Pitman’s persistence paying off

After the sacking of Simon Davey, Hereford were linked with a variety of different names who would be given the unenviable task of dragging the Bulls from the foot of the football league. But after three games unbeaten in his role as caretaker manager, Jamie Pitman was handed the reigns for three months, and now the only way seems up for the charging Bulls.

Questions were asked about Pitman’s pedigree as a manager. Is he experienced enough? Does he have the contacts to be able to do the wheeling and dealing Graham Turner did so well? Can he successfully make the transition from friend and physio to just being a manager?

Well, so far, so good. Pitman is using all his know-how from his playing days to assemble a squad which can be competitive in the football league. Players have been brought in on short-term loan deals which have so far only served well. Tony James tightened up the back four, Rob Purdie has provided a real goal threat from midfield and now Bryon Webster and Nicky Featherstone have also joined the ranks for the same reasons.

No one ever expected miracles to happen over night, but Hereford are clearly a better side under Pitman and his methods are starting to reap the rewards.

The beauty of Pitman’s signings now is that Hereford can compensate for the loss of such players as Jonas Kovacs and James McQuilkin which before, they would have struggled to deal with.

There can be no questioning the boss’ man-management skills, either. He has recently publicly challenged Mathieu Manset to realise his potential to be the player he can be, stating he could even play at Championship level given some consistency in his game. Who would bet against the Frenchman netting against Lincoln this Saturday?

When you look at the league, you wouldn’t think Pitman has done a great deal, as his side are still second bottom. But Hereford are unbeaten under the new regime and look like a side who can beat just about any team in the division on their day. Three points on Saturday could lift the Bulls to 15th, if other results go kindly.

The frustration remains at home. Hereford are still without a win in the league all season at Edgar Street, and after the Bulls battered Hythe at home in the FA Cup, part of me expected them to go on and beat Cheltenham.

In the end, a draw was a fair result. Taking a ‘glass half full’ approach, it was also a game we would have lost pre-Pitman, so I was happy with a point. Even under Turner, Hereford were always a better side away from home; hopefully that’s a good omen for the weekend.

Pitman now deserves to be given a longer contract and a chance to really stamp his mark on the team. Under his guidance, fans could be dreaming of a trip to Wembley at the end of the season, and not dreading the drop.

 

WE ARE GOING UP, SING WE ARE GOING UP!

A perfect finish to what has been a perfect season.

Hereford’s away form again came through to win promotion to League 1 with a well earned 3-0 win away at Brentford.

It was Gary Hooper’s last game for the Bulls and as a final swansong, he managed to get his name on the score sheet again to help push the Bulls over the line.

We must of course congratulate Barnet for beating Stockport, but all the same, it was definatly Turner’s men who deserved promotion.

Hooper starting the romping by rounding the Bees keepe before his impressive strike partner Theo Robinson made it two 10 minutes before half time. Then Johnson finished off the scoring in the last minute after only just coming on as a sub.

So congratulations to all the Bulls, Turner, and all fans that made the trip to Griffin Park. Now lets enjoy the party next week at home to Grimsby. WE ARE GOING UP SING WE ARE GOING UP!

Brentford: Hamer, Pead (Heywood 78), Bennett, Osborne, Dickson, Wayne Brown, O’Connor, Smith (Mousinho 55), Poole, Connell, Shakes.

Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Broadhurst, Beckwith, Rose, Igoe, Smith, Diagouraga, Easton, Robinson (Johnson 89), Hooper (Guinan 79).

Att: 6,246

Brentford V Hereford United

Results permitting, by 4:45 tomorrow evening, Hereford could be promoted to league 1.

Hereford travel to Griffin Park for the first time in a league fixture knowing that a win here would be enough to seal promotion, if Stockport lose at Barnet.

On loan striker Gary Hooper who has been in startling form will play his last game for the Bulls because his loan deal will expire and he will return to Soutend.

Graham Turner looks set to keep faith in the team that won against Wrexham, meaning no room in the starting 11 for Trevor Benjamin or Steve Guinan because duo Hooper and Theo Robinson will lead the attack.

Wayne Brown has a slight injury concern sustained playing against Darlington but should be fit to play, Mark Ingham is still out though.

