“THERE is a different feel about the place this season.”

That was the view of David Ferguson after Saturday’s 3-0 win over King’s Lynn moved York City three points clear at the top of the Vanarama National League North table.

York are unbeaten in 12 league games this season and the weekend’s victory over their third-placed rivals put some daylight to their advantage at the top.

Ferguson himself has been key to York’s success, with his assists from the left wing-back position pivotal to the York frontline.

The former England ‘C’ international was full of praise for the York coaching staff and the impact that both Steve Watson and Micky Cummins have had since arriving in January.

“There is a different feel about the place this season and I think you’ve got to give the credit to the staff for that, the gaffer and Micky,” said Ferguson.

“The whole attitude around the place and the standards that are set. I think there’s been a whole change about the place.

“You would think that everyone had only come through the door at the start of this season.

“Everyone’s been at it from the start, from the first day of pre-season.

"The gaffer said to us, ‘we want to win the league’.

“Everyone’s stuck to that and we’ve all been pushing each other.

“No one’s spit their dummy out. Whoever’s playing, we’re backing them.

“There’s plenty of people that are pushing to get into the starting 11. For the likes of myself and other players who are starting, you need to play well to make sure that you keep the shirt.

“That’s the attitude that you’ve got to have. You’re a team at the end of the day.

“As long as come the end of the season, we’re still at the top of the league, that’s all that matters.

“There are obviously some lads that will be unhappy not to start, but at the end of the day, we all want the best for each other.

“No one’s ever guaranteed a spot.

“I know we won 3-0 on Saturday but the gaffer always says to us, ‘If someone’s training better than you, then they’ll play’.”

Only a dozen games in the league season have been played, but Ferguson already feels like Saturday’s triumph was of particular significance.

“Collectively, I thought we were solid,” he added. “We kept a clean sheet again and that’s six goals (conceded) in 12 games and it’s another game that we’ve managed to stay unbeaten in.

“It’s a massive win for us to beat the team who are third in the table.

“Chester dropped points too, they drew, and it opens the gap up for us at the top.

“The main thing for us is that we’re at the top of the league and it means that the place is still buzzing, as you could see when the final whistle went.

“Every game is a big game, because you’re still going for three points no matter who you’re playing.

“But, when you are playing teams that are around you in the table, it does become a bigger game.

“Our preparation was right for the game and we said to each other, ‘Let’s do our own jobs and we all know what we’re capable of’.

“And I think we showed that.”

For the first time this season, Ferguson found himself on the scoresheet after racing into the penalty area and steering home a cross from Alex Kempster.

“I just gambled on getting into the box and thankfully I got the goal from that,” he said of the finish.

“I think I’ve got something like 10 assists this season so far. It’s about adding some goals to that as well.

“I just shouted to Kempy, ‘Put it in’ and no one came with us and it left us with a tap in really from his cross.

“I think I am getting into more attacking positions as I get used to this role, playing games more often there.

“It is a tough role, because you are constantly up and down.

“I think that I’ve got the legs and the ability to do it. I’m a strong runner too.

“I think it suits my game - I’m providing goals and scoring them too so hopefully I can continue that.

“The job of the wing back is to help defensively and to try and help provide going forward.

“We’ve got ourselves another clean sheet.

“We’ve also shown that we’re hard to break down too.”