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Wednesday Comment
Andy Holmes of Wyvern FM has been following recent progress of Hereford United.
"Well the Bulls are back on track in the league but it's fair to say there's a
long way to go if they're goner catch Barnet and even Carlisle at the top of the
Conference. Without wishing to sound too defeatist, I can't see them doing it
either, not because they lack ability and skill, I just feel that Barnet are
doing a Chester from last year, nicking wins in the final moments which is a
vital thing to do. But if we forget about the Bees and Carlisle, United are
still doing okay so far thank you very much.
If anything the fact that they're as high as third ahead of Christmas is a
tribute to the hard work that Graham Turner and John Trewick have put in.
If you remember the last time we reached the play offs you'll see why...
We jettisoned several players after defeats against Darlington and surrendered
key players like Steve White who were looking for more secure and
higher paid contracts.
This time the lure of league football's lost us many stars with unspectactular
results so far for those that have moved on.
Last time of course we were relegated, this time we've moulded a similar size
squad together thats not really played to it's full potential, yet we're third
in the table.
So full marks to GT and JT who've made some good signings and ultimately put
together a better all round team than last time...We may lack the skill of a
Parry or a Ben Smith, but the Forest Green match saw players like Graham Hyde,
Lee Mills and Andy Tretton on the bench and Tom Smith not even in the
squad...Compare that to last year and things are looking up.
The only thing that could count against Hereford's assault on a play off place
could be the amount of options open to Turner.
Edgar Street has FOUR high quality centre halves to put into two spots, in
midfield Jamie Pitman, Danny Williams, Graham Hyde, Craig Stanley and Rob Purdie
have to be fitted into four positions, and Simon Travis, David Brown and Tamika
Mkandawire are also options across the park.
Then there's the striking dilemma with Adam Stansfield, Mills and Brown
competing for places, before the raw Danny Carey Bertram's even in the frame.
Personally, having seen the last four home games, I think Tom Smith's got the
potential to be better in the long term than Tony James at the back but may have
to wait his turn while the skipper and ultimately Andy Tretton are in place in
front of Craig Mawson..However you could easily argue that Smith and Tammy could
stake a claim on merit as well right now..
In midfield, Stanley has a tremendous engine and has been the find of the season
so far for me...After a slow start Graham Hyde's now showing his true class in
there as well but Pitman and Williams have also impressed...The only
disappointment in there for me so far has been Rob Purdie. Thanks to injury and
a lack of games, he's yet to show the real Rob Purdie, although he scared
Blackpool in the LDV, more of the same please Rob.
Up front Mills has suprised me, not with his ability, that was obvious as soon
as he arrived, but with his goals. I expected him to reach double figures over a
season, not by the festive season. Having seen him in action for Yeovil, I knew
Stansfield would do the business, again he's proved that already, what a steal.
Which still leaves Brown whose almost caught between two stools right now.
As a striker he's not scoring at the moment, but Purdie's probably a better
overall option on the wing. However Brown will always work hard and the goals
will come for him soon, probably in a big chunk when they're needed.
And all that before Ryan Green's fit again...Things are looking good, can't wait
til next April although I suspect we'll be doing it the hard way again.
