No reason why York City should be low on confidence, believes John Askey

The former Macclesfield Town stalwart, then manager, has joined City's management team on a temporary basis to bolster boss Steve Watson while his assistant Micky Cummins awaits an FA ruling on betting charges.

Askey was in the crowd on Tuesday night as City laboured to a 2-0 defeat at Leamington, and will be in the dugout for the first time when York take on the Nash in National League North (3pm) at the Tameside Stadium.

Defeat at Leamington meant City suffered back-to-back reversals for the first time since the opening three games of the season, having lost at home to Buxton in the FA Cup the Saturday before.

Asked if the side looked to be down on confidence, Askey responded: "I don't see why they should be, despite the result against Buxton - but Buxton are a good side, they're spending a lot of money, so that shouldn't have affected them.

"They didn't start the season too well but they've picked up and if they'd had won, they would have been fourth or fifth.

"There's no reason they should be lacking in confidence, but there are a few players out, really good players at this level, and it's hard to do without them."

Askey made 511 appearances for Macclesfield between 1984 and 2003, whereupon he was appointed as the Silkmen's manager. He was replaced as boss in 2004 but stayed on as a coach before being reappointed manager in 2013. In 2016, City boss Watson joined him as assistant.

On arriving at the Wigginton Road training ground, Askey said: “I’m really surprised with the facilities. I’ve been at two League clubs previously and their facilities weren’t as good as these.

“That can only help the club in recruitment. I certainly felt like training when I got here," he joked.

“I really appreciate Steve asking me to come here. We’ve worked together for a few years and we were quite successful.

“I’ve got a good relationship with Steve so hopefully that will stand us in good stead and we can get some good results."