So, the must-win against
Altrincham wasn’t won, and Ashton got a good result in midweek leaving Hereford
sitting precariously in 19th position in National League North,
which brings us to tomorrow’s match at Edgar Street, kick off 3pm, against the acceptable face of Mancunian
football, FC United of Manchester, the latest in a run of must-wins for the
Bulls.
After a battling performance on
Saturday to go in at half-time level at 0-0 against a strong Alty, the skill
and endeavour to find that opening goal early in the second half gave the crowd
reason to get right behind the team, which they did, and the team responded.
That crowd is not used to then seeing a Hereford team sit back, dampening all
momentum and impetus, to settle for a 1-0 win in a division the club shouldn’t
be fearful of. The players wanted to push on, the crowd were urging the players
to push on, and yet, shortly after the goal, Tom O’Sullivan (I think) was told
off by the ref for taking too long to amble across the pitch to take a corner
and in so doing waste a few seconds. For me, he should have been sprinting across
to take it to keep the opposition under pressure in front of an expectant
Meadow End buoyed by the goal. The negativity was palpable, the lack of
ambition teeth-grindingly frustrating. It was an approach to taking the lead at
home that left me utterly baffled, and one that is alien to supporters.
There was a moment there when I
think we could have pressed, showed some positivity and won it with a second
goal. Instead, we sat back and ultimately drew (blew) it. I don’t blame the
players for that, I think they put a total shift in. If the management team
want to try and grind out 1-0 wins in that way so be it, but they won’t be
seeing 2000+ crowds for too much longer in trying, and inevitably frequently
failing, to do so.
Marc, Tim or whoever’s running
the show, if we’re winning in future please set us up to press home the
advantage, rather than attempting to be ‘tough to beat’. It’s horrid to watch and doesn’t work
frequently enough to justify the horridness. Just ask your performance analyst.
Anyway, on to tomorrow’s game
with a positive outlook, rather than dwelling on stuff that’s been and gone.
The Whites are undoubtedly
improving, albeit incrementally, and presumably will do so again tomorrow as
they grow as a squad. Defensively against Altrincham there were signs that some
solidity and shape were forming, with rumours of further bolstering in that
department shortly. In midfield there’s certainly talent among the newcomers,
and with Billy Murphy, on the basis of his performance last week, some guile,
but maybe a bit of bite would be welcome. Admittedly Mike McGrath can offer that,
but often in a highly illegal way, which is less useful than doing without the bite
in the first place really.
Up front James Roberts looks to
be a breath of fresh air, and offers some strong evidence that Marc Richards
and Tim Harris can spot a player.
Having finished four points
clear of relegation last season, FCUM are, after a slow start and a change of manager, now unbeaten in four, winning two and drawing two. As a result they’re on the
same number of points as Hereford, having played a game more. This is therefore
not only a must-win but a six pointer too, with another to come on Tuesday
night against Southport.
Back-to-back wins would make things
look a good deal brighter, and suggest that Richards is as good an appointment
as he hints at being when impressively setting out his ambitions publicly.
Everyone’s behind you Marc, and sorry for the grumpiness, but that's how it looked to me last week.
Could this finally be the one?
COYW