FURTHER to my letter of December 12 concerning York City, I had been considering ending it by noting that given Saturday's performance York might be more in need of an undertaker than a caretaker manager.

The run of results over the Christmas and New Year break makes me wonder whether my views were either prescient or just a dose of my natural pessimism?

Given York City's bank balance and lowly league position, the January transfer

window is unlikely to bring about a change in the club's fortunes.

However, fortunately for York City it is not the team's players who will save theclub from the drop but the abysmal performances of Northwich Victoria

and Leigh RMI's players.

While the top spot is now surely sealed up the other end of the table is no longerlooking a certainty given City's performance on Saturday.

York City are in danger of repeating last season's feat and finishing in the bottom two while Carlisle, recent slip aside, are still looking at a top two finish.

What a variation in fortunes for the two relegated teams last season, one now chasing promotion the other seeking to avoid relegation. One wonders, is it due in part to the gates at Brunton Park compared with those at Bootham Crescent or are they just a consequence?

Richard Lamb,

Rawcliffe Lane,

York.

Sports Editor's footnote: Three teams will be relegated from the Conference this season, not two - subject to ground regulations.

Updated: 10:50 Friday, January 07, 2005