Mean streak

The Welsh international has been in the promotion chase and play-off pack on a number of occasions throughout his career and reckons a selfish streak is what's needed.

Speaking ahead of tonight's trip to relegation haunted Carlisle United (7.45pm), Nogan told the Evening Press: "I've been here before, quite a few times, and you really do have to just keep playing how you have been doing all season.

"You cannot afford to worry about other results, you just have to concentrate on winning your games and not worry about anyone else around you."

With just five games to go, Nogan, who has play-off experience with Reading, Grimsby and Darlington, admits the run-in is unlikely to appeal to purists and warns it could get ugly as points not performances take priority.

"We have got some very difficult games to contend with and none of them are going to be easy. Carlisle are going to be fighting for their lives and it is important we match them to start with for 15 or 20 minutes," he said.

"We will have to roll our sleeves up and dig in. I don't think it is going to be a pretty game but, to be honest, I don't think you will see many footballing games between now and the end of the season. It is just a case of getting the points on the board."

Unlike Saturday's opponents Rochdale, who arrived at Bootham Crescent relatively free from the fear of relegation, tonight's hosts are under big pressure from the threat of the drop zone.

And that pressure, the sort City experienced on Saturday from an expectant home crowd, City must use to their advantage, says Nogan

"If we can keep it tight for 20 minutes it will be interesting to see how their fans react," said the 33-year-old.

"If it's 0-0 or they are 1-0 down then I'm sure their players will be nervous. What we have got to do is go there and match them and concentrate on our football then I don't think we will have any problems."

Updated: 11:27 Tuesday, April 15, 2003