NO more half-measures were the orders being barked by York City terrier Richard Cooper ahead of the Minstermen's long haul south this weekend.

The 21-year-old was handed a starting berth for this afternoon's Torquay clash after sitting out last Saturday's opening 1-0 defeat at the hands of Rushden & Diamonds through suspension.

Speaking to the Evening Press, Cooper admitted it was a painful experience having to watch from the stands as City fell to a first-day defeat.

But that blow has made the tenacious former England Under-18 international determined to make up for lost time.

And while he admits the defeat to the League's new boys was a body blow, now is not the time to panic.

Instead, Cooper is looking for City to take heart from the spirited second-half performances against Rushden and against Middlesborough in the North Riding Senior Cup final in midweek and produce a performance to be proud of for the full 90 minutes.

"We have just got to get out of the blocks quicker and play for the whole 90 minutes," Cooper reasoned.

"Last week's game was disappointing but we have got to take some positives from it.

"Rushden aren't a bad side but we weren't that far away and we proved it in the second-half.

"It was the same the other night against Middlesbrough when we played really well again in the second 45 minutes."

Cooper added: "It was difficult watching last Saturday's game.

"But the season starts here for me now and I am looking forward to it.

"I want to get in and be settled and get on with it.

"The mood in the camp is still good, as it has been throughout pre-season.

"There maybe a little bit more pressure now because of last week's result.

"But we put together a great run at the end of last season, the lads all came together and we are still confident of what we can do.

"I think, personally, we have got a decent team, but we just need to build on it.

"There is no sense of panic and we know what we have got to do."

LAST season's Evening Press player of the year, Alan Fettis, is facing catch-up in the quest to reclaim the prestigious silverware.

New boy on the block Michael Proctor and Darren Edmondson (pictured) are the early front-runners after both picked up five points from City's two opening games, against Rushden & Diamonds and Middlesbrough.

On-loan Sunderland striker Proctor has still to open his goal account but picked up the man of the match award and three points for his display against Boro in the North Riding Senior Cup final having already picked up two points for his hard-working display against Rushden.

Darren Edmondson was top man against Diamonds before earning two points against Boro. Skipper Chris Brass picked up the remaining point against Rushden while Lee Bullock repeated the feat three days later.

This season's player of the year format sees City's man of the match in each game receive three points, the second best two and the third best one.

Early standings: Darren Edmondson 5, Michael Proctor 5, Lee Bullock 1, Chris Brass 1.

CITY'S reserves team will kick off their campaign next Wednesday when they travel west to take on Bury.

But it's not the Gigg Lane home of the Shakers where they will be heading.

Instead the second-string duel is at Radcliffe Borough's Stainton Park ground, because Bury's home hosts none other than Manchester United's reserve fixtures.

It's enough to make you giggle.

Meanwhile, City reserves' fixture with Shrewsbury Town, postponed on Wednesday because of City's North Riding Senior Cup final with Middlesbrough 24 hours earlier, will now be staged at Bootham Crescent on December 19, kick-off 7pm.