Thorman taking positives from NRC campaign

York City Knight’s player coach Chris Thorman believes his side can take confidence into the Championship on the back of an impressive Northern Rail Cup campaign.

Despite losing 34-4 to Sheffield last Friday and losing out on a quarter final place Thorman has been impressed with his side throughout their games ahead of their opening Championship fixture against Dewsbury.

And Thorman says his side have a strong mental attitude going into the league season.

He said: “Confidence is a big thing and getting into that winning habit, which we have got into early. 

“I can’t stress enough how important it is to know how to win. Even against Doncaster we kicked a drop goal just before half time to go 19 points up.

“I want all my players to have good game awareness and understand those sorts of things and the bonus point situation. We didn’t pick up enough bonus points last year and I just think if our performances can be good enough we’ll stay in the arm wrestle a bit longer and pick up more bonus points this year.”

York have recruited well brining in Jordan Tansey and Paul King, and Thorman has been impressed with both of his key signings throughout the Northern Rail Cup games.

He said: “Kingy (Paul King) is an old war horse, and he is going to miss a few games through injury and through needing a rest because his body has taken a battering over the years.

“He doesn’t want to miss games, which is what I love. I’ve told him he is not going to play every game and his reaction has been ‘but I don’t want to miss any games.

“Jordan on the other hand is super talented and a great ball player. We’ve got some good fullbacks, but I’ve got him playing half back so he can get his hands on the ball a little bit more and his performances have been improving week on week.

“The longer he stays in the team the longer players learn to understand how his mind works.”