Just like the old days. A chilly November afternoon trip to the country and the wilds of deepest, darkest Herefordshire. Ronnie Radford, Dixie McNeill, Hereford bulls paraded before the game, muddy pitches, jumpers for goalposts . . . . . . . . pity Alan Buckley’s not still with us, making their defenders look silly!

Back into Richard Money’s fold comes Chris Westwood, presumably in place of Craig Pead, whose appeal was unsurprisingly turned down this morning and will, accordingly, be missing three games.

Resources at the back will be the biggest problem, as Anthony Gerrard is still unavailable and Allan Picken not quite ready yet, so there won’t be much cover for the back line, which picks itself.

The rest of the squad is reporting a clean bill of health, so the major interest is likely to be what part Darren Wrack is likely to play in the proceedings. I have a funny feeling that we might see a 4 4 1 1 of:

Ince, Westwood, Roper, Dann, Taylor, Wright, Dobson, Keates, Fox, Wrack, Butler, with Sam, Bossu, Kinsella, Demontagnac and Bradley or Bedeau (who can play full back at a pinch) as the likely subs.

Graham Turner sees his Hereford squad in a healthy state. He’ll have Martyn Giles and Trent McClenahan available for selection, as well as the returning Simon Travis. Top scorer Stuart Fleetwood is facing a race against time to return to full fitness following a virus, but majority of his squad is available for selection.

Amongst that squad will be the dangerous on loan midfielder John Eustace (ex Coventry, Middlesbrough and Stoke City) and the much travelled Neil McKenzie. Eustace’s move to Edgar Street was something of a surprise, as I would have thought he’d have attracted clubs from a higher Division. He is certainly well capable of running the show at this level.

Predictions?

Hereford go into the game lying two places outside the playoffs in 9th, twelve points behind the Saddlers.

Their home record is very creditable, however, being the fourth best in the Division:

Played 8 Won 5 Drawn 1 Lost 2.

They don’t concede many at home (6 in 8), but they don’t score many either (11 in 8).

The central midfield is the worry for me, as the Dobson/Keates partnership has not been working very well of late, which is why I think we may well see Wrack partnering Butler tomorrow, in more of a 4 5 1 than a 4 4 2. If that’s the case, this will be a tight game and I’d take a point now. Score draw.