HEREFORD’S new manager Russell Slade says that his side need to work harder to create space and options when his side are in possession.

He watched as the Bulls played out a goal-less draw with few chances against Boston United this afternoon.

“I felt for the player on the ball today as when we won the ball back there wasn’t always a lot of options on for the player on the ball,” said Slade.

“That’s something in possession we need to work on. We need to work a lot harder to create a little bit of space to move forwards.”

Slade was seen on the touch-line giving his players instructions and said that a positive from the performance was the clean sheet against a Boston side that beat Altrincham 5-0 on Monday.

“I think it’s the most vocal I’ve been for the last 10 years,” added Slade.

“We both set out with the same shapes so I changed it at half-time to just try and give us some width and a little bit more of a threat going forward.

“I thought they had the better of the first half although we actually defended quite well in the first half and got some blocks in, in and around the box to keep us firmly in the game.

“The second period we came into it a little bit and had a couple of half opportunities to try and get the first goal.  

“It was one of those days when the first goal which was going to be key, but nobody has got it in the end. The positives are that we have got a clean sheet but there are lots of things that I have got a little bit of time to work on before our next game.

“You  go out with the intention, if you don’t concede a goal you’re giving yourself a chance and fair play to the lads for keeping a clean sheet.

“It’s a starting point and there are not loads of positives but that is one of them.”

The Bulls were left without Martin Riley for 28 minutes after the defender popped his shoulder out during the second half while Jason Pope also picked up a knock.

“It’s not great obviously and we will assess him (Riley) and see how he is but it’s not great obviously,” added Slade.

“I thought he was very good today until he got his injury. It was not great on the injury front and we didn’t need that in this situation.

“We have got a couple of weeks now so hopefully we can build up some momentum on the back of that.

“Some of the younger players were asked to come on today and Tommy O’Sullivan has done some good things.

“But they’ve got to be ready as well in terms of mentality and fitness as I felt we faded in both halves really the end of the game and the end of the first half.

“We need to be competing really as the games are 96 minutes. They had a free-kick in the 96th minute and that could have been the difference today. I want it to be us having the free-kick in the last minute."