HERE we are again, eight games into the season and staring failure, or at best mediocrity, in the face once more.

Like other York City fans, I flirted briefly with the prospect of a very promising start to the season. I should have known better.

Three defeats on the bounce and the latest to a team that has consistently strived for relegation and yet failed, and won its last game in April.

I have a number of friends and colleagues who are supporters of Hull City. How different their season looks. And yet is it that surprising?

From a starting point much worse than anything encountered by York City they have appointed a quality manager and spent money on quality players. Their success is apparently assured.

Terry Dolan used to manage them. Ask any one of their fans for their opinion. I'll bet the comment "He'll probably not take you down, but he certainly won't lead you to success" would not be too far wide of the mark.

How odd then that he was our number one target when we replaced Neil Thompson. And his predecessor is currently acting in a scouting capacity for his brother at Hull City.

Why don't any of these thoughts apparently occur to those who have, or at least should have, some influence at Bootham Crescent, like Douglas Craig and his shrinking band of directors.

Come on Mr Craig, give Mr Dolan the dreaded vote of confidence and cheer us all up.

He's had his chance, completely restructured the team and failed because the current level of performance is simply unacceptable.

Cannot someone like Nigel Clough be tempted away from non-league Burton Albion? Or must I face a whole season of embarrassing Monday mornings discussing the weekend's events with my Hull City colleagues?

Peter Stevens,

St Nicholas Croft

Askham Bryan

York.

Updated: 12:01 Saturday, September 22, 2001