Before the official Arsenal host, York City have five League One games to play.

And these five games are in the most headache of the Christmas schedule!

In particular, York City had to play three games in those six or seven days, from December 26 to January 2.

This is also due to the fact that York City has "strategically" abandoned the Carabao Cup and the English Championship.

Otherwise, from December 10, they may face a double or even three matches a week.

For a League One team, if they keep an unbeaten list in every cup competition, the schedule will be more frequent than that of the Premier League teams.

There are 24 teams in League One that play 46 league games a year, plus the League Cup, FA Cup, English Championship...... The Premier League team only has 38 league games.

There is a more important reason for this, which is that Premier League fixtures are usually scheduled to end in mid-to-late May, while League One is often finished in late April, when League One has to play a promotion play-off.

More games, but in a shorter period of time, so League One also needs to schedule more games during the winter break, and it has become the busiest league - the Championship also has 24 teams and also needs to play play-offs, but they don't need to play in the Championship.

In this regard, York City can only move forward.

Second-placed Scunthorpe are still in the hunt and if they can try to win the five races around the Christmas schedule, they can widen the gap between them.

But it's hard to do it.

After a busy period of October and November, York City had a bit of a fitness problem at the end of November.

Especially the veterans in the team.

Goalkeeper Isaksen and defender Westermann are better, but the Swedish veteran Karlström, who is the core of the midfield, is a little unbearable.

Combined with his leadership role on the pitch, he started almost every game in midfield, and the midfield position had more runs than other positions, which caused Karlström to be a bit physically overdrawn.

Finally, he went to the ground unchallenged in a recent training session and was found to have a thigh muscle strain, which will leave Karlström out for two to three months, which will also cause Karlström to miss the FA Cup match against his former club Arsenal.

The captain's injury also changed the mentality of the York City players a little, and in the next league game with Milton Keynes Dons, they lost 1:2 and suffered their first defeat of the season!

Milton Keynes Dons, formerly known as the "Crazy Gang" Wimbledon, played in the Championship last season, and their strength is still good, and they also caused considerable problems for York City in the game.

York City's performance in this game was actually not bad, there was some negligence in the opening period, and a sneak attack by Milton Keynes Dons scored a goal, but through the team's efforts, they quickly recovered the score.

After that, York City launched a fierce counterattack against Milton Keynes Keynes, but the team always seemed to have missed the goal, especially Baker and Armand, who have been getting more and more brave recently, failed to score, but the opponent counterattacked and scored again!

York City had 20 shots on goal with 10 on target and scored one goal, while Milton Keynes Dons had 10 shots and five on target, both of which were exactly half the size of York City but scored two goals.

Speaking to the media after the game, Scaloni said the defeat was a stroke of bad luck as York City dominated the game but lacked luck to take their chances to score.

Faced with the media's doubts about the decline of YorkCity's form, Scaloni did not deny it.

He thinks it's a long season and a team's form will inevitably fluctuate and it's normal for it to decline, but he believes the team can get through it.

Pan Yi was also interviewed by the media the next day, but he publicly said that he thought the team lost at the right time.

It's just the beginning of a campaign, and a defeat can put the burden of unbeaten on the back of the pack and come back in better shape for the upcoming sprint, and he believes in the manager and the players that they can get through the toughest of fixtures.

"But there are also those who say that York City has spent too much energy on the FA Cup, which has led to the impact of League One. If you continue to insist on fighting on two fronts, I am afraid that you will end up with nothing after the season! Immediately, a journalist gave his opinion.

Pan Yi smiled: "I don't deny it, but what I want to say is that our team has done well in the FA Cup and I am proud of the players. Our number one goal this season is promotion, but if the manager and the players are keen to go far in the FA Cup, then I'm for it! Well, in fact I don't want my team to surrender when they see Arsenal......"

"But I feel that the current squad is really difficult to withstand the consumption of such a schedule. After Karlström's injury, are you prepared to add reinforcements in the winter window? ”

Pan Yi replied calmly: "I originally thought that the team's current staffing is very good, so there is no need for any more reinforcements. It's a bit short of people in midfield right now, so I'll take another look and if there's the right person, I'll make a move. ”

This is mainly due to the importance of Karlström's position for the team.

