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Next Game: Rushall At Home In The League On Saturday 30th November At 3.00pm

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Win Was Really Rewarding Said Slade


Hereford FC manager Russell Slade was delighted with last night's 2-1 victory over Gateshead at Edgar Street.

"I was very pleased," Slade told the local media.

"I was proud of them because we were playing against a team that are full time. So in terms of fitness levels that's always a concern and we had used our three substitions as well.

"And to be 1-0 down and to come back and win 2-1 is really pleasing.

"I'm pleased for everybody, pleased for the lads because they put in a real shift, pleased for the fans because it's nice to see your team come from behind and snatch a winner in the last minute.

"It was value for the effort that we put in.

"Look were we better than Saturday (at Guiseley)? Yes we were much better.

"Are there still things we need to work on? There are loads of things we've got to do but the attitude to keep going and to keep pressing, keep asking questions of their back four when we possibly could and they are a good side, they are very efficient at what they do, they do the fundamentals very well. They are a decent side to play against.

"So to turn it over from 1-0 down to 2-1 was really rewarding."

Jordan Nicholson was chosen as man of the match.

"Good decision to put him in (the team).

"Really pleased for him, he's a nice lad, he's a good lad.

"He gives you that little bit of width and that left foot as well which gives a little bit of balance because we didn't have too many left footers in but now we have Jack (Bodenham) in.

"Nicholson has come upto the plate and started to deliver in training and obviously he got sometime on Saturday and did well in that twenty minutes spell that he had and he's gone and built on that today."

Slade put Jack Bodenham at left back which allowed captain Jared Hodgkiss to revert to right back. Keiran Thomas started in midfield.

"I was pleased with that and when you play in that way, because I tweaked it slightly with an extra midfielder because they are very strong in that middle of the park so that's why I did that.

"And you need to be able to switch the play with a few diagonals and Jack can do that and Jared can do that so  it was a better balance to the team at the back because of that."

Hodgkiss was subbed because of an injury.

"It looks like a groin, I don't know at this stage how bad it is but it will be disappointing if we lose him because he is a real solid character in the changing room and a very solid  player out on the pitch."

It's Truro in the Cup on Saturday.

"It's each team on its merit that we play. We have a fundamental structure that we like to play to and if I can have two strikers on the pitch, a 9 and a 10, then we'll do that.

"But sometimes it suits to play with that extra midfielder and play with a little bit more freedom in wide areas so we can create overloads. And we did that quite well particularily with Nicholson who had a couple of very good opportunities in the first half so certainly deserved his goal tonight."

The reaction at the end of the game?

"Winning a football match has always meant an awful lot to me wherever I've been. The game is a passion for me and the journey I've started at this football club needs to be with the players, needs to be with the fans, needs to be with the staff, needs to be with everybody because if everybody pulls in one direction, if we can get everybody having a go - I know there will be ups and downs, there'll be twists and turns, I get all that - but we need to all pull together.

"If we can all pull together in the same direction I know for a fact that we will improve."

Two home games next including Truro in the Cup.

"I like the Cup, I'd like a little run in the Cup so if they think they are switching off on Saturday they are mistaken."