YORK City Knights were heading into the LHF Healthplan National League Two season today as favourites for the title - but boss Mick Cook was taking no notice of the odds.

The Knights were kicking off their league campaign at home to Swinton in pole position. Bookmakers William Hill have them at 11-10, while bet365.com put Knights joint-favourites with Dewsbury at 2-1.

However, Cook has dismissed that tag, and says several teams will be challenging.

"It's all too unpredictable with the things that can happen," he said. "It's difficult to say who should be favourites. A lot of teams have recruited well and they all want that top spot.

"When we're in the second half of the season you might know more, but we're just looking to get our performances right, improve on a weekly basis and keep picking up points."

Workington and Swinton, who had the best Northern Rail Cup records of all the NL2 clubs, are third and fourth favourites respectively, while 2003 league winners Sheffield and relegated Keighley come next, both at 20-1.

Cook said: "I'm not into making predictions and I'm not sure other teams can. It's easy to say you'd do this and that and then get shot down."

He added: "I don't think there's any extra pressure coming from it.

"For us it's just a matter of training properly, getting our attitude right, getting the right game-plan and putting it into action, and hopefully the results will be positive."

Updated: 09:31 Monday, March 28, 2005