AS we anxiously wait for a decision as to the future of York City, Saturday's final deadline cannot come soon enough.

Hopefully, by lunch-time today there were some serious offers on the table with the administrators.

As long as there is someone who can take the club forward that is all that matters.

But at the time of writing we are all obviously worried and the waiting is getting to everybody.

The players do not know what the hell is going on and we don't know whether in 24 hours' time we are going to be employed or on the dole.

In the circumstances and try as we might, it is very difficult to concentrate on playing and focusing on Saturday's game against Swansea.

If you look at the games since we have gone into administration, I think it is fair to say the performances have dropped and so have the results.

We are still together and united but when you have not got any income coming in then it really starts to hammer home how serious the situation is.

You cannot help but worry, and that has got to be detrimental in terms of preparing for games.

If your preparation is not quite right then that can affect your performances and that has certainly been the case.

We are human beings and while we are desperate for the club to survive you also cannot help but consider what the effect will be on yourself and your family.

Given the current financial climate surrounding football, we are also aware if the worst was to happen and the club was to go under we would be very, very lucky to get fixed up with other clubs.

Fearing for your career and livelihood is an obvious strain and with no-one quite sure what the future holds there has certainly been a surreal feel to the club this week.

Personally, I've been carrying out a lot of interviews for various media organisations, be it radio, local television, Sky and other newspapers.

Everyone is trying to get a grip on the situation and I suppose at least it shows there is interest in the club and its future.

But it is for all the wrong reasons.

I'm disappointed no-one is talking about events on the pitch. As a footballer, all you want to talk about is football.

But I cannot remember the last time I did an interview and we talked about the ins and outs of a particular game.

It just doesn't seem to happen any more and I'm sick of it.

From a personal point of view, it was nice to get 75 minutes under my belt in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Monday.

It means I should be available for Saturday's game against Swansea after being out since mid-December with a broken cheekbone.

In the current circumstances, if considered for selection I can't wait to get out on the field.

Playing is a great stress-reliever and hopefully we can start to put things right on the field after our recent disappointments.

Hopefully as well, we will be going into the game full of optimism after a new dawn for the club has been heralded, rather than still wondering at 5pm just what the future holds.

Updated: 11:33 Thursday, January 16, 2003