I Thought Cardiff Were Excellent Said Gowling

Miles Storey

In his post match interview Josh Gowling said he thought Cardiff were the best team Hereford had faced pre-season.

"I thought they were excellent," said the Hereford manager.

"They were by far the best team we have played pre-season.

"I spoke to their gaffer afterwards, I think their back four three were first team players. It showed, they were strong and physical.

“I think probably the first 10 or 15 minutes we didn't get to grips with wanting to protect the middle of the pitch and getting our shape quite right. Then after that I thought we did.

“The reality is they are a Championship side so you’re not going to have the ball too much but it was pleasing to see the way we screened and the work-rate we did.

“Yes they scored two but I think we limited them to chances which was pleasing. We did have spells in possession when we caused them problems as well.

“We made a couple of changes to have a look at some of the other lads with the first team.

“It was pleasing to see that we are picking things up and working. When you play Championship sides when the ball turns over they will get after it quickly to get the ball back.

“And I just thought in spells, especially first half, we didn’t cope with that very well. We turned balls back over which meant we then had to chasing for five minutes without the ball. 

"We've got to be a bit more patient and a bit more calm."

Gowling felt Cardiff's first goal shouldn't have stood.

“I watched it back and he has handballed it to be fair.

“I say to our strikers to always follow things in. The lad was great and he followed it in. I thought Brad (Wade’s) position was excellent and on another day he kicks it out for a throw-in.

"I've got no qualms about that at all. It was good play from them chasing it. They broke quickly from our attack and put the ball in behind. He was in a good position." 

Gowling spoke about Miles Storey.

"Miles is Miles, he's always a threat.

"We're working on him staying a bit more central if we can, we don't really want him in wide areas crossing balls. He's supposed to be a striker so he needs to be getting on the end of crosses."

On the other side was a trialist called Laig Mcdermot.

"It's the first time he's played with that intensity against a team like that.

"He did well in spells. He got a shot off in the first half, There's a lot more to come from him."