2004/5 season review

Kyle Armstrong: Looked shell-shocked in the centre of defence at times after his deadline-day transfer from Preston reserves but more composed and comfortable when used as a right-back. Apps 3+2 sub. Goals: 0. Rating: 5/10.

Adam Arthur: Just one substitute appearance means he has not made the first-team breakthrough he would have hoped for. Still looks frail but last week's reserve hat-trick suggested potential. 0+2, 0. Rating: 5/10.

Kane Ashcroft: Made two very mature and assured displays as City took four points in successive matches against promotion hopefuls Carlisle and Halifax before injury cut short his season. An aggressive midfielder, who also has an eye for a sensible pass. 2, 0. Rating: 7/10.

Andy Bishop: A talisman and inspirational on several occasions, none more so than when he made Billy McEwan's 4-5-1 formation work so successfully. But, at other times, frustratingly fell short of the standards he set himself. At his best, hard-working, excellent in the air and a scorer of 12 goals. If he can produce that ability every game, he will be a great asset to City next season. 41+1 12. Rating: 7/10.

Chris Brass: His form suffered as his job as player-boss became increasingly under threat. Improved when he was relieved of his managerial duties before injury ended his season in December. 21+2 1.Rating: 5/10.

Chris Clarke: Calamitous career with City that lasted just five games. Exposed for a lack of pace and error prone. 5, 0. Rating: 4/10.

Matthew Coad: Young midfielder who looked out of depth on rare opportunities he was handed. 2+1, 0. Rating: 5/10.

Rob Constable: Poor fitness levels and attitude saw a rotund Constable's loan spell from Leeds curtailed early by Billy McEwan. 3, 0. Rating: 4/10.

Paul Crichton: Left club under a heavy cloud after arguing with City supporters at Gravesend. Looked past his best and far from agile in his four Minstermen matches. 4, 0. Rating: 4/10.

Sean Davies: Pretty reliable when called upon at left-back and will be frustrated that he has not had a chance to impress Billy McEwan since playing in the 1-0 victory at Exeter. Might need to be more aggressive. 18+1, 0. Rating: 6/10.

Steve Davis: Missing for most of the season with a hip injury. Hard to judge whether he will be able roll back the years next season and give City performances that suggest he was once one of the best centre-backs outside of the Premiership. 14+1, 0. Rating: 5/10.

Kevin Donovan: Displayed evidence of the classy player he has been but, at 33, rarely dictated a game from the middle of the park for a full 90 minutes. Still City's most comfortable player in possession though and shone in certain matches. 32+1, 2. Rating: 6/10.

Darren Dunning: Disappointing season for the 2003/2004 Player of the Year. High point was his only two goals from open play of the campaign at Dagenham and Redbridge when he was used as a left-winger. 41+1, 4. Rating: 5/10.

Lee Grant: Has promise but lacks confidence, which was eroded in a poor City team. If he has faith in his own ability would be a good acquisition and a possible set-piece goal source should Aston Villa release him. 8+1, 2 .Rating: 6/10.

Paul Groves: Showed tremendous character to bounce back from a fans' barracking after his tired performances in midfield to forge a strong central-defensive partnership with Jon Maloney. Read the game excellently from the back to compensate for fading pace and was strong aerially. 42+4, 3. Rating: 6/10.

Gerry Harrison: Made little impact in four substitute appearances but could have been given greater opportunities. 0+4, 0. Rating: 5/10.

Robbie Haw: Diminutive teenage striker used twice as a substitute in October before disappearing for the rest of the season. 0+2, 0. Rating: 5/10.

Ben Jackson: Willing runner who looks fit and pacey but lacked any composure in front of goal. With confidence could still develop into a decent striker. 7+3, 0. Rating: 5/10.

Graeme Law: Keen right-back who has pace, can tackle and deliver a decent cross. Needs to work on his distribution from right-back but is whole-hearted and determined to improve. 25+7, 0. Rating: 6/10.

