With Graham Turner even suggesting that the Bulls can win League Two, there is little doubt Hereford United have every chance of finishing in a higher position than last season.
And with today's news that the Watford Two are joining until the New Year, Turner has put together a stronger squad when compared with the one that graced Edgar Street twelve months ago.
Whilst many players from last season have moved on, few will be missed with perhaps the exception of Tamika Mkandawire and Andy Williams who have moved to Leyton Orient and Bristol Rovers. Judging on where the rest of them have landed up tells it's own story. Probably much like David Brown before them, Alan Connell will score for Brentford when they play the Bulls and Rob Purdie will hammer home a penalty for Darlington, but Brown didn't command an automatic starting place at Accrington and it's by no means certain that either Connell or Purdie will be be obvious choices for their respective new teams. As for the remainder, they've all signed for clubs in lower divisions.
The players Turner has brought in are a mix of experience and youth. Whilst Trevor Benjamin may hit the headlines every time he touches the ball, Lionel Ainsworth could be one of the stars of the season with his undoubted speed and ability up the right wing.
New captain Karl Broadhurst appears to be an excellent acquisation. Already his partnership with Dean Beckwith at the heart of defence looks sound, and with Wayne Brown in goal the trio should ensure the Bulls don't allow too many goals to be scored by any opposition.
The heart of mid-field may cause Turner a problem. With at least three players, Ben Smith, Kris Taylor and Toumani Diagouraga, fighting for two positions it be be interesting to see who gets the nod.
The same may occur up-front. Assuming Guinan plays, Turner may decide to keep Trevor Benjamin on the bench and bring him on when required much like Guy Ipoua in the last Conference season. Even if he takes that option he will still need to decide whether to use Theo Robinson or Simon Johnson with Guinan. He certainly has better options in front of goal than last season which supporters will remember was the lowest for goals scored by the Bulls for many years.
As Graham Turner starts his 13th season in charge at Edgar Street he seems confident of a successful campaign.
"I am quite happy with what we have managed to bring in to the playing squad," he told the Hereford Times.
"We have youth and experience, some physical presence and some pace, a very good attitude to hard work and a very good spirit seems to be developing in the dressing room.
"At this stage, I, like most managers, am feeling very optimistic about the coming season. We will all have done our hard work through pre-season, we will have all signed new players, we will all be expecting to get promoted."
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