Thoughts on match at Hereford

[TDA]

Few reflections on Saturdays match:

First half we were mostly chasing shadows and it looked like a top v bottom kind of clash.  Second half we had a great spell and also got some luck.  Paul Jones was magnificent and basically kept us in it. 
I think we are better 4-4-2 than 3-5-2.  I guess the reason why we maybe set up to play 3-5-2 is that we don't have centre backs that are quick.  Coulson looks exposed in a 4 even though he is a tremendous player and a warrior.  Gabby looked better further forward and is not a wing back in my opinion.  When we went 4-4-2 we looked a lot better in midfield and really caused them some problems.  Hargreaves was good wide right also.
New signing Magretts showed good directness and the rare times he got the ball he tended to use it well.  I think he will be a good player for us. 
Best player for them was the winger no 17 who was almost impossible to play against.  Apparently he is on load from Banbury which is madness, surely they need him?!
I enjoyed the game from the Hereford directors area as guest of a mate whose firm are a sponsor there.  I celebrated loud and proud the penalty save as well as our two goals and enjoyed annoying the locals.  However I must say that Hereford are a top club with really decent people and I was interested to hear of their 50% fab ownership model.

[TonyM]

Few reflections on Saturdays match:

First half we were mostly chasing shadows and it looked like a top v bottom kind of clash.  Second half we had a great spell and also got some luck.  Paul Jones was magnificent and basically kept us in it. 
I think we are better 4-4-2 than 3-5-2.  I guess the reason why we maybe set up to play 3-5-2 is that we don't have centre backs that are quick.  Coulson looks exposed in a 4 even though he is a tremendous player and a warrior.  Gabby looked better further forward and is not a wing back in my opinion.  When we went 4-4-2 we looked a lot better in midfield and really caused them some problems.  Hargreaves was good wide right also.
New signing Magretts showed good directness and the rare times he got the ball he tended to use it well.  I think he will be a good player for us. 
Best player for them was the winger no 17 who was almost impossible to play against.  Apparently he is on load from Banbury which is madness, surely they need him?!
I enjoyed the game from the Hereford directors area as guest of a mate whose firm are a sponsor there.  I celebrated loud and proud the penalty save as well as our two goals and enjoyed annoying the locals.  However I must say that Hereford are a top club with really decent people and I was interested to hear of their 50% fab ownership model.

TDA, firstly thank you for such a comprehensive report, really helpful for those of us that only go to the odd away game in a season.  I think AL is in your camp, preferring 442 than 352 but given the players he inherited (particularly the centre halves that remain from the MH's initial squad) it is going to be a risk, although whether we ever had the wing backs to make that system work is now a mute point.    Maybe as the squad evolves we will see that 442 more often although I would prefer to see the line up from Buxton (with Magretts for Stephens) tomorrow night.

Also, are you able to give a bit more detail on what their fan ownership means at a practical level?  Thanks.

[TDA]

Apparently they have 5 main benefactors who each put in a certain amount and own 50% between them.  There are something like 300 on the fan owned side (I think) with a smaller set of elected representative directors, one of which I met - lovely lady called Joan who does a variety of roles for the club as part of her directorship.  It seemed a fairly happy camp.  Interestingly their team train at Solihull Moors in Birmingham and are mostly Midlands based.  I guess they are lucky to have a large fan base (2400 there on Sat), but there was a pretty vibrant bar after the game and the atmosphere seemed positive.     

[Mallard]

Are they full time TDA ?

Just watched the highlights.  We sure got away with one there.  That could have been embarrassing

[TDA]

I think they are part time.