For the home side they will have to make do without forwards Nathan Elder and Ross Montague who remain sidelined but former Bull Alan Connell will lead the attack for Brentford, who has notched 12 goals this season.

The Bulls loyal fans will once again take an impressive 1,500 vocal fans to Griffin Park hoping that results will go our way and to give Hooper the send off he deserves.

Mad4Bulls: 1-2 Hereford. Although i hate to be pesimist, but I just can’t see Stockport losing to Barnet.

Hereford United 2-0 Wrexham

Hereford edged one step closer to automatic promotion tonight with a win against Brian Little’s Wrexham side, who now unfortunately have to deal with the harsh reality of dropping out of the football league.

Goals either side of half time from Gary Hooper and Theo Robinson mean Turner’s men have now opened the gap now between themselves and the chasing two; Rochdale and Stockport to four points.

Victory away at Brentford on Saturday and with the help of other results, the Bulls could almost secure a place in the third tier of English football next season.

the goals came after Hooper broke the deadlock just before half time. Although the visitors had been enjoying a spell of possession, a neat back heal from Robinson allowed Hooper to strike home finally handing the home side the lead.

Robinson then put the game beyond any doubt after finding himself unmarked in the six yard box. A composed finish inside the hour all but made sure of Wrexham’s relegation.

Two games left now, we are almost there. Roll on saturday and Brentford away.

Before I finish this post I must add – For the first time since Mad4Bulls was created, I got my prediction right! Just a little bit of bragging.

Att: 3739

Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, Broadhurst, Rose, Igoe, Smith, Diagouraga, Easton, Hooper, Robinson. 

Wrexham: Ward, Pejic, Steve Evans, Mike Williams, Taylor, Baynes (Garrett 70), Murtagh (Danny Williams 63), Mackin, Done, Marc Williams (Proctor 69), Roberts.
 

Hereford United V Wrexham

A vital match for both sides tonight, a win for Hereford will put them one step closer to automatic promotion, and Wrexham must win to avoid disappearing into football league wilderness.

For the Bulls, Sammy Igoe came through his first game back from injury at the weekend in Hereford’s 0-1 defeat by Peterborough and should start. Trevor Benjamin is also pushing for a start after coming off the bench against the Posh in the last 15 minutes.

Brian Little is also expected to keep faith with the side that recorded only their 9th win of the season against Notts County.

Mad4Bulls prediction: 2-0.

Hereford United 0-1 Peterborough United

Well I have to say I didn’t predict us getting beat yesterday even against The Posh, who to be fair are one the better sides in the league, but still through gritted teeth I admit it was the right result.

Hereford created very little and never really looked like scoring in a game which the visitors dominated. Darren Ferguson’s men bagged their winner inside 30 minutes when Dean Keates headed in from close range after a quality cross from Chris Whelpdale.

Clint Easton and Steve Guinan both had chances for Hereford but were comfortably saved by the Posh keeperJoe Lewis.

Turner recalled Sammy Igoe from injury on the right hand side of midfield and Trevor Benjamin continued his return to fitness by coming off the bench with 15 minutes remaining.

Peterborough secured the inevitable with their victory yesterday, both them and MK Dons (who thankfully won away at Stockport) will now go up automatically.

As for the Bulls, because the Dons won we stay a point clear of Stockport and now Rochdale who have crept in un-noticed, in third place so promotion is very much in our own hands.

Wrexham will roll into Edgar Street on Tuesday night who themselves have everything to play for after a vital three points at home to Notts County.

 The race for promotion is now a three horse race, with Hereford, Rochdale and Stockport are fighting for that elusive third spot. We could have had it in the bag by now, but a little excitement wont do any harm!

MK Dons 0-0 Hereford United

 

 

So my 2-1 prediction wasn’t exactly correct, but no one can argue that if we were offered a point at the Dons before the game we would have snatched their hand off!

Turner named exactly the same squad that beat Darlington on Saturday with Wayne Brown once again doing his super man impression.

Brown produced a string of fantastic saves from Jude Stirling and then Jemal Johnson after keeping out Alan Navarro in the early exchanges frustrating the home crowd. Hereford were forced to keep out a seige of Dons attacks throughout the game but did carve a chance as early as the fourth minute when Guinan had time to cross but Hooper couldnt convert.

