5 Things We Learned from York City's 1-0 win against Telford

The 2018/19 season has not been short on regrets but, arguably, the biggest might have been avoided by yet another delay in the move to the new Community Stadium. Despite the desperate need for relocation, nobody would have chosen a dead rubber National League North contest against Telford to bid farewell to the 87-year-old arena.

Instead, there is the potential now for Steve Watson to assemble a squad that can ensure the final days in YO30 are enjoyed watching a side intent on beginning the club’s rise back up the football pyramid with a series of uplifting displays. Watson seemed genuinely surprised by the rousing atmosphere generated by home supporters as the club finished in the lowest-ever league position.

But City supporters clearly felt the manner of the victory against Telford and the encouraging form under Watson was worthy of acknowledgement even in the context of another underwhelming campaign. It was good for Watson to experience such a reaction, as it clearly demonstrated the Minstermen’s long-suffering faithful will provide strong backing for a side they feel faithfully represents their club’s proud heritage.

Much has been made of a culture of negativity at Bootham Crescent but, until the club starts moving in the right direction, it will always be difficult to argue with such sentiments. Operating at least two levels below where City should be plying their trade, given the fan base, playing budget and past pedigree, inevitably leads to disgruntlement.

To then be struggling in the sixth tier prior to Watson’s arrival is pretty much akin to his first club Newcastle dropping two divisions and finding life in League One difficult. Having ddnured four of his five defeats as City boss in front of the club’s fans, Watson is now determined to kick off next term at Bootham in the same fashion as his team signed off this campaign.

2 The standards needed to mount a play-off challenge are not intimidating

Having seen off seventh-placed finishers Bradford Park Avenue 3-1 in their previous contest, City’s superiority over Telford, especially during a confident and positive first-half performance, again highlighted the modest quality needed to challenge for a play-off spot this term. The Minstermen have obviously fallen short of that requirement but it is telling that, under Watson, while the team have still been found a little wanting against the likes of top-five quintet Chorley, Stockport, Spennymoor and Altrincham, from the five sides finishing the season directly above their 12th-placed berth, three have been defeated – Bradford, Telford and Kidderminster – while winning positions were also enjoyed against Chester and Boston before lapses in concentration resulted in draws.

Finishing in the top third of the standings is clearly a minimum requirement for a club of City’s status and, with Stockport now departing as champions and one of the afore-mentioned teams likely to join them, Watson is fully expectant that he can next close that gap to the league’s highest reaches with the help of some summer additions.

3 Paddy McLaughlin’s form has grown stronger during his return to York City

The former Northern Ireland under-21 international midfielder did not immediately make his presence felt at the start of his second spell as a Minsterman in February, but that might largely be explained by a record of just one start since November for his parent club Hartlepool. A key member of the squad that clinched the historic 2012 Wembley double for City, there were initial doubts as to whether McLaughlin could transfer his status then as a promising youngster to a senior figure in this squad capable of driving the team on from the middle of the park.

Such reservations have been quelled somewhat, however, by the 28-year-old’s final month of the season. In five of the final six fixtures of the campaign, McLaughlin has provided a goal or an assist.

His corner for Jordan Burrow’s decisive header in this match also demonstrated the ex-Newcastle reserve’s capacity to improve City in a key battleground at sixth-tier level – set-piece situations.

4 City’s number-one shirt still looks up for grabs

Teenage net-minder Ryan Whitley was given a fifth match in which to audition for next term’s gloves against Telford and, after a very promising debut, there are perhaps a few question marks still being levelled at the former Archbishop Holgate pupil. The chief concern, since he misjudged a free kick at Chester that led to a goal, has been a culpability to high balls into his penalty box, witnessed again when he failed to make contact with a Telford corner, only for away defender Dom Smith to head over his vacated net.

It is a possibility that the Chester experience has shaken his confidence a little, as Whitley had looked strong in that department on his maiden senior outing and, with his 6ft 7in frame, he certainly has the tools to excel in that department. Whether it’s an understandable psychological issue, given his age and lack of first-team exposure, or a minor flaw in his game that still needs to be ironed out, Watson will be thinking carefully about Whitley’s readiness to operate between the sticks from the start of next season.

But, judging by the Longhurst chants of “He’s One of Our Own”, everybody at Bootham Crescent will be willing the ex-Manchester City trialist to fulfil his potential if he remains with the Minstermen.

5 Jordan Burrow can give you the best of both worlds in attack

Last season’s striking talisman Jon Parkin netted six more times than Saturday’s matchwinner and leading marksman Burrow managed this term, but the latter managed thrice as many assists than the former Championship campaigner contributed in 2017/18. City have netted 73 times in each of the last two seasons and, with 19 goals and 12 assists, Burrow has been directly involved in 42 per cent of his side’s goals this season.

The corresponding ratio for Parkin last season was 40 per cent with 25 goals and just four teed up for team-mates. It is hard to make any case for Burrow being regarded as natural a marksman as Parkin but, through sheer endeavour and a good nerve from the penalty spot, he has still manged to fall just one short of the 20 mark most managers consider a successful season target for any forward, despite going ten games without a goal from early February to mid-April.

During that period, the most concerning aspect was that Burrow wasn’t necessarily getting in positions to hit the target and it is that poaching instinct that possibly needs more work than his finishing ability when given chances. If that part of his game can be improved then, allied to the selfless streak that creates opportunities for others, Burrow might just better both his goal tally and assists haul in 2019/20.