The current midfielders of the team are all young people like Rice and Kulusevski, inexperienced and sometimes frizzy, and when there are no veterans on the field, they often play more and more chaotically.

Now that Karlström is injured, Pan Yi is indeed going to find someone to replenish him.

Of course, this is not an easy task.

It's really difficult to find a player who is as capable and experienced as Karlström and who is willing to come to League One to "alleviate poverty".

So Pan Yi really has to think about it, and then go to the transfer market to see if he can brush his face or something.

At the same time, the team's affairs are more in the hands of Scaloni and his coaching staff.

Next up is a home game against Port Vale in another hard-fought game.

The York City players also looked still in a slump, and despite playing at home, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Port Vale.

After the game, the news of Scanthorpe's victory came, and York City were tied by Scanthorp's points!

York City has 13 wins, 8 draws and 1 loss with 47 points, while Scunthorpe has 14 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses, which is also 47 points!

Although York City is still at the top of the table due to goal difference, if you look at recent form, this position is already in jeopardy.

However, when interviewed by the media, whether it is the players or the manager, including the officials of the club, everyone is unanimous in their voice, believing that although the current predicament of the team is difficult, it can be overcome, and the team's performance will be better and better in the future.

The unity of the top and bottom, and the fact that everyone is twisted into a rope, has surprised many people who are ready to see the conflict in the wake of Yorktown's troubles.

Because they didn't see the York City players complaining in the media, and even on the contrary, everyone was united and thought that the situation of the team would definitely improve!

——

After Christmas, York City had a crucial game in the game away to Southan United.

If they fail to win this game, they will likely be overtaken by Scanthorpe in the standings.

To make matters worse, third-placed Sheffield United are also pressing closer, with only three points behind the top two and now level with York City and Scanthorpe on points after winning the first game.

It's even scarier than losing the League One title, because if Sheffield United catch up, it means that York City will fall into the promotion play-off zone in the 3-6 place range!

Therefore, York City also attached great importance to it, and Scaloni also sent all the main players in the game.

In the midfield position, at the suggestion of Pan Yi, Scaloni pushed Westerman to the back position and partnered Rice.

The centre-back, on the other hand, put the 39-year-old veteran Ian Hart on top and teamed up with the young De Ligt.

In doing so, it is to give priority to ensuring the interception ability and running ability of the midfield, and avoid the collapse caused by the loss of momentum in the midfield.

In the first half, the two sides played 0:0, and at the beginning of the second half, Nanan United calculated the poor physical fitness of the York City players, changed the passive defense in the first half, and played offensive tactics, hoping to take the lead in scoring the goal of York City.

At this time, the double back of Westerman and Rice played a good role in protecting the defence, forming a steely defensive line at the edge of the penalty area, and hardly giving Southman United any chance to enter the box.

And with the South Union attacking, the attacking space of several players in York City's front court has also been expanded, and the performance of the players has gradually improved.

In the 72nd minute, Armand made a speed breakthrough on the left side, and then inserted diagonally into the penalty area and knocked it to Baker in the middle, who made a smart mistake, and Lin Liangming, who was inserted in the back row, pushed the near corner, and the goalkeeper couldn't save it.

0：1！

This is also the recent change in York City's forward line, that is, Armand plays on the left, while Lin Liangming plays on the right like in the national team, so that the power of the inside forward tactics can be better played.

After the goal, the morale of the York City players increased, and their offensive began to play gradually.

Lin Liangming, in particular, almost turned the left side of Nanan United into a sieve on the right side, and he assisted Baker's goal five minutes later, and then converted Westerman's through the middle into a goal in the 87th minute.

0:3, York City played the most hearty attack in recent games in less than 20 minutes, beating the opponent completely!

This victory also allowed York City to continue to lead the standings.

Lin Liangming's recent excellent performance in League One and the national team has also attracted the attention of many clubs, especially from the domestic Chinese Super League teams.

However, Lin Liangming firmly stated that he would only play in Europe and would never go back!

And Pan Yi also said in the interview: "We will not take the initiative to sell Lin Liangming, he is our absolute main force." ”

Then, he also announced the results of his work over the past few years, that is, the team's biggest reinforcements during the winter break have been in place!

