WHILE wanting to avoid banging on about York City Knights every week, where else can we start other than Sunday's amazing day out at The Shay?

From within camp, we'd had a decent week's build-up, no special preparation, just the usual, highlighting where we thought Halifax's biggest threats came from, and where we thought we may have some success.

We do this through video, players and staff input, then running through potential scenarios on the training field.

I thought the players, not for the first time this season, showed tremendous focus, belief and courage to take the game to the opponents like they did. One example of the spirit in the squad, for me, came at half-time.

After praising Nathan Graham for an amazing try-saving tackle on Phil Cantillon, his team-mates out loud all congratulated him, some clapping. This was spontaneous, and to me just summed up how much the players wanted to win the game.

It was reinforced not long after by Austin Buchanon, showing scant respect for his own safety, with a bone-cruncher on his opposite number, saving a certain try in the corner. The phrase 'body on the line' must have been invented for that tackle.

While I obviously get the chance to congratulate and thank the players personally face to face, unfortunately I don't get afforded the same courtesies with our fans.

Don't underestimate the part our fans are playing this season.

When our players were fatigued and bust-up late in the second half, and when we were left with just one rotation player due to injuries, the Knights Army got behind our lads and shouted them home.

I have played at clubs where fans can have such a negative effect on players and, true, it helps when the team is winning, but the York faithful have been through so many lows that surely no-one could begrudge them some good times.

My brother-in-law sat among the army on Sunday, and he was embarrassed to tell me that the roar and reception that greeted the team when Jacko led them out onto the pitch left him with a lump in his throat and the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. He wanted to be out there, so imagine how a pumped up player feels with this.

There will be lows and there will be testing times, for sure, that is the nature of this sport, but if we can keep this up, the good times will outweigh the bad.

So our second romantic cup run of the season has another chapter and another day out, and yet again the club has had a day to remember. Keep it up everyone.

The furore over the cup draw hasn't really affected the squad. For sure, balls-ups (pardon the pun, but that's what it was) shouldn't happen at this level, but I know the official concerned was deeply upset by the situation.

You don't expect an easy semi-final draw and, although a home draw would have been welcomed, we will just get on with it - though there will be some good-hearted banter about the myths surrounding, dare I say it, 'fixes'. I am of course joking and have no problem with what went on.

Two of our players were left feeling pretty down after Sunday. Rammo and Briggsy have both been straining at the leash for some time and were both gutted that injuries limited them to a matter of minutes on the pitch.

Both of them, and we can include Rob Kama in this, have been unlucky in the fact we have some form players at the moment, but while it's difficult for them at times to hide their disappointment, they continue to train the house down and patiently wait for their time to come.

All our squad have a massive part to play and their levels of professionalism have been tremendous. Hopefully it won't be long before everyone is fit, and the real headaches start again. I wish both players and Jimbo and Smiggy speedy recoveries.

Finally we are in desperate need of a victory song. Some clubs adopt their own verses or sometimes chants to celebrate a win. At the moment we are settling for a round of applause. Any ideas are welcome - but mind the language!

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, June 09, 2004