Win ugly if need be, says March

9:23am Friday 25th April 2008

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THE performance is not important any more - getting a win is the only thing that matters.

That was the message from York City Knights player-boss Paul March ahead of their crunch Co-op National League Two game away to Blackpool.

March has completely changed his back line as he seeks his first victory in his 12th competitive game in charge. And he says they don't have to play pretty rugby to get off the mark - as long as they get off the mark.

"Forget about the performance - we just need to get stuck in and do the hard stuff," he told The Press.

"We don't have to do anything special. It doesn't have to be a pretty win. It would be nice if it was, but we have to grind it out and make sure we come away with three points."

Fellow strugglers Blackpool won for the first time in 47 matches when they beat Workington earlier this month, a week before the Cumbrians turned York over at Huntington Stadium. The Panthers also gave Barrow a good game last time before that match was abandoned at half-time after a fire broke out.

March said: "They're going to be full of confidence, but we have to go there full of confidence ourselves that we can do a job.

"We have to prepare to win. Blackpool are well-drilled but they've got downfalls as well. I expect them to come out all guns blazing. If we can match their enthusiasm early on, hopefully we will come out on top."

Injuries to scrum-half Danny Grimshaw and winger Johnny Waldron has tied March's hands a little, but he has nevertheless chosen to run with a bigger threequarter line than normal.

Grimshaw has a back problem while the unlucky Waldron has been struggling with a recurrence of his knee injury. The club are awaiting results of a scan but fear he could be out for six weeks.

March himself is back after injury and suspension and will start at scrum-half, with Danny Ratcliffe at stand-off.

His switch sees Lee Mapals move to full-back, with March opting to run with John Oakes and the recalled Matt Danville on the wings. Those two are recognised centres but March says they can do what is needed. Young winger David Leeke is left out.

"They will add size to the wings and we can get our yardage easier. Dave Leeke is a bit unlucky but teams have been dominating him, picking him up because of his size."

There is a new centre partnership, too, with back-rowers Ryan Esders and Rob Spicer moving wider, Steve Lewis dropping to the bench.

"They will bulk us up defensively and put pressure on John Oakes and Steve Lewis to prove they should be in that position," added March.

There is also a surprise in the back row, with ex-Wakefield ace Mark Applegarth dropped. March admitted it would hopefully give him a "kick up the backside".

"Early on he was outstanding but he's fallen down a bit recently," he explained. "Hopefully leaving him out will make sure he comes back bigger and stronger."

Prop Danny Ekis completes his two-match suspension.

Panthers coach Martin Crompton is set to pick from a fully fit squad, with Casey Mayberry having recovered from a hernia problem.

Blackpool: from Munro, Gillam, Anderson, C Jones, Kirkby, Smith, Gambles, Warriner, Clough, Fairhurst, Kaye, K Ratcliffe, Wallace, Ashton, Boland, Barton, G Jones, Mayberry.

Knights: Mapals, Oakes, Esders, Spicer, Danville, D Ratcliffe, P March, Woodcock, Hughes, Buckley, Divorty, Kelly, D March. Subs: Greenwood, Endersby, Bailey, Lewis.

Referee: Peter Brooke (Hull) Kick off: 3pm

• Fringe Hull KR first-team prop Luke Menzies has joined National League Two favourites Oldham on loan for a month.

• Tickets for the Castleford v Knights reserve friendly on Sunday, in which Dwain Chambers will make his rugby league debut, can be bought from the Knights office on 01904 758234. Proceeds from these sales will go to the Knights.