YORK City boss Billy McEwan has revealed how the "four Cs" can catapult the Minstermen into the Conference play-offs.

As City prepare to face Oxford in their make-or-break end-of-season encounter at KitKat Crescent tomorrow, McEwan called on his players to focus on his keys to success - confidence, composure, commitment and concentration.

The Minstermen know a draw against Jim Smith's outfit will guarantee their place in the Conference post-season. But McEwan said his side would not be sitting back trying to settle for a point.

And as he comes up against the man who he worked under as a coach at Derby County, McEwan also revealed he had yet to speak to his friend and former employer this week.

"I could go and stick five defenders across the back and five in midfield - or one up - and sit back and absorb pressure and we might get caught in the last minute so we have got to approach it the way we approach every game. We want to win. If we don't win, we draw - we're not thinking about the other thing," McEwan said.

"We talk about that (staying calm) every week. It is part of what I call the four Cs - confidence, composure, commitment and concentration. We talk about them before every game and most of all, tomorrow, they have got to control their emotions and control their feelings and stay calm and composed and confident.

"We will get the commitment. We have just got to make sure we don't overspill it and go chasing the game and get caught because, if we get caught, good players will punish you.

"It has happened a few times this season where we have been going hell for leather at teams and getting caught at the other end and we can't afford to do that.

"We have got to attack but it has got to be a disciplined attack. We can't go gung ho because the fans are screaming. We need discipline. I don't think they will need much motivating.

"We know it is a big game. We are aware of that. We know what we've got to do. Hopefully we can get the right result.

"I have not spoken to Jim at all. He's a busy man, so am I, but I will probably give him a call before the weekend. They've got a big squad and it all depends how Jim is going to approach the game. They want to win it. He will want to try to avoid injuries so he may rest a few.

"He may also play his strongest side and keep the continuity going but we're aware of the players they've got. I am sure they will be approaching the game as professionally as we are and it is all about what our York players do.

"We are under no illusion that the team we are playing were at one point 16 points clear in this division. They've finished second. They've had a great season. It will be a tough, tough game for us and we can't underestimate Oxford one bit."


What happens if...

City win - they are in the play-offs.

City draw - they are in the play-offs.

City lose - they will miss out on the play-offs if Exeter and Burton botH win their home games against Southport and Rushden & Diamonds respectively.


Tomorrow's squads

City (probable): Evans, Purkiss, McGurk, Parslow, James, Woolford, Bishop, Panther, Bowey, Farrell, Donaldson. Subs: Gamble, Lloyd, Greenwood, Convery, Brodie.

Oxford (probable): Turley, L Foster, Quinn, Gilchrist, Anaclet, Pettefer, M Foster, Rose, Johnson, Duffy, Zebrowski. Subs: Burgess, Hargreaves, Odubade, Robinson, Tardif.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Ashington).

Kick-off: 3pm