The Bulls entertain Oxford United in the League for the first time in 23 years on Saturday.
It will be only the second time in the Football League that the Bulls have been in the same division as Oxford, with the two sides missing each other four years ago when the U's were relegated from the FL at the same time as the Bulls returned. The 1977/8 season saw the home side win each time, with the Bulls winning 2-1 at Edgar Street and the U's winning 3-0 at the old Manor Ground.
The Bulls were locked away for 45 minutes at Burton as Simon Davey told his players what he thought. He later told the press that no-one had done their job, including himself. There was always an expectation that the start to the season would be tough, but the capitulation in front of goal is hard to bear. Abandoning the 4-3-3 formation for 3-5-2 didn't work at Burton, and many fans are crying out for a straightforward 4-4-2 with two proper wingers.
Oxford's return to the Football League has been much more low key than many were expecting. With a largely settled side, with a lot of the summer tinkering done to secure the previous season's loan players, they were expected to be early challengers but have had to settle for mid-table indifference. Away from home they have managed two goalless draws and suffered similar inability in front of goal as the Bulls before upping their goal tally from one to five with a 4-0 demolition of a sorry-looking Morecambe side last weekend.
Hereford United vs Oxford United, Edgar Street, Saturday 11th September, 3.00pm.