York City number one Alan Fettis is cautioning against the Minstermen's gung-ho style ahead of tomorrow's trip to title contenders Bristol Rovers.

After three successive defeats including Tuesday night's disappointing 2-1 defeat at previously winless Carlisle United, Fettis admits City must reset their targets.

The attacking instincts that brought them three early victories may have to be curbed as City get back to basics, suggested Fettis, who today was put on stand-by for Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Malta on October 6.

"We have worked hard the last couple of days on the training field to put things right," Fettis told the Evening Press.

"We have been playing well and we are scoring almost every game, which is a big plus point. But trying to keep them out has been the big problem. As soon as we start doing that and getting that right we will start winning games."

The Northern Ireland international admitted it was a difficult task trying to strike a balance between firmness and flair.

"We need to start getting a bit of consistency in our results and in our performances," he said.

"Sometimes we have been playing outstandingly well and when you go to Torquay and win 3-0 then everyone is buzzing.

"But and then we go to Carlisle and we play as we did, which was awful.

"They played well to be fair to them, but we have got to realise when that happens and it isn't going to be a pretty game we have just got to knuckle down. If we are not going to win it we need to make sure we don't get beat.

"We need to get consistency and if we are not playing well we need to kill the game off and then a 0-0 draw won't be a bad result."

Fettis said City need look no further than the 1-0 win at Rochdale last season for inspiration as they prepare for the trip to the Memorial Stadium.

Back then, City travelled to Spotland rock bottom of the Football League after a dreadful run of just one point in seven League games while Dale were looking a good bet for promotion.

The surprise win, courtesy of Scott Emmerson's first senior goal, kick-started City's climb away from the foot of the table.

"That's the sort of performance and result we need to get back on an even keel again," said Fettis.

City boss Terry Dolan today added striker Alex Mathie to the squad which travelled to Carlisle on Tuesday and hinted there would be changes although he was not saying who may be dropped.

He said: "In the last three games we have conceded eight goals which is a concern. Our performances over 90 minutes have been very inconsistent and that is something we need to sort out."

Marc Salvati is included in the squad despite having a tooth removed yesterday although is possible one of the players who may not make the starting line-up.

Bristol Rovers v City

Match Points

- In 16 past league trips to Bristol Rovers (Eastville/Memorial Ground) City have won five times.

The successes were 1972/73 2-1, 1974/75 3-1, 1985/86 1-0, 1993/94 1-0 and 1997/98 2-1 when Barry Jones and Richard Cresswell were the scorers.

- Their last visit was on March 6, 1999 when they went down 2-0. Not one of the side that day remain with the club. The line up was: Warrington, McMillan, Jones, Tinkler, Thompson, Hall (Jordan), Pouton, Agnew (Reed), Garratt, Cresswell, Carruthers (Rowe).

- Players to have represented both City and Rovers include Maurice Dando and Ted Hathaway in the 1930s, Peter Aitken and John Ward managed both clubs in the 1990s.

Tomorrow's squads

York City from: Fettis, Edmondson, Basham, Fielding, Potter, Salvati, Brass, Bullock, Richardson, Nogan, Proctor, Howarth, Hocking, Fox, Cooper, O'Kane, Stamp, Mathie.

Bristol Rovers (probable): Howie, Wilson, Thomson, Foster, Foran, Lopez, Gall, Mauge, Hillier, Ellington, Cameron Sub, from: Clarke, Bubb, Pritchard, Hogg, Hammond

Referee: Grant Hegley (Bishops Stortford) Kick-off: 3pm

Updated: 11:33 Friday, September 21, 2001