IF anyone is likely to have a clear understanding of the pressures faced by Hereford United boss Jamie Pitman, it is one of his most distinguished predecessors.

More than a generation ago, Colin Addison’s team managed just one win in their first 10 games in their first season in the Football League in 1972-3.

After the fantastic success of the legendary Giantkillers the previous season and United’s election to the Football League in the summer of 1972, expectations were high as United embarked on their Division 4 campaign.

And those already high hopes were fuelled stil further when United hammered Reading 3-0 in their first home game, with player-manager Addison among the scorers.

But that was to be the only early success and those three goals represented almost half of the meagre tally of seven in those opening 10 encounters which saw four draws and five defeats.

“We were third from bottom and everyone was looking at it and saying that Hereford United and Colin Addison had been found out,” said the 71- year-old.

“But I always felt that I had good players just as I think now that Jamie Pitman has good players, certainly better than last season.

“My team was experienced and not playing that badly; we just needed a player or two.”

Former Aston Villa duo Harry Gregory and David Rudge had already been added into the mix but the real catalyst was former Southport striker Eric Redrobe.

“Gregory gave us quality, Rudge gave us width but Redrobe was our battering ram,” said Addison.

“After he arrived, we went 16 games unbeaten and went on to get promoted.”

Now Addison believes that his successor could also turn things around.

“Anything is possible,”

he said. “I was concerned and worried, just as Jamie will be now but we had a settled side and that is what Jamie needs.

“He needs to decide what his best side is and use a system to suit.

“He needs continuity and stability; injuries have not helped him and some of his key players, such as Stefan Stam, have been missing.

“But Jamie has a good squad and they all need to believe that.

“He has good experience around him in Russell Hoult and Richard Sneekes while Ian Rodgerson and John Layton are there to back him up, too.

“He needs some tightening up in defence and he needs some goals and it has to start happening.

“But it can be done and Jamie can do it; we all want him to succeed.”