SPORTS REPORT February 2022

Resident sports writer and York City F. C. fan, Simon Pattinson, is cautiously optimistic about the future.

So far, as we get into 2022, it feels like John Askey is starting to put his stamp on a side that seemed to be struggling to get its act together when he took over. You cannot deny it’s not been a walk in the park but the improvements are there for us all to see. Improvements have been made in certain areas of the pitch, particularly with some of the attacking players that have arrived at the club to keep us moving in the right direction to hopefully cement the side within the playoffs.
It was always going to take a while for this team to get going under Askey but the way he wants to play by playing attractive football was always going to take time. The players that he has signed have added balance to the squad and most importantly, he’s playing players in their correct positions. As I write this it feels that the side has goals in them, and more goals will be necessary to get anywhere near where they need to be. We’ve also seen a less leaky defence, compared to the defence that saw Steve Watson lose his job. It was a makeshift defence in his last few months in the City hot seat. What I also think we have seen in recent times is an improvement in the fitness of the squad, it feels like there is more energy about the way the players are moving and getting into the correct positions at the moment.
Of course, there’s much further to go, but it’s been much more positive with a clear idea as to how we want to play. John Askey has certainly reinvigorated this side and there are signs that we’ve got good things to look forward to ahead.

It is almost that time again for the rugby fans in York as we see what could be a big year ahead in the rugby calendar not only for the Knights and their push for Super League glory but also the rearranged World Cup with fixtures due to take place at the LNER Stadium. The Knights have set the standards as pre-season has finally begun with a strong start and the way they have built their side so far in the offseason feels like this could really be a side that challenges for promotion. There are some big sides still left in the Championship and it will be by no means easy to reach the higher echelons of Rugby League but looking from the outside at the moment this seems like it could well be their strongest chance to do so.
I think we all know with the way that the rugby club is run, it would be no fluke with everything going in the right direction and what an achievement it would be. It would definitely put York on the map for sport.
What a great thought that is.