by David Lovett
16/12/02
WREXHAM
were today urged to uncork more bottle over Christmas.
The call comes from manager Denis Smith who said: “We showed character and bottle to go back to Carlisle on Saturday and win after losing up there in the LDV Vans Trophy. It got a bit physical in the second-half - but we’re not letting teams push us around any more. We’ve definitely put a bit more bottle into our play and we must keep that.”
Wrexham are now up to fifth after the 2-1 win at Brunton Park. Last minute replacement Lee Jones and substitute Hector Sam got the goals, but Smith refutes claims he now has selection problems as players return from suspension and injuries. Jones came in for injured top scorer Andy Morrell and match-winner Sam replaced midfielder Stephen Thomas.
But Smith said: “No, it doesn’t present selection problems for me because Lee Jones and Hector Sam scored on Saturday. I pick a team who I think are going to win, game to game. I have to pick what I consider to be our best side on the day and that I will do.
“We had the spine of the side out on Saturday. Goalkeeper Andy Dibble, centre-back Brian Carey, midfielder Darren Ferguson and top scorer Andy Morrell were all out for one reason or another. That’s where you start building the side from and when they are all out you’ve got problems.
“The lads who came in on Saturday did exceptionally well - but it won’t guarantee places for the next match. I want competition for places throughout the side and that means in every position.”
Young goalkeeper Paul Whitfield has proved more than a able deputy for Dibble, who is recovering from knee surgery. Whitfield made two outstanding second-half saves at Carlisle where Smith was also very impressed with the 90-minute performance of centre-back Shaun Pejic.
“Pej’ was outstanding,” he said. “We had a lot of young players in the side and the likes of Pej’ and Whitfield did ever so well for us. Stephen Thomas did enough and Lee Jones got better as the game went on. It was a gamble going with three up front when I threw Hector on but that also worked well for us because he got the winner.”
Smith and assistant-manager Kevin Russell are pleased with Wrexham’s position in the third division as the crucial Christmas period begins on Saturday against Kidderminster at The Racecourse. But not all Wrexham fans agree with the club giving Smith a two-year extension to his contract next summer.
Wrexham fan Scott Howard, of Shotton, says: “Are we, the supporters, allowed to ask how can Wrexham make a decision to extend Denis Smith’s contract at this stage of the season? If we fail to get promotion and without the cup draws and financial rewards, will the extended contract now be the right move?”
Smith said: “I’ve got to be reasonably happy at the moment. We’re holding our own at the moment and we’re also holding our nerve. Some people don’t realise the financial situation here. We’ve got to work with the players we’ve got and, all things considered, I think we’re doing well on that score.”
Wrexham were today looking at possibly postponing one of two games scheduled for Wednesday. They are due to play arch rivals Chester City at under-19 level, but Smith also wants a practice game against Shrewsbury Town, also on Wednesday.