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Next Game: Pre-Season

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Gowling After Westfields Friendly


Hereford manager Josh Gowling gave his reaction to the local media after last night's friendly at Westfields which the Bulls won 3-1.

"It was more signed lads in the first half," said Gowling.

"I think one of the things we didn't have last season was the team playing together on a regular basis pre-season so it was nice we could get the signed lads out in the first half and you could see our play especially in wide areas and what the new lads are bringing to the team so it was really pleasing.

"Second half we kind of tinkered with a new formation and there were some really good performances but it was more of a trialist team.

"We've worked a lot this last couple of weeks on pressing, we haven't done too much on in possession stuff so that was a bit off the cuff. But we will work on that as the weeks go.

"It was the first proper test for us, they gave us a good test.

"We try to recruit players that know each other so the transition is less.

"We are changing a lot of the things we do this year because we have a lot of video analysis so they can see what we do in possession and out of possession.

"And because we've kept a core of the lads it's been easier for us to transition so the lads know where to be.

"The pleasing thing for me today was the communication and talking. You can hear the lads organising and talking and pushing each other on.

"We want people who know the game well, read the game well, pick up balls in good areas especially in the middle of the park which Vincent did really well today.

"You could see our work rate, I think that was pretty good to see. But I think in wide areas we're not upto speed yet. Obviously it's early in pre-season but you can see when they pick the ball up deep they've got lots of pace.

"We put a lot of balls in the box today, Joey has got a goal, Ben's got a goal from a corner from a good delivery from McLean. We've got a lot of quality in the squad."

Gowling admitted he was still looking for a center-half.

"We know that, we've lost two center-halves so they have got to be replaced. It's important we get the right one in.

"We've looked at a few but they've not been right for us.

"What we do want this season is a center-half that talks, organises and marshalls the back really well.

"We've lost Grimes so we really need to replace him so that's one of the key areas for us. I think last year we built from the back up, this year we've probably gone the other way. But we will get someone in.

Lots of teams want experience so they are like gold at the moment so we've just got to wait and be patient and hopefully when one comes up we'll snap him up."

Three players were missing last night, Owen-Evans, Forsyth and Klukowski.

"They've all signed contracts. Yan has got some personal issues, Toe and Fosy have not been well, they have not trained with us a lot lately so we don't want to throw them in to a game when they've not been training.

"We'll get them back, get them training again and once they are fully fit we'll include them in games."