player and he wanted it badly this season so we have got to do it for him now. We’ve got to make sure we can get success because he deserves that.

“Injuries like this are the downside of football and it looks like he will be out of action for a few months now.”

Mills was left ruing missed chances on Saturday with Trophy hero Matty Blair guilty of squandering an early opportunity and then another on 88 minutes after Jamie Reed had reduced the deficit following second-half goals from Southport pair Andy Owens and Tony Gray.

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The City chief added: “I’m disappointed to lose a big game but, having said that, I thought we were the better side. I couldn’t see them scoring but they did and then the second goal looked a bit sloppy to be honest.

“Southport are Southport. They do what they do well and deserve credit for that.

“It’s not down to luck that they are where they are in the table. You have to break them down and, when we did, we didn’t take our chances.

“If you don’t hit the target, you don’t score and that’s cost us in the end. After getting the winner at Luton, Matty was the culprit on Saturday with two gilt-edged chances that he didn’t take.”

Reed had earlier seen a first-half effort surprisingly ruled out for offside, while many expected that play might have been stopped during the build up to the visitors’ second goal when City’s Ben Gibson and Southport’s Russell Benjamin collided and lay on the floor.

But Mills directed no blame for the defeat at the officials, saying: “I couldn’t tell if Reedy’s goal was offside from where I was but, if it wasn’t, there’s nothing we can do about it now and it wasn’t the reason why we didn’t win. Maybe the referee might have stopped play for their second goal as well, but I’m not going to clutch at straws.”

Despite losing to Southport, Luton’s 1-1 home draw against Grimsby at the weekend means the Minstermen will leap above the Bedfordshire side with a win at bottom-of-the-table Bath tomorrow.

A victory would see City ahead of Luton on goal difference, having played the same number of games ahead of the two teams meeting at Kenilworth Road on Friday night.

Mills added: “My lads never give up. We’ve won so many points late on and, at two goals down on Saturday, we nearly did it again and should have done it again.

“It’s disappointing that we didn’t but it’s not the end of the world and it won’t stop us getting in the play-offs. The situation is still in our hands if we win our games in hand.

“We are gutted and the result will have given Southport a lift but we’ve got to take it on the chin and, if we win tomorrow night, we go back into the top five so we’ve got to get on with our jobs.”

Reed’s 12th goal of the season means the striker has now netted in five of his last seven appearances and, on his contribution, Mills said: “It was hard for him up there but it was a good finish. He kept going and you always feel that Reedy has a chance of getting you a goal. We just couldn’t get another.”

Mills’ decision to play three defenders Lanre Oyebanjo, James Meredith and Ben Gibson together in midfield from the start sprung a surprise but he stood by his selection, saying: “I played James Meredith and Lanre Oyebanjo there again because they are attack-minded players, even when they play at full-back.

“The only player that people might not have expected in midfield was Gibbo but I know what’s he’s capable of and he did well for me in there. We then had to switch about a bit but I would do the same again if I had to, because I thought the three of them did well in there.”

City will assess left-back Jamal Fyfield’s fitness ahead of the trip to Bath after he limped out of the action after 56 minutes and Mills is also waiting to receive the paperwork to determine whether new signing Eugen Bopp will be available.

He said: “Eugen’s international clearance never came through for Saturday so playing him wasn’t an option.”

Comments(29)

long distance depressive says...
12:15pm Mon 26 Mar 12

Now do your bit by beating Bath with a team balanced to WIN the game from the start.

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ian923 says...
12:33pm Mon 26 Mar 12

GM is right that this defeat is not the end of the world.However Southports goal difference has until recently been -4 which means they let quite a few in( 18 more than us) and they have scored 9 less than us but look where they are in the table now! We should have been capable of beating them comfortably.Bath is a vital game now and it will not be easy against a team battling for survival(these games never are).Then it's Luton and I wonder how many of our players their axeman Keane will target this time. Strong referee needed in that game! 4 points from these two games won't be bad and is a minimum requirement. 6 points will be fantastic.We have to wait and see. Come on City!

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old_school_minsterman says...
12:35pm Mon 26 Mar 12

Not enough creativity in the centre of the park. Defenders defend and its very hard for them to become used a different position.

If Moke and Paddy Mc had started York would have won this game with ease.

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Richie H says...
1:12pm Mon 26 Mar 12

It was all down to them taking their chances and us missing ours. I wouldn't mind them in the play-offs. We can play much better but doubt they could

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iandwightbenton says...
1:34pm Mon 26 Mar 12

So....I like Jeff but do we need a new pyhsio ! ?