Hooper had another chance from 25 yards but lobbed his effoty the wrong side of the stranded Dons keeper’s cross bar.

Paul Ince’s celebratory champagne for promotion will for the second game running remain on ice, although a win on Saturday at in form Stockport County will seal it.

As far as the Bulls goes, the draw means we go a point ahead of Stockport in third and seven behind Peterborough in second. Beating them on Saturday and then winning the game in hand will but us in a fantastic position to finish in second place.

Everybody put your MK Dons shirts on underneath your Bulls top this weekend, because any day light between us and the playoff spots (Stockport in fourth who play Dons on Saturday) is a priority rather than catching ‘Boro in second.

 So part two of the ‘week of death’ over, now to finish the job with a win this weekend, we are almost over the line! As Alex Ferguson once said, its squeaky bum time!

MK Dons V Hereford United

So its game two of the tree gamed ‘week of death’ and it is probably the hardest of the three.

After going away to Darlington and picking up a valuable and desevered three points Turners men most now tonight travel to Paul Ince’s top of the league MK Dons.

MK Dons were supposed to have secured promotion by now, possibly making it easier for the Bulls but their little slip up against Wycombe on saturday means it is all still to play for.

this game represents one of Hereford’s games in hand over second place Peterborough (who we play saturday) and fourth place Stockport, so a result is a must tonight.

As far as team news goes, Sammy Igoe remains on the sidelines, but Trevor Benjamin does finally make the squad after not being fit enough to make the team on Saturday. One slight concern for the Bulls is that in form striker gary Hooper is struggling for fitness after a robust challenge caused him to be subbed against Darlington at the weekend.

Paul Ince has no new injury worries for tonights game after full back Carl Regan has come through a fitness test on a sore muscle suffered against Wycombe.

Mad4Bulls prediction: I think we can get a win there, we are generally better away from home: 1-2 Bulls. Come On!!!

Darlington 0-1 Hereford United

The Bulls finally managed to get back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Darlington.

Although in dyer form themselves, Darlington was a tricky place to go for Turners men who were without a win in three league games.

It was on loan striker gary Hooper who again stole the show for Hereford after his second half strike saw the Bulls claim their 14th away win of the season.

Turner made two changes to the side that drew at home to Chester City. Injured Sammy Igoe was replaced by Karl Broadhurst and Simon Johnson was recalled to face his former club.

the playing surface at Darlington was heavily criticised by United who couldn’t play their usual football but they were rewarded for their efforts after 69 minutes when Johnson fed through Hooper. The on loan striker’s first attempt was saved but he cooley slotted home at the second go for his 10th for the Bulls.

Darlington featured former Bull Rob Perdie who looked dangerous bombing forward from right back but despite two half penalty appeals the home side rarely threatened Wayne Brown’s goal.

Victory meant Hereford’s ‘week of death’ as it has been so dramatically labelled, gets off to a perfect start. Turners men remain third level on points with in form Stockport in fourth after their impressive away win at Peterborough. The Bulls have two games in hand on the Boro which could see them leap frog Darren ferguson’s men into second place.

The ‘week of death’ will recommence tomorrow night against table toppers MK Dons who promotion celebrations were put on hold after they were held at home on saturday to Wycombe Wanderers.

Line Ups (on Saturday)

Darlington: Stockdale, Austin (Wiseman 79), Foster, White, Valentine, Purdie, Cummins, Kennedy, Parker (Nelthorpe 82), Wright, Ndumbu-Nsungu (Ravenhill 79).

Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, Broadhurst, Rose, Johnson, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Hooper (Robinson 77), Guinan.

Attendance: 4,331

Igoe Out For Darlo Away

On loan midfielder Sammy Igoe will miss the trip to Darlington after picking up an ankle injury in the home draw with Chester City.

Graham Turner is also likely to be without him for the game against table topping MK Dons on Tuesday night as well.

Igoe should be fit to face Peterborough United next saturday at Edgar Street but will be missed as the Bulls look to try and put thier promotion chase back on track after some disappointing results.

Igoe joined on loan from Bristol Rovers at the end of March and has bought some much needed experience to the side for the final push at the end of the season.