MICKY CUMMINS believes that York City will have to be patient as they attempt to crack the "tough nut" of Farsley Celtic.

York will be looking to keep up their winning start to the campaign when they travel to Farsley for their first away game of the Vanarama National League North season.

Manager Steve Watson described Farsley as a "tough nut to crack" after the 3-1 win over Chorley on Tuesday evening, with the West Yorkshire club holding the Minstermen to a goalless draw early on last season.

Watson's assistant Cummins concurred with that viewpoint and admitted that City may patience at The Citadel.

"I think they set out to frustrate against Spenny, like they did with us last year," said Cummins of Farsley's 2-1 defeat at Spennymoor.

"They sat in with a bank of five and a bank of four, with one lad up top and they look to counter. We're expecting similar.

"I think that their personnel has changed but I think that they play the same formation, so we've got to be aware of that.

"They load the box and they've got a long throw in (former York defender) Tom Allan and, at free-kicks, they look to get as many men forward as possible.

"We expect our box to be bombarded when they get the opportunity to do so.

"We need to be clever in the final third, look to get a goal early-doors and, if not, be patient and try and break them down.

"We'll need to be solid, start with a clean sheet and look to win the game from there.

"We know that Farsley is a tough place to go to. I don't know what condition the pitch is in but last year there were a lot of complaints about it.

"But it is two teams playing on the same surface, so it's about who adapts and who takes the opportunities when they come along."

Following a scrappy 1-0 win in the FA Cup at Warrington Rylands, a new-look York side produced a brilliant second-half display to see off Chorley, who were relegated from the National League last season, in a 3-1 win.

Cummins stressed his excitement over the potential of the group.

"We got all of the targets that we wanted, some took longer than some.

"But looking at the depth and the quality that we haven't all seen in the games just yet, it is exciting because there's several match winners in that team.

"When we get to the sharp end of the pitch, we've got a lot of quality in there and we've got leaders at the back as well, (who bring) aggression along with composure on the ball as well.

"In the middle of the park, we've got experience and legs as well as goals.

"All in all, it is exciting. We get every day in training to see what they're capable of.

"It may still take a little bit of time but they're starting to show signs of being a team and that's been gradual throughout the past two or three weeks.

"We're not there yet but we're definitely getting there.

"It's going to be a tough, long season and there's the possibility of having to change and swap players round. We know we've got a squad with depth that we can rely on and trust in those roles."

Forward Harry Bunn is nearing 100 per cent fitness having come off the bench against Chorley, Cummins reported, while Jack Redshaw, who is yet to make his York debut, remains out of the squad with a hip flexor injury.

He was only player not to be involved in training on Thursday and it's hoped he can feature this month.