Hereford United boss Graham Turner thinks that the battling qualities of his new-look squad will make them firm favourites with the Edgar Street crowd.

And the former Wolves and Shrewsbury chief is very optimistic about his side's Nationwide Confer-ence campaign, particularly with two promotion places up for grabs.

Turner, who has taken over managerial duties again following the release of player-coach Phil Robinson in the summer, said: "We have got some very bright, young players with a terrific attitude and a willingness to work together. People like Michael Rose and John Grant should impress the fans with their attitude and commitment and young goalkeeper Kenn-eth Griffiths is a commanding figure who will be pressing Matt Baker for a place in the first team."

Turner took Hereford to the Third Division play-offs in his first campaign at Edgar Street in 1995-96 but suffered the agony of demotion to the Conference the following season after a heart-breaking last-day draw with Brighton who, themselves, would have been relegated had the Bulls won.

Last season, Turner relinquished first-team affairs at the end of September following a string of poor league results.

And, although Hereford reached the second round of the FA Cup, including a BBC-televised win over Wrexham, United finished a disappointing 17th place in the league.

Speaking of last season's campaign, Turner said: "We were lacking in the side as a whole and, collectively, we did not produce enough. But I think we have ability and pace in the new squad. Compared to last season's, it's a better squad in terms of ability and attitude. We need to get goals from more areas than we did last season. We need two strikers to get 35 goals between them and other goals distributed between the other players."

Turner, the chairman and the director of football, and company secretary and fellow director Joan Fennessy tendered their resignations in the closed-season but the pair were persuaded to stay on by their fellow directors.

Turner has appointed the experienced Richard O'Kelly, a former striker with Walsall, Port Vale and Grimsby, as coach and physiotherapist.

United have retained only six players from last season's squad: skipper Ian Wright, goalkeeper Matt Baker, Matt Clarke, Scott Voice and talented duo Tony James and Paul Parry.

And in James, newcomer Andy Tretton and Wright, Turner said that United had the backbone of a very good defence.

He said that Wright's power, James' pace and Tretton's steadiness could make a formidable back-line.

Turner said: "You have to go into the season with a great deal of confidence and there is certainly optimism from the players.

"Those who have joined us from Football League clubs have been very imp-ressed with what they have seen. Some big money has been floating around in the Conference with the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Barnet, Chester City and Scarborough, but we are confident of what lies ahead.

"It may need some time for us to gel, with so many new faces in the squad, but the two promotion places on offer this season gives the Conference a different flavour. The games in the league will come thick and fast and it's a bonus to have been invited into the LDV Vans Trophy."

Unfortunately for United, new midfielder Ben Smith will miss the start of the campaign after dislocating a shoulder in the pre-season victory over Bromsgrove Rovers.

And, with striker Grant unavailable for the first three league matches after being sent off playing for Northwich Victoria in the final match of last season, the versatile Paul Parry is expected to slot into the striking role which he adopted for much of last term.

Turner added: "It's a year when we need to provide the supporters with some excellent and entertaining football and some good results.

"A vast majority of the supporters understand the club's financial position and the problems we have. But the management and the players are confident of what lies ahead."