THERE will be no knee-jerk reaction to York City Knights’ opening day howler as they begin their home campaign against Blackpool tomorrow.

That was the message from player-boss Paul March, pictured, who described last week’s 28-2 Championship One loss at Dewsbury as nothing more than a “bad day at the office” following the successful Northern Rail Cup run.

Director of rugby James Ratcliffe had said “all 17 places were up for grabs” in the immediate aftermath of last week’s clash – which saw a controversial penalty count of 24-9 in the Rams’ favour – but the coaching duo are to give most of those players a chance to redeem themselves.

And March – who has “held his hand up” to admit his own shortcomings at Dewsbury, which included ten minutes in the sin-bin for dissent – has said his team had not become a bad or ill-disciplined side overnight.

“It was one game,” he said. “We’ve spoken about it all week in training. I’ve held my hand up and other players have held hands up, but we haven’t become a bad-disciplined side because of one game.

“We were averaging five penalties per game until Dewsbury. Our discipline is pretty good. But it has to be better than last week, not just as regards penalties but also with ball in hand. That’s what let us down.

“The penalty count was massive towards what happened but we also coughed up possession too easily and our kicking game wasn’t up to scratch.

“But people shouldn’t get the Dewsbury game out of proportion. It was a bad day at the office but we haven’t become a bad team overnight and I’m sure everybody will see that tomorrow.

“There might be a couple of changes depending on injuries but I feel that 17 deserve a chance to put some stuff right.”

Full-back Danny Ratcliffe (ankle) was rated at 50-50, while Scott Woodcock (hand) should be available. However, neither will be risked if they are not 100 per cent, so forwards Danny Ekis and Carl Barrow are added to the 17. Ekis could be a direct swap for Woodcock, while Dave Clayton could take over at full-back, with Tom Haberecht or Richard Knight switching to centre and Barrow going into the second row.

Young half-back Danny Grimshaw – the February Player of the Month – is also added to the squad and The Press believes he is likely to be in the 17.

Adam Mitchell was preferred at stand-off last week, with the coaches taking into account his own form plus the fact Grimshaw missed some training due to work commitments. March said: “Danny was going well. He felt he let himself down a little bit against Wigan St Patrick’s and we chose Adam last week. I thought he played quite well – he controlled his side when we had ball in hand.

“Danny’s got a lot of time and I’m sure when he gets his chance he’ll take it.”

Blackpool began last season as easy-beats – and gave new Knights coaches March and Rat-cliffe their first win 12 games into the term – but they picked up and finished one place off the play-offs. They have improved further this year and kicked off their campaign with a 34-26 win over Hunslet.

March said: “We’re aware of what they do. They’re much-improved from the last few years and have made a few decent signings. One of their main threats is their kicking game with (experienced half-back) Simon Svabic.

“But we’ve said all along it’s our game be need to be conscious of. We have to get back on the wagon and show people we’re contenders.”

Knights: from D Ratcliffe, McHugh, Clayton, M Mitchell, Oakes, A Mitchell, Grimshaw, P March, C Clough, Hughes, Sullivan, Haberecht, Kelly, D March, Hodgson, Applegarth, Knight, Woodcock, Ekis, Barrow.

Blackpool (possible): Leather, Langley, Llewellyn, McCully, Campbell, Hatton, Forster, Draper, J Clough, K Ratcliffe, Kay, Alker, Hodson, Keavney, Alcock, Hill, Munro.

Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury).

Kick off: 3pm.