——

Xavi Alonso has been at the training base in York City for several days now.

Now he is still a Bayern Munich player, and he can appear here, of course, because of Pan Yi's invitation!

Just two weeks ago, he announced that he would retire at the end of the season, officially ending his career.

But at this moment, Pan Yi's phone called: "Come to us for another half a season, or more?" ”

If it were someone else, Alonso would of course immediately refuse.

After all, he is now nearly 35 years old, and he feels that his physical condition is getting worse day by day.

It may be able to barely reach the level of the top five leagues, but it certainly won't be able to establish itself in a big club like Bayern.

It is precisely because of this that he resolutely made the decision to retire, and no one can dissuade him!

But now, this "who" is Pan Yi.

This inevitably made Alonso hesitate.

That's because, even if he's retiring, he doesn't want to leave football.

Alonso's vision is to get a coaching certificate after retiring from football, then start coaching in small teams or youth teams, slowly move on to the top five leagues, and finally end up next to the grass field he is familiar with.

In this process, if there is a Master's guidance, it will definitely benefit a lot.

And now, the best "Master" in this world has taken the initiative to come to him!

Isn't this pie in the sky?

Although Pan Yi is still presented as a "boss" in most cases, he is obviously still guiding his disciples such as Arteta and Scaloni, and his consulting work in the Dragon Country national team has also gone deep into the front line.

If you can stay in Pan Yi's club for a year or two, this is really equivalent to picking up the coach's cheats!

Look at Mikel Arteta, look at Scaloni, both of them have led the team to the top of the Premier League and League One, and just a year or two ago, they were just like themselves, old players ready to retire!

Arteta in particular.

The Chelsea led by him, after a bad start, actually directly achieved a terrifying record of 13 consecutive wins!

This also made Chelsea top the standings with a record of 16 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses with 49 points in 19 rounds.

The progress he has made after being guided by Pan Yi can be seen.

So Alonso ended up in England, in Yorkshire.

Then, after he toured the infrastructure of York City FC, including watching the match between York City and Southan United, Alonso strengthened his belief:

Follow Pan Yi, there must be nothing wrong with it!

Alonso was deeply impressed by the variety of training and competition equipment that went beyond the level of League One, especially the content of the games beyond League One.

This is definitely a club that is going to do big things!

And Alonso is bound to learn more knowledge in such a club and by the side of such a boss.

He will not only be a coach, but probably a good manager!

Soon after, Alonso applied to Bayern Munich for a termination.

After all, if York City finds Bayern at this time, it will have to pay a transfer fee, but it is not very cost-effective to pay for a player who is about to retire.

At this time, Alonso is actually not the absolute main force in the Bayern team, and he only made more than 20 appearances in all competitions in the team last season, and has only made more than 10 appearances so far this season.

Coupled with the fact that Alonso has decided to retire after the expiration of his contract this season, Bayern has also made a favor and agreed to terminate his contract.

And the day after Alonso became a free agent, he signed with York City!

First of all, this contract is of course for Alonso to take a significant salary cut, and York City must not be able to afford his original salary of close to 200,000 euros a week!

But Brother Long still got the team's top salary, 20,000 euros a week.

In return, Alonso's contract also states that Alonso will also serve as the team's assistant coach and will continue to hire him after his retirement.

So, Pan Yi used such an operation to solve the vacancy in the midfield caused by Karlström's injury! ——

"Guys, now for everyone, our biggest and only deal for the winter transfer......"

When Pan Yi took Alonso and Scaloni to the training ground of the first team and introduced them to everyone with a smile, the players had already applauded.

Who wouldn't know Xavi Alonso?

He has won 2 Champions Leagues, 2 European Championships, and a World Cup!

Whether it was at Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or the Spanish national team, he played at a very high level and became the heart of the team's midfield.

Arguably, he is the biggest star in York City right now, and there are even many young players who have grown up watching him play.

Although he is at the end of his career, Alonso's style of play as a midfielder has not changed much – attacking and defending with his own characteristics, pragmatic and tough.

Defensively, even though Alonso is not a pure "blue collar", his selection and judgment are very good.

And when attacking, his long balls and long-range shots are still an important means of enriching the team's attack.