David McGurk: Largely faultless during his seven-match loan stay from Darlington and forged immediately solid partnerships with Chris Brass and Gary Pearson. Tall, quick and unhesitating. 6+1, 0. Rating: 8/10.

Jon Maloney: Great attitude for a loan signing. A real 100 per cent player who blocked, cleared and intercepted everything he could. Also often compensated for his rare mistakes with his pace or desire not to be beaten. Distribution could be better and lacks height but will defend all day for the team's cause. An attacking threat at set-pieces as well and his four-goal tally saw him finish the season as second top scorer despite only being with the Minstermen for three months. Would have been interesting to witness a McGurk/Maloney partnership at the back. 15, 4. Rating: 8/10.

Dave Merris: A consistent performer when many around him struggled to maintain the same standards from game to game. Adapted well to being pushed into an advanced role on the left flank although will require more work on his finishing if he is to continue in that position. His energy on the counter attack was vital when Billy McEwan switched to a 4-5-1 system. 42+2, 2. Rating: 7/10.

Lee Nogan: Disappointing end to the player-coach's City career. Struggled with the pace of the Conference and missed good chances before leaving the club. 21+5, 3. Rating: 5/10.

Gary Pearson: Gave City an added dimension with his tough tackling and long passes when played in midfield and also did an admirable job in defence but his season was plagued with a shoulder problem that saw him out of action from October and eventually released. 13, 0. Rating: 7/10.

Chris Porter: Brilliant performances against Exeter and Morecambe saw the recalled keeper enjoy clean sheets and secure six vital points. Proved himself as a shot-stopper but a question mark still hangs over his command of the six-yard box. 20, 0. Rating: 6/10.

Paul D Robinson: Two goal in 37 matches is a poor return for the man who was once preferred to Alan Shearer in the Newcastle United line-up, even allowing for his use as a right-winger for long spells in the season. Undoubtedly possesses skill but, sadly, it has only been sporadically used to good effect in a City shirt. 23+14, 2. Rating: 5/10.

Paul Robinson: Scored two excellent goals in his first three starts for City but seemed to lack fitness in subsequent heavy-legged performances and his chances under Billy McEwan were extremely restricted. 6+8, 2. Rating: 6/10.

Shaun Smith: Did well to recover some semblance of his former Crewe Alexandra existence under Billy McEwan after a string of dire early performances, when he looked to lack pace, balance and confidence, led to him being dropped after just four games. Was equally as poor against Scarborough when recalled and has been a big disappointment for somebody of his pedigree and former ability. 16+3, 0. Rating: 4/10.

Michael Staley: Probably suffered from staying in the first team for too long at such a young age but showed enough ability on the ball to suggest he has the potential to progress with the right guidance. 13+2, 0.Rating: 6/10.

Bryan Stewart: City's only natural winger again demonstrated he has the skill to hurt teams down the flanks. Will need to play a more prominent part next season though and work on his fitness and finishing. 17+3, 1. Rating: 6/10.

David Stockdale: Adapted excellently to first-team football after being thrown in at the deep end because of Paul Crichton's departure and Chris Porter's sending-off. An impressive shot-stopper, the teenage goalkeeper also kicks well and is more willing to come off his line and collect crosses than his rival for the City number one spot. 22+1, 0. Rating: 8/10.

Byron Webster: Promising introduction to life in the Conference at the age of 17 and could develop into a good all-round midfielder given time. 14+2, 1. Rating: 7/10.

Lev Yalcin: Largely disappointing season for the former Turkish youth international but typically smattered with glimpses of his potential. His goal at Morecambe was a memorable strike and he also impressed in patches towards the end of the season, culminating in his second senior goal against Farnborough on Saturday. Can still be an asset to City, rather than an enigma, if he improves his fitness levels and gets more involved in matches. 10+23, 2. Rating: 5/10.

Appearances and goals for all competitive matches.

Updated: 11:11 Tuesday, April 26, 2005