A closer look at York City ahead of match at Southend United

York are currently 15th in the table so what have you made of the season so far?

"That opening day win against Woking feels so long ago now - the first game back in the National League for five years, and there was such a feel good factor around the club.

"We’ve had a pretty mixed bag of results, ranging from a 5-0 thrashing of Barnet and the tearing apart of Maidstone, and then there’s the dire losses at Halifax and Oldham to contrast.

• All the team news for Blues' clash with York

"I feel we started well, but the unpopular sacking of promotion-winning manager John Askey shouldn’t have happened despite the slight slip in form.

"Now under new boss David Webb, City have fallen to two consecutive defeats, and he has only won one league match across the five he has been in the dugout for."

What were the expectations this season and what do you feel can still be achieved?

"Pre-season expectations would have regarded a good campaign to be a mid-table finish.

"Realistically, you would have to say that anything but relegation in the first season back would bring satisfaction, giving time to settle back into the fifth tier.

"However, after the positive start that City had, sitting just three points of fourth place at one stage in October, there were genuine hopes from fans that the Minstermen could nail a top seven finish.

"Once again, that has alternated back to the challenge of stopping the rot that is currently ongoing, and avoiding the drop back down to National League North."

How have things gone since David Webb was appointed as manager?

"There were doubts about Webb, when he joined, due to having absolutely zilch managerial experience, but plenty of history of working in top-level clubs within other departments.

"He was taken ill and missed the first two games since his appointment, while assistant Michael Morton secured fantastic wins over Woking and Blyth.

"Webb’s opening game in the dugout was at home to strugglers Gateshead, and we went on to lose that 3-0, gifting the Heed their first away win in over three months.

"In the reverse fixture, a late leveller rescued a 2-2 draw, before home victories over Maidstone and Chelmsford, the latter a penalty shoot-out win in the FA Trophy.

"Some hope was given from that period, but the ship started to sink again, as Webb started various players out of their natural positions away at Oldham, and a dismal showing saw City fall to defeat.

"Another poor performance ended in another loss at home to Maidenhead last week too."

You also seem to have an unpopular chairman. What’s the situation with that?

"How long have you got?

"A man who said that he loves the city, the club and the fans on taking over is now tearing York City to shreds.

"Everyone could see that the club was finally heading in the right direction after promotion back to the National League last season.

"The transfer of ownership that saw Henderson take 51 per cent was also a positive move, well, that’s what most fans thought to begin with.

"It was an interview with BBC Radio York at the beginning of November that first indicated some kind of toxicity, as his relationship with manager John Askey seemed a little unsteady.

"Only a few weeks later, when City were on a bad run of form, but still sitting comfortably in mid-table, the club confirmed the sacking of Askey.

"I didn’t see one comment supporting the decision - everyone was filled with frustration and anger, and began to turn on their chairman.

"To make matters even worse, he replaced ‘one of the best York City managers in recent times’ with David Webb, who had never managed a club before.

"Yes, he had lots of experience working as a scout or in a player identification role at Tottenham, Southampton etc, but not as a manager.

"Protests against the majority shareholder have been ongoing since the sacking, and fans have continued to sing favourable chants relating to Askey, even as recent as last week.

"On the subject of last Saturday’s loss, Henderson was allegedly seen non-verbally swearing and laughing at fans, and lately confirmed he will be staying away for the time being.

"Adding to the irritation, he has also apparently prevented two key players from starting, due to a potentially extension clause in their contracts, which could be triggered.

"We could have a real hostile atmosphere over these two games at Roots Hall."

Who is the dangerman?

"Look no further than 18-year-old Watford loanee Shaqai Forde.

"After scoring late on in his substitute debut away at Gateshead, City fans had high hopes for the young lad.

"But it got better than that. Handed a start and his home debut at home to Maidstone, Forde went on to net a hat-trick, becoming the youngest ever Minsterman to do so.

"Blues defenders will have a task on their hands to keep the City forward quiet on Saturday.

What’s the team news?

"The 10 day concussion protocol meant goalkeeper Ethan Ross was frustratingly forced to sit out for the recent 2-1 loss to Maidenhead, but is set to return between the sticks this weekend.

"Star winger Maziar Kouhyar, fresh off the back of signing a new long-term contract, is beginning to ease back into training following over two months on the sidelines due to injury.

"Midfielder Gus Mafuta isn’t likely to start, as he has also been out for a while, with a calf injury.

"The issue with duo Maxim Kouogun and Alex Whittle was covered in the previous question - there are doubts as to whether they will head back into the starting 11.

"Centre-half Sam Sanders has missed the last two matches with a shoulder problem."