Bulls bolster their squad by signing midfielder O’Leary

8:57am Thursday 28th August 2008

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HEREFORD boss Graham Turner will have been drawing on his 30 years of managerial experience to raise spirits at Edgar Street ahead of Saturday’s visit by Crewe Alexandra.

Last weekend’s 6-1 reverse at Bristol Rovers left the Bulls at the foot of the League 1 table, still without a point three matches in to the new campaign.

Turner has added a new face to the squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with the signing of former Luton Town midfielder Stephen O’Leary.

The 23-year-old made more than 50 appearances for the Hatters, whom he joined as a trainee, either in a central or right-sided midfield position.

A Republic of Ireland under-19 international, O’Leary was offered a contract by Luton at the end of last season but declined in a bid to find higher-graded football.

“He is a neat passer of the ball who can get forward,” said Turner. “We have had a look at him in a couple of games here.”

Turner’s bid to bring in another loanee over the weekend was dashed, however.

“We had everything agreed to bring a player in but, over the weekend, he had a chance to join quite a good Scottish Premier League side and he took that,” said Turner.

With the transfer window closing next Monday night, Turner is still working on adding to his squad.

Crewe have won on five of their 15 visits to Edgar Street but that includes a run of four straight successes in Hereford ending with their last trip in January 1994.

The Railwaymen spent heavily on strikers during the closed season, splashing cash on the familiar figure of Anthony Elding - well known to Bulls fans from his spells at Stevenage and at Stockport - and former Tranmere striker Calvin Zola.

They, have, however, won just one of their three League 1 games to date, conceding seven goals in the process.

“Crewe were very impressive in beating Bristol City in the Carling Cup on Tuesday,” said Turner. “They could have been three or four goals up before missing chances made things difficult for them.

“We have got a tough task.”