City’s preparations for Hereford tomorrow have been left in the dark by the post strike.

Stuart McCall has a good idea on his own team plans for the Valley Parade clash.

But his usual meticulous run-down of the opposition has been affected because the Hereford match DVD he ordered has failed to arrive.

McCall admitted: “I don’t know too much about them. I’ve not managed to see them play and we haven’t got the DVD we sent for because of the post slowing down.

“They have had some good results of late and are not conceding many goals, so they’ve tightened that area up.

“But I’m confident in our lads if we can just raise it from last week. We’ve had a good week’s training and the mentality has been looking forward to this game ever since the Dagenham defeat.

“Without putting too much pressure on, we know we need a win – and hopefully if we put in another performance like we have been doing at home, that will come.”

Simon Eastwood, criticised over the opening goal last week, has been doing extra work with keeper coach Nigel Martyn to brush up on his decision-making.

But McCall believes the dilemma of whether to come for crosses or not affects even the top keepers.

He said: “I saw David James last week coming for one ball and then not the next; Petr Cech was also indecisive.

“Easty’s shot-stopping is excellent but it’s down to making the right decisions. A lot of goalkeepers have that.

“He came out last week but unfortunately their left back collided with Steve Williams, who fell into Easty. He’d made up his mind to catch it but if there’s too much traffic, the decision then is to punch.

“The goalkeeper’s position is the last line of defence, so you can get nine out of ten of those right but get one wrong and more often than not it ends up as a goal.

“But we’ve had a chat about it and he’s done some work with Nige. You just hope as a manager and player that you make right decisions.”

Michael Boulding saw a doctor yesterday afternoon regarding his long-running virus. He was only able to do some light jogging at the training ground and remains a major doubt.

Meanwhile, McCall hopes to nail down a new deal with James O’Brien, whose short-term contract runs out next week.

“We hope to tie James down to the end of the season at least, if not longer,” he said.

“He’s still a young kid, only 18, and probably played more games than we expected at this moment in time. Playing three in midfield has helped his case.

“But he’s done very well and is enjoying everything about being a professional.”