STEVE WATSON believes there is plenty to be positive about at York City and wants the fans on board.

The manager has made his mark on York, regularly deploying four of his five summer signings in the new 3-5-2 formation.

On Saturday, City beat an obstinate Brackley Town side 1-0 thanks to a long-range strike from Andy Bond.

This was not the first time a side has come to Bootham Crescent to make it hard for York, with Farsley Celtic doing the same in midweek and earning a point.

But with York sitting top of the National League North table after three games, Watson insists seven points from a possible nine is no shame for a side in transition.

"That's twice teams have come to York and completely changed the way they play to combat the way we play," he said.

"Again, they made it very difficult for us. It's not as easy as dominating for 90 minutes. We had to be patient.

"They could have created a lot more and had more composure. We had a couple of pinball situations and a second would have made it a lot easier.

"But again we have a team coming trying to frustrate us and that's where we need to be together.

"The fans as well - first half it was very, very quiet. We need to understand that it's going to be tough and nobody's going to roll over for us.

"Away from home, when teams are going to be more expansive like Altrincham, we'll pick them off a lot easier.

"The thing that does give me real positivity and hope is that there's so much more to come from the team.

"We're still a new team and a new system and it's not a bad starting point where we are."

On the competitive nature of the division, he added: "Only one team (Guiseley) won both after a couple of games. That just sums this league up - consistency.

"Stockport and Chorley were consistent (last season) and they were rewarded. Consistency is the key.

"We'll play a hell of a lot better than that and we'll get better because we're still relatively new to the system and to the group.

"But as I say, it's not a bad start."