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Versatile Purdie just happy to be playing
One player who has really enjoyed the pre-season campaign is Rob Purdie, the Hereford United midfielder.
Despite playing in the centre of the park for most of last season, Purdie has impressed in his matches where he has positioned in attack, particularly when Steve Guinan and David Brown have been unavailable.
"I've been doing alright this pre-season," said the ex-Leicester City youngster. "I've been playing up-front, which is not unfamiliar to me as I played there with Leicester when I was younger, but I'm hoping to try and hold down a position more than I was last season. I think with the way the team's been playing, we've got a good chance this season to get into the promotion places."
"I feel most comfortable in centre midfield but if I play on either of the wings or up-front, I'm not bothered. I'm happy to play anywhere as long as I paly more games than I did last season."
Purdie notched just one goal for the Bulls in the Conference last term, in the 2-2 draw at Northwich Victoria, but already this pre-season, he has scored three. "It's a good boost to the confidence. I thought I should have had a few more but three in four games, I'm happy with that. Let's hope I can get a few more against Birmingham and Kidderminster."
The Bulls open the Conference campaign on August 9th, when they go to Tamworth, a game which Purdie reckons will be a tough one.
He told HU-FC.co.uk: "They're going to be up for it having just been promoted to the Conference. The main thing we've got to do is match them for enthusiasm. With the way we've been playing pre-season, I can't see why we can't walk away with three points."
Playing in the most competitive position for United, central midfielder Purdie knows he will be kept on his toes. "If you're playing centre midfield and all of a sudden, a triallist comes in, you have to up your workrate by 10% and that can only be good for the club and our promotion chances."
One player who has had a good pre-season is Rob Sawyers, despite failing to regularly play last term. He is highly rated by Purdie, who said: "In training all last season, he was a good player and has great feet. This pre-season, he's played well at left-back and centre midfield so that's another position that he'll be challenging for."
Meanwhile, the Hereford United youth team start their season on August 20th, as they play their first match in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Premier Division.
The Bulls start at home against Sutton Coldfield Town, before playing Nuneaton Borough a week later and then travelling to Bedworth United.