GOALKEEPER Adam Bartlett has taken a firm grip of the captain’s armband after a succession of impressive displays for Hereford United.

The 23-year-old Newcastle United fan has settled quickly into Herefordshire life since joining United in the summer.

Bartlett hopes that the Bulls can maintain their upturn in League 2 form against Chesterfield at Edgar Street on Saturday.

He said: “I thought things were going to pick up after the Charlton win but we were still playing as individuals and not clicking as a team. We have had some pleasing results of late and I think we now have at least 11 players who are committed to the cause every match.

“Our first league win against Accrington was big relief and, even at Rochdale, you could see that things were picking up.”

Bartlett is enjoying the Hereford skipper’s role which had originally been handed to midfielder Kenny Lunt.

“I have never captained any team before. Ryan Green is the club captain and I retained the armband after his suspension.”

Bartlett is close friends with former Hereford midfielder Andy Ferrell. He came to the Bulls’ attention last term after starring for Kidderminster in the Blue Square Premier.

“I had had a good first season with Kidderminster and I jumped at the opportunity to play in the Football League.”

Bartlett is aware of the goal-keeping jinx which struck Hereford last season.

“The pressure is probably less because of the club’s recent problems with goalkeepers. It would have been tougher coming in straight after Wayne Brown. He had been a firm fans’ favourite and last year, there were several goalkeepers who came to the club and did not do as well as Wayne.”

Looking ahead to Saturday, Hereford boss John Trewick hopes to have a couple of players back after injury.

“Chesterfield are a good side but we have played pretty well over the last few weeks. If we play to the level that we have shown lately, we can get a positive result,” said Trewick.