Diagouraga seeks 'momentum'

Hereford United's new signing Toumani Diagouraga is hoping he can keep the momentum going at Edgar Street following the Bulls promotion from League Two.

The 21-year-old Paris born player has just sealed a new three-year contract and is delighted he has become such a popular figure in the Hereford United squad.

Toumani first arrived in the UK six years ago when he was signed by Watford: 'I came to England when I was 16 and was given a trial by Watford. I was then taken on as a trainee before gaining a professional contract which had been extended until the end of next season.'

Toumani was orginally coached at Vicarage Road by the Bulls former assistant manager Dick Bate, who was in charge of Watford's youth and reserve sides, but could not force himself into the first team reckoning on a regular basis.

'I made my debut three seasons ago against Burnley in the Championship when we won 4-1.

'It was an exciting time at Watford as we finished third in the Championship and went on to beat Leeds United 3-0 in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.'

Watford did not last long in the Premier League and with experience getting the upper hand Toumani missed out.

'Although I didn't play in the Premier League I did make the line-up in two cup games against Stockport at Vicarage Road in the FA Cup, which we won 4-1, and against Accrington in the Carling Cup.

'I went to Swindon for a while when they went down from League One and it was a similar situation at Rotherham for whom I made seven first team appearances'.

Next came the breakthrough Toumani needed as he joined up with the Bulls on what turned out to be a season-long loan period.

'I had a week at Millwall last summer but that didn't work out and I was then given a chance to come to Hereford.

'League Two football is much more physical than playing in the reserves at Watford so it proved to be valuable experience for me.

'It's the first time I've had an extended run of first team starts and it's been a good confidence boost to have been made the sponsors man-of-the-match a couple of times.

'It was also a thrill to score my first Football League goal against Bradford City and then get another at Chester which helped us to pick up a point.

'Hopefully, I'll manage to get one or two more.'

Diagouraga believes last seasons cup run shows Hereford have what it takes to compete in League One.

'We've proved we can beat any club as our victory at Leeds in the FA Cup showed.

'Our aim now is to keep the momentum going'.

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