by David Lovett
12/12/02
DENIS
SMITH today singled out Jim Whitley and Steve Roberts as would-be
stand-in-skippers for Carlisle revisited on Saturday.
The Wrexham manager is without his influential skipper, Darren Ferguson, who serves a one match ban. It’s also touch and go whether club captain, Brian Carey, will recover from an Achilles injury in time.
“We’ve got plenty of captain’s material in the camp,” said Smith this morning. “You look to Jim Whitley, Steve Roberts and possibly others.
“All we need is for someone to go up to the middle, toss a coin and make sure we’re kicking the right way. I expect all players to be captains and good-talkers on the pitch.”
Andy Dibble would have been Smith’s first choice as skipper at Brunton Park but he’s not quite ready for a return yet, according to Smith.
Former Welsh international keeper Dibble – out for more than a month after knee surgery – was hoping to play for the reserves against Blackpool yesterday but that game was called off because of an injury crisis at Bloomfield Road.
“That would have been the ideal game for Andy but we gave him 45 minutes in a practice match yesterday and we’ll see how he reacts.”
Despite the promise shown by young keeper, Paul Whitfield, Smith believes his side have missed Dibble.
“You always miss your good players, who are first team regulars – just like we’ll miss Darren Ferguson on Saturday,” added Smith.
FORMATION
“But we’ve coped with being without Darren for the first three games of the season and I’m sure we can do it again.”
The loss of Ferguson will be a big blow to Wrexham. The midfield playmaker was man of the match again in Tuesday’s 2-0 LDV Vans Trophy defeat at Brunton Park.
Filling his boots on Saturday will be Stephen Thomas.
“Stephen is the natural replacement but we still have a few things to work on and what formation we’ll be playing at Carlisle,” said Smith.
“I’ll be having a chat with my coaches today and we’ll decide which way to play.”
Smith has employed three strikers in a 3-4-3 system this season but no matter how they line up, the Reds boss wants to see a return.
“We played very well at Carlisle on Tuesday but didn’t put any of the chances away and that’s been one of our strong points this season,” said Smith, who also revealed a slight doubt over wing back Paul Edwards.
He ricked his back at Carlisle and, along with Carey, will be knocking on physio Mel Pejic’s door today.