York City v AFC Wimbledon: York chief planning an attacking gamble

The Minstermen have netted just six times in nine home League Two games this season, comfortably the most feeble statistic in the fourth tier.

It is part of the reason why they languish fourth from bottom and are still worrying about a long season battling against relegation, instead of looking forward to a possible play-off assault.

“I want to pick a team that’s more offensive than it has been,” said manager Wilcox, who may recall on-loan striker Sheffield United striker Diego De Girolamo to the starting line-up.

Symptomatic of York’s troubles is the fact that De Girolamo is the club’s joint highest scoring striker, and he has only started four league games.

“I think that’s the key to playing at home now,” added Wilcox, whose side have played Wimbledon twice in the last five weeks and not got the better of them.

“We’ve got to take some chances and gamble a bit more because six goals in nine home games is not good enough and, if the game then ends up 3-2 to us, that would be fantastic.

“We know what we will be getting from Wimbledon and it’s all about dealing with that.

“Even though they play more football than last season, they are still direct at times and will be looking to get the ball up to (Adebayo) Akinfenwa. You have to try and deal with the first ball and, if you can’t deal with that, then make sure you win the second one and that means going with your runners like Matt Tubbs.

“We kept Akinfenwa quiet in the first game at our place but in the replay he was very effective.”