This is also the reason why Pan Yi immediately thought of bringing in Alonso.

That's what York City needs most right now!

It could even be said that replacing Carlström with Alonso would be a big upgrade for York City.

It's not disrespectful to Karlström, but it is.

After all, Alonso still has the quality to play for the giants, but he can't play the absolute main force like he did in his prime.

And, as on the pitch, Xavi Alonso is also quite low-key off the pitch.

He doesn't have an exaggerated hairstyle, doesn't wear fancy clothes, doesn't wear studs, necklaces, or tattoos, but his low-key approach makes it difficult to hide his charm.

This can also reassure Pan Yi that the addition of such a star will definitely not disturb the harmony of the locker room!

And even if Karlström comes back, it won't be a big problem.

Anyway, now York City only has a strong starting lineup, and there is a very dense schedule, these old guys will play at a better level if they rotate.

Not to mention anything else, there is one more master in the midfield, and York City's offensive and defensive combination can also have a lot of tricks!

——

With a "here we go" from renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the news of Alonso's arrival in York City spread to all corners of the world.

York City also ushered in the 24th round of League One under such attention, away to Bristol Rover.

Bristol Rovers also took this game seriously, and despite being a home game, they were very self-aware and set up defensive tactics at home and counter-attacked.

Scaloni, on the other hand, did not start Alonso and still fielded the same starting line-up as he did against Southan United in the previous round.

In the face of the opponent's iron bucket formation, the overall strength of York City is still more than one cut above the opponent, especially the individual ability of the players on the field, and the trident has turned the Bristol Wanderers backline upside down.

In the first half, Baker's brace gave York City a 2-0 lead, and after the start of the second half, York City's offensive continued unabated.

In the 60th minute, Scaloni looked at the time and went to warm up for Alonso, and in the 65th minute, Scaloni decisively put him on the pitch and replaced Westerman.

Alonso's arrival drew cheers from the crowd.

In addition to the York City fans who watched the game away, there were even a number of Bristol Wanderers fans who gave a round of applause.

After all, as a League One team, there are not many opportunities to see real world-class stars on their home turf, or stars who have won European championships and World Cup titles!

After Alonso's appearance, he formed a double midfield with the young Rice, and at the same time, he frequently signaled Rice to step forward during the game, and then he deployed in the back.

Under Alonso's control, the team played with a sense of rhythm, the transition was reasonable, and after he came on, the YorkCity players looked more energetic and energetic.

In the 81st minute, it was Alonso's long pass that directly found Armand who broke through on the left side, and Mangbao directly made an unreasonable volley to help York City go to the next goal!

In the end, York City defeated their opponents 3-0 and won two in a row.

Three days later, York City returned home to host Millwall, with Marcos Alonso making his home debut at York City.

Scaloni put Marcos Alonso in the starting line-up, while Westermann returned to his more familiar centre-back role.

The game was packed to the spot, with many travelling from all over Yorkshire just to catch a glimpse of Alonso.

This can be regarded as one of the benefits of Pan Yi's "superstar strategy", which can attract more local fans to follow York City and become York City fans!

Amid the cheers of the fans, York City played at a high level against Millwall, an opponent who had drawn in the first half of the season.

This time Alonso started to work hard in the first half.

In the 15th minute, it was still his trademark long-distance overhead pass, which was accurate enough to find Lin Liangming, who was successful in the anti-offside position, and the latter directly pushed the far corner to score.

After assisting his team-mate's score, Alonso received the warmest applause from the crowd, and he was treated far more than the goal-scorer Lin Liangming, with the fans in the stands chanting Alonso's voice.

Alonso simply waved his hand at the fans to show his gratitude, but unexpectedly attracted even louder cheers.

That's superstar!

Even though he is old, even if he is about to retire, he is still so popular.

From a competitive point of view, he can still achieve dimensionality reduction on the field of English A!

"One day, I must have this kind of treatment like him!" Rice, who was on the bench in rotation today, said with envy.

Beside him, the substitutes also nodded: "Let's work together!" ”

This is again one of the benefits of introducing Alonso's "superstar effect".

Motivate the young players and let them have a goal to catch up, train hard and play!