Monday, July 01, 2024

Caddis reveals unsurprising aim for summer transfer market

Nathan Cameron's departure has left Paul Caddis looking for a new central defender - and captain

Hereford manager Paul Caddis still wants to add four or five players to his squad as he aims to have around 19 by the start of the season.

With 15 already on the books, including his assistant Adam Rooney, a quick glance at the squad list shows the Bulls are a bit light at the back.

And while he joked about a 1-2-7 formation, Caddis knows he needs to bring in central defenders. While Kyle Howkins has committed, Paul Downing opted for a move to National League North rivals Kidderminster Harriers and the club have moved on from Nathan Cameron who is considering options elsewhere.

On the departure of 32-year-old Cameron, who made more than 100 appearances for Bury and joined Hereford after a spell at AFC Telford United, Caddis praised his ability as captain and told fans he hasn't yet decided who will have the armband for the new campaign.

"I want to attack, we're mindful we conceded too many last year but we didn't score enough either," Caddis said, with the Bulls finishing 11th in the league with a goal difference of minus four after scoring 62 and letting 66 in.

"If you look at some of the games we should've put to bed, so therefore when you put games to bed naturally you don't concede because the game's out of sight."

With Caddis now looking for defenders, he said he still wants to get the ball forward and play in the other half. He doesn't want "3,000 passes" in his half as it "doesn't get you anywhere".

He said analysis showed the side only conceded seven goals last season when their opponents played football and the shape was to blame - where about 35 came from throw-ins, corners, free-kicks etc.

He said he would rather have conceded - well, apart from not conceding at all - through lack of shape because "it comes to a mentality thing when it's in the box, you can't coach mentality you've just got to have it".

When Curtis Pond dropped back down the pyramid to rejoin Chasetown, that's why they looked for a keeper who would command the box - which he said Aaron Chapman will

While Hereford will still try and play exciting football which gets fans out of their seats, he said his mentality could be partly to blame. He said, especially at home when you're drawing 1-1 with 10 minutes to go, he wants to get supporters positive by bringing another striker on.

But that, Caddis admitted, leaves you "a bit open at the back" so perhaps that's something he needs to learn - saying he's still learning every day having only been in management for a little over a year.

On looking back to being offered the job, the former Swindon defender said he thought the club were taking a risk by appointing a rookie manager.