HEAD coach James Ford has dismissed any talk of hoodoos or jinxes - again - as York City Knights look to finally end their long losing run against Barrow Raiders.

The Knights have not beaten the Furness side in 13 meetings, home or away, since a 14-4 success at Huntington Stadium in the old National League Two in July 2007. Ford's number two, Chris Spurr, played in that match.

Ford himself has not defeated the Raiders as a coach in six attempts.

But he has got increasingly irritated by suggestions that Barrow are a bogey team with a hold over his club and once again he has given such notion short shrift.

"We've not discussed that. We didn't even play them last year," he said.

"We can't do anything about historic results. All we can do is focus on making sure our preparation and performance are good.

"Barrow have a good record against York but that doesn't mean they start with a points advantage on Sunday. They're a good team with a good coach but our focus is on the things we can control - our prep and our performance."

The Raiders, promoted from League One 12 months before the Knights, finished 10th in the Betfred Championship regular season last year after five wins and three draws in their 23 fixtures, rising a place to ninth after three wins in the Super 8s.

They have since lost star man Joe Bullock to Super League champions Wigan after the prop's winter switch, but Ford reckons they remain a force to be reckoned with especially up the middle.

"Barrow are a very physical side," he said. "They've got some grunt in and around the middle, and our defensive contact will have to be better than it was last week."

Asked if the Raiders were likely to miss suspended half-back Jamie Dallimore, Ford said: "That remains to be seen.

"I've not seen too much of their young halves in the squad. I know Jake Carter played against Australia for England Colleges but you couldn't take too much away from that, although he kicks the ball pretty well.

"Jamie Dallimore is a competitor and has a strong kicking game but these young lads will want to show Paul Crarey they're very capable.

"We'll need to be at our best."

On Crarey - who took over at Barrow at the same time Ford took the York reins at the end of 2014 - the Knights boss added: "I think it's been surprising he's been overlooked for awards.

"He's done a great job getting Barrow promoted and keeping them up, and coming in after a turbulent time with the off-the-field issues they had.

"I have a lot of respect and wish him all the best in his career - apart from when they play us."