The Director of Football role has always been a bit of a grey area to a club’s supporters. In fact, half the time, it’s fair to argue even the manager doesn’t quite know what is going on when someone comes in to ‘oversee matters’. One thing that is always promised to fans though is that the manager is still the manager – team decisions lie firmly at his door. But after watching Hereford’s recent 2-1 home defeat at home to Bristol Rovers, I question who does run the team.
For those that don’t know, Jamie Pitman’s new ‘colleague’ is Gary Peters, an experienced player and then manager who has done the rounds in the lower leagues. With him, Peters brought a reputation of succeeding without playing the type of football which would excite fans, but as Director of Football that wouldn’t be his remit anyway, right?
Wrong. I’ve been startled and slightly worried by the role Peters seems to have taken on at Edgar Street. Since when have does the Director of Football sit alongside the manager in the dugout giving instructions to players? Since when do players almost ignore a manager in favour of a man who should be suited and booted in board room?
To give you a brief example of what I mean, take Bristol Rovers’ second goal for example. Down to ten men and hanging on to what would have been a smash-and-grab point, Pitman barked at his forward-two for one of them to fill in the centre midfield position when they haven’t got the ball and stop the spare man advancing. This didn’t happen and Rovers scored as a consequence of this free man in the middle being able to start the move.
Going forward, Hereford clearly do listen, but to Peters, not the manager. Benoit Dalibard was sticking to his instructions like glue; go long, diagonal and early. In Peters’ own words, Hereford’s players are apparently not good enough to ‘get the ball down and play’ so the hoof up top is a way to get the ball to wingers and provide crosses for the forwards.
So basically, Hereford’s league status is hinging on opponents failing to deal with the route one tactic. I wasn’t impressed at all with what I saw of Bristol Rovers’ centre back. He was clumsy and looked very uncomfortable when anyone ran at him, but when 60 yard balls kept coming towards him he must of thought it was his lucky day. Hereford may not be good enough to stay in this league, but I’d much prefer to see them go down fighting the right way – the football way. I don’t think I’m alone in this either, given the ironic cheers that broke out around Edgar Street after every five yard pass.
What happens if they do stay up playing the Peters way? Are the fans made to accept another season of horrible football to watch? And what about the development of what is a young squad? Not one player looked comfortable receiving the ball to feet. This is not the football way and it certainly isn’t the Hereford way.
Since that defeat, Hereford bounced back to beat Dagenham and Redbridge. But this weekend they face promotion hopefuls Oxford United and I can’t see them getting anything out if it if the master plan is to wait for a mistake from a long ball.
It’s a worrying time at Edgar Street. Hereford have been in a lower league but played better football than what they are now. It’s time for Pitman to take back his grasp on the time. Let’s play the football and if that brings relegation then at least we can go down with heads held high. Right now confidence is low and that needs changing. But whose job is it anyway? I don’t think anyone knows.
Written by James Ireson, We Are Going Up’s Hereford United Blogger
James tweets at @joino
