ADAM HINSHELWOOD believes that York City have been dealt with a tough hand on the opening day of the Vanarama National League campaign, with a trip down to Southend United.

The York manager is anticipating a difficult match against a ‘settled’ Southend side that has overcome adversity in the past few years, before welcoming new owners in the off-season and entering the new campaign in a much healthier position.

Hinshelwood expects the Shrimpers to be on a high, and had nice words to say to his opposing manager Kevin Maher, who had led Southend through the darkest days in their history.

“They certainly are [settled]. They will have high aspirations and expectations for this season, and you can see why,” Hinshelwood detailed.

“In their last couple of games they have played an expansive style of football and have some real quality for this level in their ranks.

“It’s a tough start, but a great game for us to go and show what we can do as well.

“I’m sure that we’ll take loads of fans there and loads from Southend, it will be a nice big crowd and what a spectacle that could be.

“Not so long ago, they were in League One and Championship even, it’s a great test for us and one that we are really looking forward to, one that we’ve got to relish.”

Hinshelwood discussed Maher and his Director of Football Darren Currie, speaking on the turmoil that United have faced in recent times, as well as the strength they possess for Saturday.

Hinshelwood told the Press: “I think he’s done an unbelievable job, it’s been well documented of the problems that they have had off the pitch and he hasn’t let it affect them.

“If it hadn’t been for a points deduction, they would have finished very handsomely.

“He’s [Maher] done an unbelievable job and I’ve got nothing but praise and admiration for the job that he has done there.

“I know Darren Currie really well and he’s got a lot of experience, he’s done a great job at Barnet himself as a manager, so he’s got a really good team behind him as well.

“Both on and off the pitch, it’s a tough task for us and we’re coming up against a really good crop of players and staff as well.

“The players have got to relish playing in these big games and I’m no different. Me and my coaching staff are relishing coming up against a good manager of that calibre.”