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The implications of a good Cup run
Simon Wright of Grorty Dick comments on last night's game and the implications of a good Cup run.
Good fun tonight, huh? Blackpool went the same way as Doncaster and Scunthorpe, League clubs bemused by the passing and ball skills of Hereford United. Non-League sides aren't supposed to play like that! Rather like the guy who had to read out the unemployment figures in the mid-1970's, supporters of Boston United will have their head in their hands, lamenting loudly "Oh no... no no no."
Cup runs are great fun. They're ethereal things, often over before they've begun. Progress ought to be enjoyed and savoured. But there's a price to pay for winning Cup matches. More matches, as likely as not one after the other will pile up. Suspensions, injuries (after playing Stevenage), loss of form, general fatigue and so on will also come into play. I predict now that Forest Green is going to be a slog - maybe even a most unwelcome home defeat purely because of the Cup factor - the Lord Mayor's Show syndrome. And that's just one game. There's going to be a lot more to come. Morecambe away has been re-arranged for midweek - a splendid midweeker that one - and Carlisle Home could be shifted because of their potential involvement in the Trophy (hopefully our involvement too - we owe Accrington!) .
There is the possibility of being involved in three different Cup competitions in January - maybe even more than three without counting any chickens. It's a ridiculous number, which few League clubs have to deal with and this is little Hereford with their very little squad.
It's a dilemma alright. The Bulls need every penny they can get but equally the target must be a return to the League. There's only so long that talented young players can be found willing to come on a one year contract to replace those moving on up themselves. An extended Cup programme will damage United's League chances. With Barnet so far in front, the play-offs are a more realistic option - and we all know what a tiring slog those matches are.
I feel Hereford need to invest a little and bring in one or two players to broaden the squad and give the regulars a much deserved break. Graham Turner and John Trewick are likely to dip when they've dipped before - the younger players at the local pro. clubs. That "Tucka" played a part in developing young Albion players is well-known. Now that Megson has departed (they didn't get on) and replaced by a former team-mate in Bryan Robson, a request will be looked upon favourably. It helps Albion. With 32 professionals, the younger players just aren't getting a look in even at second team level. Sad to relate that since Tucka left, the production line has ground to a halt and there aren't many players left that could do Hereford a job. I rate Albion's well-built and youthful full back Phillip Midworth. The speed of striker Kyle Patterson could help, I suppose. Not much going - perhaps say quality rather than quantity.
The other obvious port of call is Wolverhampton, or the Dingles as they're known in these parts. Turner's connections here are obvious and of course Tucka Trewick ran the Under 17 for the Dingles Academy before he moved to Edgar Street. I believe that Tucka was headhunted by Academy Director Chris Evans for the job so there's another important contact. I know nothing at all about younger Wolves players but they do have a reputation for throwing a lot of money at their Academy so presumably they must have something to show for it.
The local club with the classy kids are I regret to say, at Aston Villa. Their reserve team is remarkable - all young talented players. They are top of the Premier Reserve League again and progress to the later stages of the FA Youth Cup is basically expected. Not all can make it into the first team so there could be scope for Graham Turner there?
Whichever club Hereford's decision makers choose to talk to (if any of course) then you might anticipate a positive response. The Conference is not normally the place where youngsters are loaned. However, as we know, Hereford are a special Conference club who play the game with a style not often seen in the Third or Fourth Division, never mind Non-League. A loan period would offer so much in the art of playing proper football that I couldn't see anybody saying no to it.
