HEREFORD United's league form has suffered a worrying dip since the beginning of the year, writes Andy Holmes.

A long unbeaten run after the festive season last year nearly pushed the Bulls towards a top three finish.

An equally poor sequence of results this year may see United missing out on automatic entry to the LDV Trophy, a competition they entered by default this season following the withdrawal of Kingstonian.

A top seven finish or Trophy success is required to make this a reality and from looking odds-on to achieve this goal Graham Turner's men have slipped into mid-table having picked up just 11 points from their last 11 Nationwide Conference games.

Whatever happens in the Trophy, the Bulls will still have one eye on next season. This worrying run of results could mean that a major rebuilding of the squad is required, if the side are to be capable of mounting a serious challenge for Conference honours.

Extra all round strength is needed with a cutting edge that has been lacking in many games this season.

The nucleus of a good side is already present at Edgar Street with the likes of Scott Cooksey, Matt Clarke, Tony James, Paul Parry, James Wall and Jimmy Quiggin likely to make up the core of the team.

But this still leaves plenty of gaps to be filled including the chasm left by the probable departure of Gavin Williams and possibly Ian Wright.

These will be filled by the best of the rest or any newcomers that can be brought in.

The final quarter of the season is a chance for the other members of the squad to stake a claim and fringe players such as Craig Hanson, John Shirley and Kerry Giddings will surely get opportunities to impress Turner.

If they fail to do so, a complete overhaul of the squad on a smaller budget will be the only option open to the Bulls for next season.

Extra all round strength is needed with a cutting edge that has been lacking in many games this season.

The nucleus of a good side is already present at Edgar Street with the likes of Scott Cooksey, Matt Clarke, Tony James, Paul Parry, James Wall and Jimmy Quiggin likely to make up the core of the team.

But this still leaves plenty of gaps to be filled including the chasm left by the probable departure of Gavin Williams and possibly Ian Wright.

These will be filled by the best of the rest or any newcomers that can be brought in.

The final quarter of the season is a chance for the other members of the squad to stake a claim and fringe players such as Craig Hanson, John Shirley and Kerry Giddings will surely get opportunities to impress Turner.

If they fail to do so, a complete overhaul of the squad on a smaller budget will be the only option open to the Bulls for next season.