HEREFORD manager Josh Gowling says he needs to 'hold his nerve' to get the best players at the right price for the coming season.

Currently the Bulls have three senior players signed for the 2022/23 campaign and five promoted from their under-18 development side.

Gowling says the club are working to bring in signings but they are prepared to wait for the right player to become available.

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“We’re working hard to improve the squad and push on from last season, but it means that some of the players we’re after are also in talks with clubs higher up the footballing pyramid," said Gowling talking to the club's website.

"It’s going to be a bit of a waiting game in some cases, until players start to filter down into this league.

“We could make a few quick signings now, but we don’t want to compromise on ability, just to bring in a few players quickly, we need to hold our nerve so that we can get the players who are suited to this club and who will really add something to the squad.

“It’s been really encouraging to see that season ticket sales and squad builder donations are really starting to mount up, and that helps us massively when planning for next season.

"I’d like to say a great big thank you to everyone who has donated so far or purchased their season tickets. I’m also aware that our commercial sponsors are also getting behind us and renewing their deals so I’d like to thank each and everyone of our sponsors who have committed to next season so early."

The Bulls offered deals to retain six of last season's squad but have already seen Tom Owen-Evans and Ben Pollock decline their offers.

“I can understand supporters frustrations when they see the likes of Tom Owen-Evans depart, but he’s done a great job for us over the years and felt that he needed a change, I don’t have any problems with that, in football you just have to move on quickly which is exactly what we’ll do," added Gowling.

“We might lose another player or two before the season starts, but Steve (Burr) and I have sat down and set aside a certain amount of money that we’re happy to pay for each position and if a player is looking for more money in a certain position than we are prepared to pay, then we have to make tough choices and not bring them in.

"I’m more than happy to make those tough decisions in order to get the best value for money from our budget, and I’m very confident that we’ll get a squad together that will be an improvement on last season.

“What other clubs do, who they sign and when they sign players is of no concern to us, we know what we want and I am sure we will be able to go out there and get it, especially with the continued support from you the fans.”