Yates previews Hereford Match

Cheltenham Town manager Mark Yates has been talking about next Saturday's League Two match at Edgar Street.

"I have twenty players wanting to play and, apart from Pooky, we are full strength," Yates told the Robin's OS.

"We'll see how we are today and pick a team capable of getting a positive result at Hereford.

"Hereford have been on a good run of form since Jamie Pitman took over and they are scoring goals as well as keeping clean sheets. It's going to be a really tough test on Saturday because it is a local derby and I hope the supporters come down in numbers to back the boys. The players deserve everyone's support at the moment.

"We lost to Hereford last season when I was in charge but that doesn't matter. It's a new game and we'll be going out to win.

"When you go to Edgar Street you know you have to be able to stand up to them and be strong. They have got good players and I honestly thought they'd be right up there so I have been surprised by their start. If we put in the performance I know we can then I'm confident we'll get a positive result."

Yates is familar with Jamie Pitman, the Hereford United care-taker manager.

"Physios becoming managers seems to be the vogue at the moment. I tried to sign Jamie when I was at Kidderminster and he really does know his football. He has Hereford at heart and I think that will benefit them in the long term.

"Local derbies are always tense affairs and quite rightly so. We're stuck in the wilderness here a little so Hereford are one of our closest rivals. Hopefully we can keep doing what we're doing and go for the three points."

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