FOOTBALL | Hereford FC Manager Aaron Downes spoke to Your Herefordshire about what’s been a whirlwind week for the new man at the helm at Edgar Street.
After the departure of Paul Caddis on the 11th February and a 5-1 defeat at Southport last Saturday, the former Cheltenham Town Assistant Manager was appointed the new manager of Hereford FC on Monday.
Downes, speaking to Matt Healey, told us: “It’s been a busy and productive few days, but very enjoyable. I found out I had the job on Monday morning, and then it was a case of sorting everything out and getting things done as we had a game against a very good Darlington side the following day.
Cheltenham-based Downes had spent time watching video footage of last Saturday’s 5-1 defeat against Southport and the new 5-3-2 formation that he implemented was based on viewing the action at Haig Avenue over the weekend.
“I knew that Tuesday evening was the first time I would meet most of the players. I’ve played against some of them in the past, but a lot of them I will be meeting for the first time on Tuesday at 6pm. So I needed to devise a game plan that would suit the personnel we had and also provide support for Willo (Andy Williams) up top.
Two new loan signings in Harry Tustin and Freddy Wilcox debuted from Cheltenham Town and Downes was impressed with their application and attitude.
“The lads were brilliant and were part of a superb team performance. They are the type of players that will run through a brick wall for you. They will both go on to have great careers in the game. Other clubs were interested in bringing them in, but I would like to think my Cheltenham connections got them here, and they will both play a big part for this football club.”
The arrival of a new management team, including former Hereford United player Harry Pell as Downes’ assistant, and his contribution will be important until the end of the season.
“It was an easy decision to bring Harry in. He is such a knowledgeable person with an unbelievable attitude. Even though we are best friends, he does things differently for me and our dynamic works really well. The backroom team that I have inherited has been first class too, and I would like to mention Adam Rooney as well, whose contribution has been superb.”
Downes continued: “I’ve known “Roons” for a long time, and he’s probably not ready for 90 minutes just yet, but his impact from the substitutes’ bench was so influential on Tuesday, and he is able to encourage the team on the pitch as well for me”
With twenty games still left to play in the space of two months, there may be a potential new signing arriving shortly. “I’ve been speaking to somebody who we are close to agreeing to ahead of today or early next week, but we will have to wait and see what happens with that. There are so many games to play. As an example, around Easter it will be Friday, Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday, so we will need the bodies in.”
Hereford face Scarborough at Redditch’s Valley Stadium tomorrow and return to Worcester’s Sixways Stadium on Tuesday 27th February to face Chester, but Downes is excited to finally get back to Edgar Street, hopefully on Tuesday 10th March against Leamington.
“I want to thank Sixways Stadium and Redditch for temporarily hosting us as we need to get games played, but I’m desperate to return to Edgar Street. I want to make our home ground a fortress and I know our supporters can’t wait to get back. They were brilliant in getting behind the team on Tuesday, and they were so loud in the stand behind the dugouts at Worcester supporting the players.
Downes added: “I’ve played at Edgar Street numerous times as a player and I know the Hereford supporters will bring the noise and get behind the team, and I’m desperate for us to get back home.”
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