ADAM HINSHELWOOD expressed his excitement for first versus second in the National League on Saturday, as York City travel down to Forest Green Rovers for a 5.30pm kick-off.
York’s slim lead of one point at the top of the table is in jeopardy on Saturday, as Forest Green look to leapfrog City by stretching their unbeaten run to seven.
The hosts have managed 11 wins from 17 matches so far this season, the same as York, whilst losing just one more match than the Minstermen with the two teams almost inseparable ahead of kick-off.
Hinshelwood admitted his excitement at what is expected to be City’s biggest match of the season so far, with his side able to potentially stretch their lead to four points with a win.
“As a manager, as fans and as players, if you can’t get excited for these kind of games then you shouldn’t be doing it really,” Hinshelwood told BBC York.
“It’s first vs second, live on the TV and a late kick-off.
“It has all of the hallmarks of a really big game, and we’ve got to relish that, that’s what we want the players and the fans to become accustomed to, these big games.
“It was a big game against a rival on Saturday and then we go to Forest Green away the next week.
“It’s tough, it’s relentless, but these are the games that we have to thrive and have to enjoy as staff, and we hope that the players will as well.
“It’s a real opportunity for us to showcase ourselves against one of the top teams, that’s all it is at this sort of stage.
“It’s one that we will relish because we’re in a good place, they will relish it because they are doing well as of late as well.
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“It’s got all of the hallmarks of a real good game and we want to make sure that we are providing our part in that tie, whilst at the same time having the respect for the opposition.”
Hinshelwood remains wary of a Forest Green team that are known for playing a different style of football to City, with the boss also impressed by the level of recruitment that Steve Cotterill has conducted in the club’s return to the National League.
“They are extremely good in both boxes, they attack, they’ve got a long throw as well.
“ In both boxes, where it matters, they are extremely good at defending their box well and attacking it as well.
“They will look at that stat as being the most important, as we all will really.
“We like to control the game and get the ball into the final third, but there’s more than one way of doing it.
“They obviously spend a lot of time and focus on what happens in both boxes, and ultimately that is where games are won and lost. Where it actually matters, they are very good.
“They have recruited really well for the level and they definitely will be the team to beat and be ahead of.
“If you’re ahead of Forest Green towards the end of the season, then you’re definitely going to be in the mix.
“It’s an opportunity to forge a bit of a gap, but nothing more than that at this stage.
“We’re in a good run of form ourselves and we’ll look forward to the game, but we most certainly won’t take the opposition lightly.”
Cotterill has been in charge of the hosts since January, and oversaw the club’s relegation to the National League, which was back-to-back drops down divisions.
The Forest Green boss has impressed with how he has managed to turn the club’s downwards fortunes around, but Cotterill won’t be on the sideline alongside Hinshelwood on Saturday, due to a touchline ban.
“Huge respect to the job that Steve has done.
“He has got a lot of experience, not just at this level but above this level as well, there’s stuff as a young manager trying to make their way up in the game, and there are the kind of people that you aspire to and want to come up against.
“I’m really looking forward to it, I can’t speak highly enough of the job that he has done, especially this season.
“He has recruited really well for the level and they are a real threat in both boxes.
“We’ve got to defend our box better and be more clinical when we get chances, but we’re in a good place, a good run of form ourselves and we want to try and maintain that.
Hinshelwood said on Cotterill’s absence from the touchline: “Yeah it is [hard], but at the same time I had one myself for one or two games towards the end of last season at a crucial stage for us.
“In some ways, you can take a high stance and viewpoint and see sometimes a better view of the game.
“Sometimes it gives you a bit more clarity in what you’re seeing.
“It’s not ideal and I’m sure that Steve would love to be within the technical area and barking at players giving orders, but with that you also get an advanced viewpoint and sometimes that can really help.”
