HEREFORD United will be looking for an improvement when they visit Forest Green Rovers in Saturday's friendly (3pm).
The Bulls were beaten 3-1 at Telford United on Tuesday and head to the New Lawn with just a week to go before the League Two season kicks off at Southend.
Manager Jamie Pitman admitted the New Bucks Head defeat was a wake-up call for his players and reckons they will be better for it against another Blue Square Bet Premier team.
He said: “We were disappointed with the Telford result, you don’t want to lose games but it’s given us a bit of a wake-up call and given us something to learn from.
“That’s what pre-season is for and if you go through thinking everything’s hunky-dory then losing is hard to cope with.
“Forest Green will give us as tough a test as Telford did and we have got to be doing better in the game.”
Hereford will field a strong side but also have one eye on the visit of Premier League Bolton Wanderers on Monday for Pitman’s testimonial.
Centre-half Stefan Stam has had an injection in a thigh injury and is doubtful, while midfielder Nicky Featherstone is waiting on the results of a bone scan on his foot.
Full-back Ryan Green will be available after missing the Telford trip because he was stuck in traffic caused by the M4 tunnel explosion in Newport.
Pitman added: “What I need to do is make sure everyone has played enough football to make sure they are fit.
“We have got two games in three days coming up and we will utilise the squad as much as possible so they are available for a week on Saturday.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here