Railwaymen Take On Bulls

A win at Hereford tomorrow will propel us into the top half of the table which is where we want to stay according to Steve Holland.

A win is probably the least most are expecting tomorrow. The Bulls have started the season in a pretty disastrous way with three league defeats in their first three league games. After 2-1 defeats at the hands of Orient and Yeovil, the worst game just last Saturday as Bristol Rovers hit them for six. A 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to Crystal Palace also saw them exit the cup early.

After two promotions in three seasons, after seven years battling in the Conference, there really wasn't too much expectation on them coming into their first League One season in some 30 years. Perhaps their reliance on loan players could be their weakness; last season they signed nine players on loan deals and currently have three in their squad this year. Darren Randolph (Charlton), Robbie Threlfall (Liverpool) and Moses Ashikodi (Watford) could all play a part in tomorrow's match.

Steve Holland is correct though, they aren't to be taken lightly on the grounds of a poor start to the season. We've got to take this game how we take Leeds away next week if we are to progress. Complacency doesn't win promotion.

Steve Holland told CreweAlex.net:

'Hereford did very well in getting promoted last season because there were some very good sides in League Two last season with the likes of Peterborough, MK Dons and Stockport.

'The season is only three games in so there is a long way to go and we know there is a long way to go. We aren't getting too carried away because we have had a couple of results and I'm sure Hereford aren't panicking after the start they have had.'

Hereford could give a debut to Stephen O'Leary. The midfielder arrived from Luton Town on Wednesday on a one year deal.

Graham Turner's only injury concern is Karl Broadhurst who has recently returned from a dislocated shoulder but is not yet match fit.

Diagouraga arrived at Hereford last summer on loan from Watford. He helped the Bulls up to League One before signing permanently in July.

The midfielder is now a key part of the Hereford team and is sure to be the thorn in the side tomorrow. He's also going to be making the Radio Stoke commentators work this weekend.

Calvin Zola and Eugen Bopp are both fit and available for selection after being ruled out since the first game of the season. However, it provides a slight problem for Steve Holland who has a whole host of quality strikers to choose from. Clayton Donaldson, Calvin Zola and Anthony Elding will all feel they're good enough to warrant selection, whilst Tom Pope's recent performances up front will be impossible to overlook. For now it looks like Elding and Pope will get the nod whilst Zola and Donaldson fight it out for a spot on the bench.

Billy Jones returned to training only today but with a lack of left back cover Steve Holland will be giving the former Exeter man all the time he can to make himself available.

Otherwise it's only McCready and Abbey who will sit out.

Elding now has three goals in four games for the Alex and looks every bit the perfect replacement for Nicky Maynard. Already a firm fans favourite, another goal or three would really cement his place at the centre of fans' hearts.

Hereford:

Samson, Rose, Oji, Beckwith, Threlfall, Easton, Smith, Diagouraga, Johnson, Guinan, Ashikodi

Crewe:

Collis, Jones, Baudet, O'Donnell, Woodards, Grant, Bailey, O'Connor, Moore, Elding, Pope

Hereford 0-3 Crewe

Macclesfield on Tuesday night at Gresty Road. 7pm (SEVEN-PM) kick off.

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