The Bulls entertain Bristol Rovers in an unlikely relegation encounter at Edgar Street on Tuesday night.
The two sides have been paired together in the same division three times in the last six seasons, with the Bulls yet to win any of the matches over 90 minutes. They have claimed three goalless draws, with one of them turning into a win on penalties in the JPT, and have lost the other four matches since returning to the League. Earlier in the season, the Bulls battled to a goalless draw at the Memorial Ground for an unlikely point.
The Bulls will be looking for a late birthday present for boss Jamie Pitman. The 'Albino Mourinho' turned 36 on Friday, and will be looking for another three points to continue their good start to the New Year. Securing Tom Barkhuizen to an extended deal will go a long way to calming fans fears over the transfer window activity. His retention, along with Yoann Arquin's burgeoning talent, will go a long way to secure the Bulls another season in League Two while Nathan Elder will look to secure a longer deal and push Arquin and Delroy Facey as he rebuilds his career.
While Bulls fans aren't entirely happy with their position in the table, the Pirates faithful are downright livid. Pre-season automatic promotion candidates, they had a slow start before finding their gear. Shame it was reverse. Paul Buckle's departure was long overdue for many, with the nineteen new faces he introduced over the summer failing to gel for a variety of reasons. Whether or not a new man is introduced at the helm ahead of the game, coach Shaun North is expected to be the man in charge on Tuesday night with a new face unlikely to want to step into action at such a late stage of preparations. North's task is likely to made no easier with the likely exclusion of winger Mustafa Carayol, who pulled his groin at the weekend during their defeat to Aston Villa.
Hereford United vs Bristol Rovers, Edgar Street, Tuesday 10th January, 7.45pm.