JAMES FORD admits his young York City Knights side might struggle with inconsistency this year but remained excited by their talent following the friendly against London Broncos.

The Knights lost 48-22 to the full-time Championship big-guns at Bootham Crescent but Ford was cheered by the potential his side showed three weeks before their League One season starts.

"There are a lot of young blokes and naturally there will be inconsistency at times this year," he said.

"That will no doubt frustrate me at times but they will excite me as well. If we keep improving we will give ourselves a real opportunity this year.

"For me and the coaching staff, we're confident we can improve these players considerably."

Giving example, he added of Sunday's fixture: "Harry Tyson-Wilson and Danny Sowerby, for 19/20-year-olds half-backs, looked pretty solid.

"Tommy Brierley struggled in one or two areas against Featherstone (in the friendly two weeks ago), but in one of his first touches here he's broken through the line when he had no right to do so, and that up a try.

"That's why he's here - he's got that ability to change the momentum of a game with a special play. I'm really confident he can develop into a good player."