"Boost for Scott Kerr as term-ending ligament damage ruled out" .Jeff Miller’s first prognosis is that the Minstermen’s vice-captain will be back for the crucial end-of-season run-in.

Urgh...guess again !!

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I'm off to Bath tomorrow to hopefully see a midfield.....

If the likes of Tonne, Bopp, Brown and Potts are not good enough to step into Kerr's shoes why are they in our squad ?

Get Paddy in and get a no nonsense player back next to him

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Tug job says...
1:34pm Mon 26 Mar 12

Richie H wrote:
It was all down to them taking their chances and us missing ours. I wouldn't mind them in the play-offs. We can play much better but doubt they could
If we do make the play offs, I'd fancy us against Wrexham, Southport or Luton but not against Mansfield or Fleetwood. If Fleetwood can win the title and we can avoid Mansfield in the semis, we have a good chance to go up. But, first, we have to make it into the play offs. COYR

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OLD - HEAD says...
1:35pm Mon 26 Mar 12

Of all the players to be out for the rest of the season, Scott Kerr is the biggest loss. The only genuine football league standard midfielder, that we have. No other player at York City has the midfield qualities of Scott Kerr, certainly not converted defenders. The Manager has now got to swallow his pride and select one of his many midfield signings in a midfield position. We now face four tough games Bath (a) Luton (a) Newport (a) Fleetwood (h). I suppose that 12 points is too much to expect (although it would be great if we could get them). A more realistic tally is a minimum of 6 points, but anything less and we could find the play-offs a step too far this season. The only glimmer of hope is that in the past we have always bounced back after a bad result. So I remain more hopeful than confident.

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The Legend Of Keith says...
2:18pm Mon 26 Mar 12

OLD - HEAD wrote:
Of all the players to be out for the rest of the season, Scott Kerr is the biggest loss. The only genuine football league standard midfielder, that we have. No other player at York City has the midfield qualities of Scott Kerr, certainly not converted defenders. The Manager has now got to swallow his pride and select one of his many midfield signings in a midfield position. We now face four tough games Bath (a) Luton (a) Newport (a) Fleetwood (h). I suppose that 12 points is too much to expect (although it would be great if we could get them). A more realistic tally is a minimum of 6 points, but anything less and we could find the play-offs a step too far this season. The only glimmer of hope is that in the past we have always bounced back after a bad result. So I remain more hopeful than confident.
If you look at our results this season, we have not strung 4 wins together all season. In fact, we've only got 3 wins on the bounce twice.

I predict W, D, D, L and then a very nervy run in.

This has been Yorks biggest problem this season, we just can't get a run of good results going. I know we only lost 1 game in 12(?) but too many have been draws. Wrexham, Fleetwood and Mansfield have all had runs of 6, 7, 8 wins on the bounce.

Consistancy boys and girls, it's what wins you the league and it's what we don't have.

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iandwightbenton says...
3:34pm Mon 26 Mar 12

I think our FA Trophy run has had an effect on the league results even with our huge squad.

While we were sleeping Wrexham are 22points ahead of us and Fleetwood 31 ahead.

Both have had 'great' seasons where we "were" having a good season which is currently under threat of becoming a disappointing season if we can't bounce back into that top 5.

A run is required until the end of the season which would also see us take that momentum into the play offs where anything can happen (you don't have to be the best team to qualify for the play offs to win the play offs).

Let's begin with a few goals tomorrow night !

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joejamestom says...
3:37pm Mon 26 Mar 12

We should do OK on our travels our performances in front of big crowds at home have not done us any favours. Something GM needs to address in his young squad & the expectations of the crowd who have clearly been led to believe better results are our right with the talent of the squad. Getting the psychology of the team right is clearly GMs role and when he has got it right the team have really ticked for 90 mins, unfortunately we have tended not to be quite there and often it has taken until the first couple of subs into the second half to perform. The manager knows his players and has clearly set out to make 433 our signature formation and any player not able to make it work or perform in it his way has not had a lot of game time. Without Walker on form it has not always come off & Reedy in particular is better in a 442 so hopefully GM will feature it a bit more when we have little joy with 433. Anyway he is the best manager here since I have been watching City so any calls to replace him are just a reaction to frustration & disappointment.
If we have to do another season of BSP football then the squad will have few if any legacy players & will be totally of his making though the budget might be constrained. Cmon city play with style & freedom!!

