York City winger Anthony Straker admits the late goals the club have conceded during their opening two games have been frustrating, but believes the team will bounce back quickly.
The Minstermen were dumped out of the Capital One Cup by local rivals Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night thanks to Harry Forrester’s added time goal. That result came just days after dropping two points away to Tranmere, conceding in the 94th minute at Prenton Park.
Both were games in which York dominated, despite playing in a lower division than their opponents last season, and Straker insists there is more to come.
“In both games we have gone out and showed what we are capable of doing,” the winger said exclusively to the72.co.uk. “Once we keep doing what we know we are good at, keep causing problems and put the ball in the net at the other end, I think that kind of thing will look after itself.
“It is just the minor details that we need to take care of and I think we’ll certainly be capable of doing that.”
Having lost in the play-offs with Southend last season, falling at the semi-final stage just as York did, Straker says there is a mutual desire to make up for the heartache of missing out on League One.
“I think everyone at the club knows that and they do have that hunger. We know that we are capable of playing in the league above and we want to help the club in moving forwards. With everyone showing that hunger to get promotion, it is good to be going the right way and we’re enjoying it.”
Straker turned down a couple of offers during the summer to play his football at Bootham Crescent. Along with the likes of Jason Mooney, Marvin McCoy, Femi Ilesanmi and Luke Summerfield, boss Nigel Worthington has assembled a squad with a high level of lower league experience, which has impressed the London-born winger.
“When you first come in you don’t know what you are going to enter into, but I think it has shown that the squad have got that drive and a lot of the boys keep showing what they want in training. When people have obviously got to step down there are boys ready to take their spots and show what they can do.
“Femi Ilesanmi, who plays on the left behind me, has shown me what he is capable of doing, and I think he’s got a lot more to come, and I think
he will prove that over the season.”
Worthington, now entering into his second full season with the club, was quoted recently as having said that he now feels he has ‘a squad he can call his own’. The former Northern Ireland manager was a key figure in bringing Straker to the club, and has already been picking up plenty of tips.
“Every day you are learning something new from the gaffer. He is always passing on information, whether you are out on the training field or even just passing by in the training ground itself. He is always giving you some kind of information so I think once you take it on board you are only going to become a better player.
“It is a new experience being up north for the first time. It is a new challenge and someone new to try and work with. He’s got a good CV himself so it was obviously nice to have interest from him.”
