Hereford United Season Review
Lack of goals was the key concern in Hereford United’s first season back in the football league says InSITE reporter Paul Rogers.
This season promised so much. The drama of the play-off’s last season, which culminated in the club gaining promotion, meant that fans and players alike were looking forward to this season. Granted, everyone knew that there was a lot of hard work ahead and it would be a significant step up from the Conference but early results indicated that Hereford’s fortunes would be looking up rather than down in the table.
This included impressive wins against Stockport, Hartlepool MK dons and Swindon, but good wins and performances were scarce thereafter. Hereford impressed in the cups, with memorable wins against Coventry in the Carling Cup and Port Vale in the FA Cup, but apart from Lincoln away and Notts County at home, you can count on one hand the amount of decent league performances. I know football is a results business but it’s also an entertainment business and fans need to be entertained. Give me a 4-3 any day. Statistics show that entertaining football puts bums on seats, which probably proves why Hereford only attracted an average attendance of 3, 300 this season. This may have been up on previous league campaigns, but manager Graham Turner was hoping it would be nearer 4,000; especially considering it was the club’s first season back in the football league after ten years.
The lack of goals proved the main problem. Hereford failed to score in nine out of their last ten games and no player managed to get into double scoring figures in the league. On the whole, the defence was solid, especially at the start of the season, which ultimately meant that the team were never in any real danger of getting relegated. However, this coupled with the lack of goals meant that the fans only saw 98 goals all season. This was the second worst in the league, behind Chester. It goes to show that in the league you can’t get away with as many mistakes as you would in the conference and the team definitely needs a 20 goals a season striker. Obtaining Steve Guinan permanently will be crucial if the team is going to have a better campaign next season. I think that at least two more strikers are needed, with more creativity in midfield and a good winger. Strength and depth in defence is also needed, especially if Tamika Mkandawire moves on. A lot of hard work needs to be done over the coming months. If not, then Hereford could be staring relegation in the face next season.
If you want to find out more check out:
Official Hereford United website