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Eric Style says...
4:03pm Mon 26 Mar 12

Not sure about moke starting, he's more of an impact sub, tends to give the ball away a lot too and cant win much in the air! paddy should have been in from the start however.
No point mulling over it, lets push on and win at bath! fingers crossed by friday evening we'll have forced luton out of the playoff zone

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old_school_minsterman says...
4:56pm Mon 26 Mar 12

Eric Style wrote:
Not sure about moke starting, he's more of an impact sub, tends to give the ball away a lot too and cant win much in the air! paddy should have been in from the start however. No point mulling over it, lets push on and win at bath! fingers crossed by friday evening we'll have forced luton out of the playoff zone
Yeah, lets keep Chambers in the team instead! Gives the ball away whenever he gets it, too frightened to shoot, has lost all confidence to run at defenders, cant beat the first man with his corners/free kicks and looks totally dis-interested! Definately what we need at this stage of the season! Could push us towards promotion with his performances since Christmas!!

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THETELLEROFTALES says...
5:02pm Mon 26 Mar 12

After seeing that first 11 against Southport I'm afraid as far as I am concerned the jury is out regarding Mills.
York must have more mid-field players on their books than Man Utd!
How much is this costing the McGills every week?
Reaching a cup final near the end of the season has not done York's prospects in the league any favours. Most of these young players will probably never get the chance to play at Wembley again so-
1. Will they risk injury?
2. Will they go in for 40/60 balls?
3.Will they literally bust a gut to get York into the play-offs?

Please please please York City, not another 'nearly season.'

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redbluelion says...
5:41pm Mon 26 Mar 12

never mind mills saying lets do it for kerr...do it for the fans that go watch..week in week out..don't you think we the fans deserve a bit more respect..we should be beating these teams easy..play tha right formation..and maybe we will..stop this chopping and changing crap..it dont work..we need to get a settled team now..stop signing players we don't need..and you don't really want to play..

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redbluelion says...
5:41pm Mon 26 Mar 12

never mind mills saying lets do it for kerr...do it for the fans that go watch..week in week out..don't you think we the fans deserve a bit more respect..we should be beating these teams easy..play tha right formation..and maybe we will..stop this chopping and changing crap..it dont work..we need to get a settled team now..stop signing players we don't need..and you don't really want to play..

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duffy says...
5:54pm Mon 26 Mar 12

Let's be honest if we can't beat Bath with any formation we might as well give up now. However time to move on after the weird Saturday team. No doubt Paddy will be recalled, probably alongside Brown and Meredith in midfield, we get the 3 points to set us up for the big game Friday.

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YO1 says...
7:42pm Mon 26 Mar 12

old_school_minsterma
n wrote:
Eric Style wrote:
Not sure about moke starting, he's more of an impact sub, tends to give the ball away a lot too and cant win much in the air! paddy should have been in from the start however. No point mulling over it, lets push on and win at bath! fingers crossed by friday evening we'll have forced luton out of the playoff zone
Yeah, lets keep Chambers in the team instead! Gives the ball away whenever he gets it, too frightened to shoot, has lost all confidence to run at defenders, cant beat the first man with his corners/free kicks and looks totally dis-interested! Definately what we need at this stage of the season! Could push us towards promotion with his performances since Christmas!!
You obviously didn't bother going to the semi final against Luton then! The lad changed the game. Get off his back, as GM says, with his ability, he would still be playing for Leicester if he had more confidence. Attitudes like yours and the mindless boo boys who only go to home games undermine him, an England C international, and the team. Thats why our record away is a true reflection of the ability of this team. Some of the home supporters are a disgrace.

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YcfcBooth says...
11:00pm Mon 26 Mar 12

The pessimistic fans out there need to get a grip we've not even played Bath yet but there are people complaining about it! Let the players focus on the game not the frustratingly negative attitude many of you seem to have adopted. I am adamant we will make the play offs so long as we let Mills do his magic. One loss to Southport ( a current play off side for a reason) and chaos ensues; call yourselves supporters , back the team and we'll make it. Come on City!

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JamesHinch says...
7:57am Tue 27 Mar 12

Thought Chambers did well second half against Southport. It was Blair who missed two sitters and gave the ball away for their first!!

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duffy says...
8:27am Tue 27 Mar 12

YcfcBooth wrote:
The pessimistic fans out there need to get a grip we've not even played Bath yet but there are people complaining about it! Let the players focus on the game not the frustratingly negative attitude many of you seem to have adopted. I am adamant we will make the play offs so long as we let Mills do his magic. One loss to Southport ( a current play off side for a reason) and chaos ensues; call yourselves supporters , back the team and we'll make it. Come on City!
We actually have 11 points out of the last possible 25 points at home. Not just about one game.

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rogue84 says...
8:42am Tue 27 Mar 12

it appears that Gibson won't play tonight through injury so that's where Paddy comes in - then it also seems Fyfield might not make it, so Mez slips back into defence and Brown comes in - exactly as duffy as predicted.
tonight is the time to give Blair a completely free role, let him just run everywhere, shoot on sight policy, get infront as early as possible.

