KIERAN DIXON admitted that there was “an awful lot” for York City Knights to fix up as they prepare to travel to Bradford Bulls this weekend.

York marked their first match in front of fans at the LNER Community Stadium with a 34-6 win against Oldham at the weekend.

However, much like the preceding victory at Widnes Vikings, the Knights were guilty of excessive errors in a first half that finished level at 6-6.

“In the end, it was a good result, but I think in the first half we needed to fix an awful lot,” said York winger Dixon.

“The standards here are high and we didn’t meet our standards at all in the first half when it was 6-6 .

“Taking nothing away from Oldham, we know we need to be a lot better than that because there’s going to be tough games all the way through this competition.

“We didn’t make it easy for ourselves. They were here for a fight and that’s what they gave us. We were in a battle and I think that we managed to outlast them.

“But that needs to be from the first whistle though, we can’t afford to go 20 or 30 minutes into a game with that sort of outcome.

“We need to start with our foot on the throat of the opposition and not take it off.

“We’ve got a lot to sharpen up, but we’re close to where we need to be.”

Against Oldham at the weekend, Dixon scored five goals from six attempts. The 28-year-old’s kicking technique has caught the eye with his build-up, which features several unique arm and feet movements, particularly distinctive.

“I used to have more a direct run up and I used to find myself slicing the ball a fair bit and the angle that I was attacking the ball was too direct,” Dixon explained.

“I’ve gone away, practised in training and during the off-season and worked on my technique.

“People give me stick for it but I think that it’s the same with other things. Not everyone has got the same golf swing or plays football the same way.

“It’s very individual and it’s about mindset and how I get myself away from the crowd noise.

“I’m just focusing on my run up to the ball and how I’m striking it.”

It also grants Dixon’s team mates time to recuperate again following a try.

The former Hull Kingston Rovers and London Broncos star said: “After a score, we get a minute and 20 (seconds) on the shot clock so it gives me time to set myself and it gives time for the boys to have a water break and they can have a talk with the coach.

“It gives all of us that little bit of extra time. That time frame gives me time to settle away, relax and think about the kick.

“And then hopefully the kick goes over,” he laughed.