I have a very familiar feeling as a York City supporter. Mid-season, out of all cup competitions and facing yet another relegation battle.

Calling that a battle might be exaggerating a bit because having the luxury of only one down and, as last season, one team seeming to be determined to make that berth all their own, we shall almost certainly survive.

As recently as in last Friday's Evening Press there was talk from Bootham Crescent of the season starting here and the possibility of a string of positive results keeping a play-off dream alive. Let's get real. There is nothing tangible to suggest any such thing. If the season did start here, we have just lost our first game 2-0 to Barnet.

In the same edition of the Evening Press, Terry Dolan said talk was cheap - just as well, otherwise York would surely be facing a financial crisis too.

Having tasted the quality on offer in the Premiership at Filbert Street, I am sorely tempted to go the extra mile and watch my football at Elland Road, even though unlike the talk, it will not be quite so cheap.

Peter Stevens,

St Nicholas Croft,

Askham Bryan,

York.

Updated: 12:08 Wednesday, January 17, 2001