A VIDEO nasty formed part of York City's preparations for tonight's trip to Carlisle United, boss Terry Dolan has revealed.

Less than 24 hours after Tuesday night's 5-1 Worthington Cup hammering by Stoke, the City manager had his players sitting uncomfortably watching the crushing defeat on video.

But Dolan insisted the move was aimed at highlighting the positives as much as stressing the negatives to his confidence-hit troops.

"It was done partly to encourage the players by showing them the football they played, particularly in the first half when I thought we played very well and were unfortunate to go 1-0 down," explained Dolan.

"The second half highlighted that Stoke scored far too easily.

"The players are aware of that and every now and then it doesn't do them any harm to see it in 'black and white' on a video.

"Let's hope they have learned from that and the quicker they do the better for all concerned.

"I just hope we are getting all our problems out of the way early on in the season and then we can settle down.

"The sooner we can get a result the better that will be for everybody."

The City manager has received a massive boost ahead of tonight's match with goalkeeper Alan Fettis shaking off the back injury that ruled him out against Stoke and declaring himself fit.

Fettis is expected to be the only change to the starting line-up from that which took to the field against the Potters, although Matt Hocking is added to the squad to provide some defensive cover on the bench.

Dolan admitted his players' confidence had taken a knock because of their dreadful start to the season.

"We did well at the end of last season and had an encouraging pre-season. The players built up their confidence and their fitness was quite good but then all of a sudden three bad results does dent that confidence," he said.

"But the players are still chirpy in training which is a good sign and it is just a case of getting that first point or victory.

"They know they haven't played as well as they can do as a unit efficiently and are looking forward to the match."

The City boss indicated he is set to stick with the 4-4-2 formation he introduced for the first time this season against Stoke.

"We changed the system on Tuesday night and the players looked relatively comfortable," said Dolan, who admitted playing with two small forwards in David McNiven and Peter Duffield had also forced a change in tactics.

"With David and Peter holding the striking positions at the moment the thing we have got to do is pass the ball into feet or keep it low when we are crossing it.

"But the attacking side of things has got to take second place at the moment because we have got to stop goals going in first."

The City chief accepted York will have to battle hard tonight if they are to pick up their first points of the season.

"We had Carlisle watched at Grimsby on Tuesday and although they lost 2-0 the reports were they worked very hard, which you would expect.

"But our players have got to go to Carlisle wanting to get this win under their belts," he said.

Caught napping

YORK City conceded five goals at Bootham Crescent against Stoke City for the first time for exactly 13 years.

On August 22, 1987, Notts County won 5-3 at York in the old Third Division. Playing for the Magpies that day was current Sky TV pundit Andy Gray.

In post-war football there have been seven other instances of City having let in a nap hand at home.

1948/9 v Darlington 2-5; 1949-50 v Gateshead 1-5; 1957/8 v Carlisle Utd 0-5; 1963/4 v Carlisle Utd (FA Cup) 2-5; 1965/6 Bristol Rovers 1-5; 1968/9 v Grimsby Town 2-5; 1986/7 v Walsall 1-5.

York City v Carlisle

Nationwide League Division 3

at Brunton Park tonight 7.45 pm

York City

Probable: Alan Fettis, Barry Jones, Mark Sertori, Gary Hobson, Wayne Hall, Graham Potter, Steve Agnew, Kevin Hulme, Peter Duffield, David McNiven, Darren Edmondson.

Subs: from - Russ Howarth, Matt Hocking, Lee Bullock, Barry Conlon, Christian Fox, Colin Alcide.

Injury news: Peter Swan (knee), Chris Fairclough (knee), Craig Skinner (thigh)

Carlisle

From: Luke Weaver, Mark Birch, Tony Hemmings, Jamie Squires, Stuart Whitehead, Mark Winstanley, Julian Darby, David Lee, Steve Soley, Ian Stevens, Carl Heggs.

Subs: from - Matthew Pitts, Richard Prokas, Peter Keen, Scott Dobie, Richard Tracey, Craig McAughtrie, Adam Thwaites.

Injury news: None

Referee: Phil Richards (Preston)

Match Facts

CITY have won on three of their last four visits to Brunton Park but overall in 36 league trips to Cumbria they have only recorded six victories.

They were successful on their last pre-war visit (1938/9, 3-1) and their first in the post war period (146/7, 2-1) and in 1954/5 won a remarkable game 5-4. In this match Billy Fenton hit four goals and Mick Granger made his league debut in goal.

How to get to Brunton Park

By car - A1(M) to junc with A66 (Scotch Corner) take second exit A66. At junction with A592/M6 join M6 northbound to Carlisle. Leave motorway at junc 43 (A69 to Carlisle) in one mile Brunton Park on right.

By train - York dep 15.32, Newcastle arr 16.34; Newcastle dep 17.11, Carlisle arr 18.38.

Note - No return Friday services

City's recent wins were 2-1 in 1992/3 (Jon McCarthy and Nigel Pepper penalty), 2-1 in 1997/8 (Alan Pouton and Andy McMillan) and last term when John Williams headed the only goal of the game.

Players to have appeared for both clubs include Keith Walwyn, Scott Endersby, David McAughtrie, Gordon Staniforth and Paul Baker.