JAMES FORD has called on his York City Knights troops to keep emotions in check and “play like robots” when they kick off their League One campaign at a highly charged Cougar Park tomorrow.

The Knights have endured stressful times off the field, beginning the season homeless and with the team’s training programme still being heavily disrupted as the community stadium saga continues.

Tomorrow’s clash (3pm) could well be fiery, too, against a Keighley side coached by outspoken former Knights player-boss Paul March, who was twice handed lengthy suspensions last season for verbally abusing match officials.

Ford, though, has praised his team’s discipline throughout their run of four cup matches in March and says they need to continue controlling their ardour as they begin their “primary competition” looking to upset one of the favourites for the title.

He also reckons the pressure tomorrow is on the home team.

“We need to be very professional and almost robotic in our emotions and make sure we win the penalty count,” said the rookie boss.

“We’re a group that’s very disciplined anyway, so much so I don’t understand why sometimes we get penalised.”

He added: “Sometimes as a coach you need decisions or the bounce of the ball to go in your favour. Hopefully Marchy won’t get that (tomorrow) and fortune will favour the Knights.

“Discipline may have an impact in these games. We need to make sure we’re aggressive but in complete control of our emotions throughout.”

Keighley were relegated under agonising - and controversial - circumstances last year.

They conceded a last-minute try to Featherstone to lose 26- 24 and slip into the drop zone on the last day of the season, finishing a point behind Batley, who had a surprise victory at Doncaster.

Batley, though, had previously been docked three points for breaking dual-registration rules - only to have them reinstated on appeal.

The league restructure also meant five teams came down, the Cougars being the highest ranked of those five.

Said Ford: “Keighley were very unlucky to go down. They were fifth from bottom and in any other year they may have been looking more at the play-offs than relegation.

“Paul March is doing a good job. They play an attractive brand of rugby, quite similar to us. He’s doing some good things.

“Keighley are a good team. They’ve got some outstanding players with a track record – Paul Handforth, Paul and David March, Danny Jones, Rikki Sheriffe, Paul White, to name only a few.

“The good thing for us is the pressure is on them to deliver week in week out.

“We’re going there as underdogs, taking into account the adversity we’ve been up against.

“But we’ll go quietly confident of putting in a tough perfor - mance and coming away with the points.”

Ford has some late selection decisions to make, with young hooker Harry Carter and packman Ryan Mallinder doubtful due to ankle and shoulder problems respectively.

Jack Iley, Brad Nicholson and Jay Leary stand by.

Ben Dent, last year’s top scorer, is back from injury to make his seasonal bow, coming in for Jamel Chisholm who has struggled with an ankle issue and has not yet hit his straps.

* The Knights’ Challenge Cup fifth round tie away to Leigh Miners Rangers ARLC will be played at Leigh Centurions’ Leigh Sports Village ground on Sunday, April 19, with a 2pm kick off.

The Knights’ League One match against North Wales Crusaders scheduled for that date is to be rearranged.