FORMER Cougar coach Lee Crooks is waiting in the wings at York this weekend -- and will be aiming to take the wind out of his old club's early season form.

Crooks, has his old coaching partner Frank Punchard - who also coached at Keighley - at his side and they have already started to build York into a formidable outfit. Last weekend they travelled to Hull KR and produced an incredible defensive performance. They eventually went down 2-0, but prevented the Hull side from scoring a try.

"They will certainly not be as easy as some people think, but we are confident and the lads have trained well this week," said Cougar coach Steve Deakin.

He was delighted with his side's victory over Dewsbury Rams last weekend and aims to keep their 100 per cent record.

"I couldn't have asked more from the lads last week, it was impossible to find anyone who under-achieved. A large part of our success as down to our defensive organisation."

But 'Deaks' was also delighted with the team's attacking performance. They kept the ball alive at every opportunity with snappily timed off-loads in the tackle and sparkling expansive play.

Instead of being drawn into a dour forward battle he decided take on the Rams with slick handling and nippy footwork -- and it worked.

"We completed 28 out of 32 sets of six tackles which under the conditions, and considering we tried to put the football about was fantastic.

"Our kicking game was also very good and was a big factor.

"It wasn't that Dewsbury had a bad game, they scored one try, crossed our line twice more - and were held on their backs - and were bundled into touch at the corner flag twice. It was just that our defensive commitment was superb."

He added that they had been working on maintaining the same level of commitment for this weekend's game.

"We had a very good meeting earlier in the week and Tuesday's training session also went very well. There is a very real 'purpose' in the camp and they are aiming to prepare for every game to the very best of their ability.

"If we can continue like that the results will take care of themselves," he said.

The A team was due to play last night (Thursday) with Chris Hannah, Steve Pickles and Allan Boothroyd coming back into contention.

"All the players have to be mindful of the fact that if they want to be considered for the first team they have not only to train well, but must play well in the reserve team and then wait their chance - when a door closes for one member of the squad it will open for another."

But he expected to be fielding the same team against York which had beaten Dewsbury.

"After a performance and a result like that it would not be possible to leave any of the players out. We came through with a clean sheet as far as injuries are concerned."

Lee Crooks believes he needs his best 17 players on duty if he is to even stand a chance of holding Keighley who are the early league leaders .

But is highly unlikely that he will have his first choice squad since loose forward Spencer Hargrave is already ruled out with a broken thumb, Mickey Ramsden and Gareth Stephens both have hamstring problems and Darren Hughes has a dead leg.

Crooks said: "We only had 15 of our 22-man squad in training this week, the rest are having treatment. So I am not certain just how we will line-up against the Cougars."

But Deakin's squad know that Crooks will be keen to do well against his old club and will probably be playing his cards close to his chest.

"We hope to see plenty of travelling fans at York, the support gives our lads a big boost," Deakin said.