Hereford United chairman David Keyte has said that because of financial restraints manager Jamie Pitman will have a smaller squad to work with this season.
"With a season’s experience behind us, we feel that Jamie Pitman has improved the squad and that we have a stronger squad of players than last year – a smaller squad but a better squad," Keyte told the Hereford Times.
"But we all need to be aware that through financial constraints, every manager is having to work with smaller squads.
"Every club needs a bit of luck with injuries and, in our case, I am conscious that injury or suspension to two or three key players would be very difficult to cover.
"Because our turnover is flat, the reduction in the salary cap from 60% to 55% will mean about £80,000 difference to us, or about two players at League 2 wages. So that puts the management team under pressure.
"We have assumed, with ongoing progress, that there will be an increase again to 2,700 in the average (gate) this time.
"I am optimistic but realistic and within these constraints, a midtable finish would be a success as we build for the future."
Manager Pitman also noted the financial restraint in his HT column.
"We have a number of players who do not fit into what I am trying to do. They are taking a proportion of our budget and do not figure in my plans and so it is frustrating that we are not able to freshen things up and do what we want to do."
Meanwhile the HT has put out a headline saying that midfielder Harry Pell fainted at this morning's club photocall. However they note that he was soon back on his feet and is expected to be in the squad that will leave for Southend tomorrow afternoon.
Later he was given the all clear by the club doctor.
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