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The big test

Simon Smedley
27/ 2/2008

JIM Gannon is relishing the challenge that awaits his in-form County side on Saturday as they travel to second-placed Hereford United.

The County boss stopped short of stating that the trip to Edgar Street was his team’s biggest test of the season so far, but confidence is clearly high as the Hatters bid to secure a club record-equalling seventh straight away victory.

Gannon said: "After four straight defeats, going to MK Dons earlier in the season was a huge test for us and we got a magnificent result there.

"Going to Rotherham the other week was also a huge test, and we weren’t found wanting in that match either.

"But Saturday is clearly another big test. Hereford are in great form and are on the back of five straight wins.

"They’ve got themselves into a position where, if they win their game in hand, they go top. Over the course of the season they are the best team, but our away form matches theirs at the moment, so it is going to be a cracking game.

"Last Saturday galvanised positions at the top and the bottom, all the top seven sides won, so that does mean that we’re going to have to take our form from the last two months into the next two months if we are going to break into that top three or four.

"Hereford, MK Dons and Darlington are setting the standards at this level, so we have to beat those teams now.

"We’ve got them all to play, so that’s the challenge for us.

"But the most important thing right now is that we go and get a result at Hereford this weekend.

"A result will certainly help consolidate our play-off position.

"The lads are really enjoying their football at the moment, they’ve worked hard in training and in matches.

"They’re playing with a confidence and belief that you just can’t give them as a manager. It just comes from the way they’re playing and winning games."

There’s mixed news on the injury front ahead of the weekend.

David Poole [knee] has returned to training this week and could be involved on Saturday, but Michael Raynes [hamstring] will only resume training later this week so won’t be fit in time for the Hereford game.

Jim McNulty [ankle] is still four-six weeks away from a first-team return, while Matty McNeil [hernia and knee] should be available again in the next couple of weeks.