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.
