WHETHER they are flying high at the top, or wallowing down near the bottom, the opposition always “worries” Colchester United boss Paul Lambert.

Carl Marston

WHETHER they are flying high at the top, or wallowing down near the bottom, the opposition always “worries” Colchester United boss Paul Lambert.

The U's entertain third-from-bottom Hereford United at the Weston Homes Community Stadium tomorrow, gunning for a third win on the bounce following the successes over Yeovil and at Northampton.

Hereford are lumbered with the joint worst away record in the Football League, having mustered just one point from a possible 27 on their travels. Cheltenham and Crewe have the same dismal statistics.

They have lost eight of their nine away league matches, and managed just two goals. But this woeful record is no reason for Lambert to feel complacent.

“The opposition always worries me. I worry about every game, whether it be against a top team or a bottom one,” revealed Lambert.

“Hereford are near the bottom, but they are not a bad side. However, I feel that we are on top of our game at the moment.

“Since I've been here, I've never sensed that we are struggling. There's only one game when I've been very disappointed with the performance, and that was Walsall at home (2-0). To a certain extent you could say the same against Leyton Orient in the Cup, but I think we only really struggled against Walsall.

“Of course you could say the team was struggling when I first arrived, because that's why I got the job. But the players have been great, considering they are basically the same group of lads.

“At the start of August, people thought that this club was going places. Then in a few weeks time, a new manager was coming in because they kept getting beat and beat again.

“Being a football manager is a really tough job, because you have to rely on other people (the players) to help you.

“Though the Hereford manager (Graham Turner) is in a different position, because he can't really sack himself as he's also the chairman!” added Lambert.

Hereford secured automatic promotion from League Two last season. In fact, they finished above Lambert's old club Wycombe Wanderers, who were beaten in the play-offs.

“Hereford did great last season, and I suppose you could say that they are now punching above their weight,” continued Lambert.

“Everyone expects us to win, but I think it's a dangerous game for us. Expectation levels are high, but it's better to have this than not.

“We might have to be patient, because teams tend to come and be defensive against us, trying to play on the break,” concluded Lambert.