YORK City player-boss Chris Brass is not ready to give himself a rest from first-team duty.

Text messages and letters to the Evening Press this week have called for City's player-boss to take a break from first-team action and manage the team from the dugout.

Critics argue such a switch would give the player-manager a better perspective.

But Brass believes his absence on the pitch could lead to a lack of organising and communication from the back.

The City chief also pointed to the solid understanding himself, Chris Smith and Richard Hope have enjoyed for long periods of the season.

He said: "Sometimes you have to come out but the one thing we did lack when I came out of the team because of my suspension was voices. I think that's through playing youngsters.

"If somebody came in that screams and bawls and organises things at the back and I could trust them then I think it would make my decision easier.

"We still have a play-off chance at the moment but if we find out in the course of the season that that goes then I would be happy to look in from the outside.

"Sometimes you can learn things about your players that you might not while you are out there. But that's the player-manager role - some aspects you like, some you don't.

"I am no different to anybody else though and if I feel the time is right to come out for whatever reasons I am happy to do that."

Updated: 10:16 Saturday, February 21, 2004