Lindsey's Minstermen Admission Ahead of EFL Cup Tie

York City head coach Scott Lindsey has acknowledged his need to get supporters onside with some early wins, with sections of the Minstermen fanbase still coming to terms with the shock sacking of Stuart Maynard.

Lindsey steps into the dug-out for the first time on Monday evening in the club's EFL Cup preliminary round tie against his former side Crawley Town at the LNER Community Stadium.

The 54-year-old was axed by the West Sussex outfit, who he has managed twice, just 133 days ago. Lindsey now finds himself back in management at York, who are readying themselves for their first game as a Football League club since May 2016.

York's return to the EFL has been overshadowed by Maynard's departure; he left on July 26 with a club statement citing a "difference in direction and vision for the football club" as the reason to part company with the ex-Notts County and Wealdstone chief.

Supporters' views have been decidedly mixed regarding the appointment of Lindsey, who can boast a promotion from League Two on his CV from his first spell at Crawley in 2023-24.

Lindsey, who has firmly denied that there will be any interference with his team selection as head coach, said: "I'm really proud to be the head coach of this football club and to come out on Monday in front of the home supporters, it is important that we build that relationship quite soon.

"I understand what's going on certainly (last week) and I think that probably the only way of getting a little bit more onside is by winning games of football. Rule number one as a football coach is to win games of football and I'm fully respectful of that and I know that's what we've got to do and that's what we'll be trying to do."

York must make do without key striker Josh Stones, who sits out the cup tie with Crawley through injury although Lindsey is hopeful that he won't be too far away from the start of the league season.

Midfielder Hiram Boateng will be sidelined for a longer spell. Defenders Jeff King and Mark Kitching are also likely to miss Monday's game with knocks.

Meanwhile, Lindsey says that he has been impressed by the reaction and professionalism of his players since his dramatic arrival at the club, whose League Two opener is at home to Bristol Rovers on Saturday week.

He continued: "I see a real professionalism within the group. You go to some clubs (and) there's one or two that you're not sure of in terms of personality and that, but these lads are proper. Every one of them is a really good character, good person and good professional.

"They all train hard and work hard, they all do their gym (work) properly, are on time and are all polite. They're all nice and they all work hard. When you've got that professionalism and that drive and energy, you've got a chance and this group have definitely got a chance of doing something special this year."

If they get past Crawley, York will visit Championship outfit Watford in the first round on Saturday. Next fixture: vs Rochdale (at home, 2027-02-27).