Sunday, September 07, 2003

Turner pleased with result

Commenting after yesterday's game at Farnborough, Hereford manager Graham Turner told the press that to come away from home and score five is an achievement.

"We did well in the first half hour and did the damage then, but we are not getting carried away. Maybe the scoreline flattered us a little but we played well, created chances and we have to take it from here.

"The big fear is if that little bit of complacency starts to creep in and so far I've seen no signs of that. I think the players have adapted and applied themselves well and that was in evidence in the way we worked today."

More praise for Turner has come from Yeovil boss, Gary Johnson, in the Non-League Paper. Commenting on the Bulls, he said that Graham Turner has been at Edgar Street a long time and has worked on a shoestring budget, but still looks to have a dozen quality players on his books.

"His big problem could be if suspensions or injuries start eating into his squad. There is no doubt Hereford are a decent side and scoring plenty of goals with Stephen Guinan and Ben Smith leading the way, but I also like Paul Parry and Michael Rose.

"Guinan is a good target man, but Smith likes to bomb into the box and five goals from each (now six) in their first six matches (now seven) is all you can ask. Smith was at Yeovil for a few years before I arrived and has recovered well from a dislocated shoulder.

"Graham, as chairman, has invested his own money in the club so he has had to watch the pennies and has done well, but may need luck with injuries to stay on top."

There is already champagne on ice in Wakefield, where Hereford's most famous player, Ronnie Radford, is backing the Bulls for promotion. "What a start," he told Colin Mafham. "My pals tell me they are playing some great stuff and I'm so pleased for the club - and Graham Turner."

On Turner, Radford added: "He is such a lovely man. He has put so much time and energy in just keeping the club going. He must have had some really rough times and wondered if it really was worth it. When you have sole responsibility like he has you feel it ten-fold."

"There's a long way to go and they will need a bit of luck, but we're all keeping our fingers crossed."