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skilly says...
8:44am Tue 27 Mar 12

YcfcBooth wrote:
The pessimistic fans out there need to get a grip we've not even played Bath yet but there are people complaining about it! Let the players focus on the game not the frustratingly negative attitude many of you seem to have adopted. I am adamant we will make the play offs so long as we let Mills do his magic. One loss to Southport ( a current play off side for a reason) and chaos ensues; call yourselves supporters , back the team and we'll make it. Come on City!
Well said, Southport boast a very good away record in terms of games won, as many as Wrexham's 12. We on the other hand have only 7 away wins. Hopefully we can be more ruthless in the final run in, starting tonight. COYR

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Sir Alex says...
8:50am Tue 27 Mar 12

Plenty of the season left to make it truly memorable and I have faith in Mills and the lads to make it happen, despite the setbacks. The reaction of the crowd on Saturday at the end was very supportive and recognised we were unlucky. I think the lads will do better away (can't remember when we last lost away??) and that will be the key to fifth place at least.
Good luck tonight, but we should not need luck against a woeful Bath side to come away with a comfortable 3 points.

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Tug job says...
9:09am Tue 27 Mar 12

Sir Alex wrote:
Plenty of the season left to make it truly memorable and I have faith in Mills and the lads to make it happen, despite the setbacks. The reaction of the crowd on Saturday at the end was very supportive and recognised we were unlucky. I think the lads will do better away (can't remember when we last lost away??) and that will be the key to fifth place at least. Good luck tonight, but we should not need luck against a woeful Bath side to come away with a comfortable 3 points.
We last lost away at Gateshead in September. Skilly, don't forget that Wrexham and Southport have both played a lot more away games than we have - 6 of our final 9 fixtures are away from home.

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Some old bloke says...
9:59am Tue 27 Mar 12

Sorry to nit-pick Duffy (I actually enjoy the cut and thrust of your contributions) but how have we managed to get 11 points from the last 25? If there are 3 points available in each game , surely it must be from 21, 24 or27?

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RooBeck says...
10:07am Tue 27 Mar 12

Three points for us to-night and the big lads of Braintree to do the big lads of Southport and we will be smiling to-morrow!!(Bet set-pieces into the danger area are a treat between these two!!) Good luck to Darlo to-night - hope they can stay up but it's looking curtains for them at the moment but Wrexham might be on a downturn? Also, it would be handy if GM's old team could dent The Mariners?!! Will Bopp get FA clearance in time for to-night and what is the position with Jason Walker's fitness?? Whatever happens, we have to stay positive as fans and the team have also to stay positive and confident and certainly put Saturday's result behind them. COYR.

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duffy says...
10:48am Tue 27 Mar 12

Some old bloke wrote:
Sorry to nit-pick Duffy (I actually enjoy the cut and thrust of your contributions) but how have we managed to get 11 points from the last 25? If there are 3 points available in each game , surely it must be from 21, 24 or27?
Whoops yep sorry.

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old_school_minsterman says...
11:09am Tue 27 Mar 12

YO1 wrote:
old_school_minsterma n wrote:
Eric Style wrote: Not sure about moke starting, he's more of an impact sub, tends to give the ball away a lot too and cant win much in the air! paddy should have been in from the start however. No point mulling over it, lets push on and win at bath! fingers crossed by friday evening we'll have forced luton out of the playoff zone
Yeah, lets keep Chambers in the team instead! Gives the ball away whenever he gets it, too frightened to shoot, has lost all confidence to run at defenders, cant beat the first man with his corners/free kicks and looks totally dis-interested! Definately what we need at this stage of the season! Could push us towards promotion with his performances since Christmas!!
You obviously didn't bother going to the semi final against Luton then! The lad changed the game. Get off his back, as GM says, with his ability, he would still be playing for Leicester if he had more confidence. Attitudes like yours and the mindless boo boys who only go to home games undermine him, an England C international, and the team. Thats why our record away is a true reflection of the ability of this team. Some of the home supporters are a disgrace.
Boooo! Rubbish!

Get him off! Booo!

And I did go to Luton game, played well when he came on. Cant afford players to play well once in 8 matches and absolute turd in the other 7.

Booooooo!

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old_school_minsterman says...
11:14am Tue 27 Mar 12

JamesHinch wrote:
Thought Chambers did well second half against Southport. It was Blair who missed two sitters and gave the ball away for their first!!
Haha spec-savers me old fruit! He was shocking. Their fans were actually laughing at how bad he was!

When York made the double sub he moved faster than he did all match to get off the field and onto the safety of the benches! Think he was begging to come off!

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