ROB Purdie says he is quietly confident ahead of the new season, despite Hereford United managing just one win in pre-season.

The Bulls defeated a Leominster Town Select XI 5-0 in their opening warm-up match on July 13 but then lost the next five, including the Herefordshire FA Senior Invitation Trophy final against Westfields on penalties.

But today that will be consigned to the past as United launch their Skrill Premier season against Braintree at Edgar Street (3pm).

Midfielder Purdie, also player-coach at the club, reckons little notice should be taken of the friendlies and believes there is reason for optimism.

“I’m quietly confident for the new season,” he said. “We have learnt from our mistakes in pre-season and built on things. Now we will go into the season confident, fit, sharp and ready for Braintree.

“Hopefully, we can get off to a good start and who knows from there?”

Purdie, back for a third stint at the club, added: “The work that has gone on in pre-season has been really good.

“We have been working a lot away from the pitch as well as on it. Hopefully, when we put it all together it will work.”