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Considered Opinion from Aldershot
This article is from the Official Aldershot Town Website.
After last season's perceived failure, Hereford have embarked upon something of a re-building programme with a younger squad, but still find themselves under the same pressures and amongst the favourites for promotion.
Most notable of all the departures have been 3 of the biggest factors in their success: goalkeeper Matt Baker to Wrexham, top scorer Steve Guinan to Cheltenham and defender Michael Rose to Yeovil.
However, Graham Turner has brought in Jonathan Gould on loan from Preston to ably replace Baker, and his performances have been vital, especially against Northwich and in Saturday's hard-fought win against Scarborough, as Hereford have struggled to find their best form. Similar to last year, their home form hasn't been the best, and indeed their two defeats so far this season have been at Edgar Street.
Manager Graham Turner has been worried about several individual errors that have cost the team, and while they continue to look impressive going forward, questions have been asked of the defence. Hereford have dominated most of their matches so far this season, but have at times failed to capitalise on their territorial advantages. They couldn't deal with Stevenage's physical long-ball game, and would have been punished had Scarborough taken their chances.
Most visitors have tried to stifle The Bulls natural attacking instincts, but in their shock 3-1 victory, Halifax played three strikers and so surprised were Hereford that they didn't change formation until the game was lost.
Adam Stansfield, signed from Yeovil, is being hailed as Steve Guinan's most likely successor, and has already forged an impressive partnership with the ever-dangerous David Brown. Ryan Green and Simon Travis continue to provide excellent service from the wings, and are already a plentiful source of goals. Lee Mills and Craig Stanley, signed after Telford's sad demise, have also forced their way into the reckoning with some impressive performances.
Green, however, is struggling with an abdominal injury that could require a hernia operation, and along with Tamika Mkandawire (arrived from West Bromwich Albion) and Rob Purdie, missed last Saturday's win.
Hereford at Edgar Street will never be an easy challenge, but maybe this is the best time to face that challenge, as the team continues to find its feet and fall victim to unforced errors. Ultimately, though, Aldershot would probably be satisfied with a point.