This is the big one

by David Lovett

25/02/02

WREXHAM are ready for a ding-dong derby tomorrow against Tranmere Rovers at The Racecourse, 7.30.

Manager Denis Smith said today: “This is going to be a cracker! They are desperate for points to get into the play-offs and it’s going to be a difficult game – harder than Saturday’s draw at Brighton.”

Wrexham also need points to avoid the drop but also spicing tomorrow night’s derby is a little matter of the 5-0 belting they got at Prenton Park. That was Brian Flynn’s swansong – but it hasn’t been forgotten by the players he left behind.

Kevin Russell said today: “We owe them one for that and the lads will be really up for this one. I agree with the gaffer, I also think it will be a harder game than the one at Brighton. Definitely.”

Smith added: “Saturday was very technical, cat and mouse. It was all about systems. But tomorrow night will be more like a cup-tie. That’s the beauty of English football, or should I say British football, it changes all the time. My planning tomorrow will be totally different to the way we prepared for Brighton. I think it’ll be a helluva atmosphere tomorrow and I hope we get a good crowd in. I think we deserve one.”

Smith is likely to be without centre-backs Brian Carey and Steve Roberts. Carey left the windswept Withdean Stadium on crutches after being cut to the bone above the ankle by flying studs. Roberts is still struggling with a painful knee tendon injury. Stephen Thomas also came off with a tightening hamstring but he is expected to be fit.

But if Carey and Roberts are unavailable, Smith will happily go with teenager Shaun Pejic alongside Dennis Lawrence at the heart of the defence.

Pejic, 19, is still only a third year scholar but he did brilliantly coming on as a substitute for the crocked Carey. Smith said: ‘I wouldn’t think Carey has got a chance for tomorrow but as I speak I really don’t know. Pej’ has done tremendously well for us on Saturday. Both he and Dennis Lawrence were tremendous. You have to judge people on performances and in the last month Dennis has been as good as anyone. He and Pej’ are both natural defenders and I’m reasonably comfortable with that.”

Smith is also bringing Dan Bennett into the squad tomorrow. Bennett is on non-contract but Smith said: “He’s shown up well in training and he’ll be in the squad tomorrow because of one thing and another. Carlos Edwards is putting pressure on other players - at last, and that’s good. Lee Trundle has also got the bit between his teeth because no one’s place is guaranteed.”

• Deputy goalkeeper David Walsh made a 500-mile round trip to Brighton on Saturday - and ended up a spectator. Kristrian Rogers had to return home because of a family illness and Smith said today: “I had to consider taking a chance of having no keeper on the bench, or to bring Walshie down.” Walsh travelled down with website editor, Geraint Parry.

• FOR-SALE Wrexham are being linked with another possible takeover by a self-made millionaire.

Reds turn the table upside down

WREXHAM made a mockery of the top and bottom of the second division at windswept Brighton on Saturday.

They are third from bottom and are fighting to avoid the drop. Brighton are second from top, chasing automatic promotion. But you would never have guessed it . . .

Wrexham went to the tree-lined bowl of the Withdean Stadium where the high-flying Seagulls were expected to muck all over them even without 26-goal Bobby Zamora. But they didn’t and in the end Wrexham left the south coast feeling they’d missed the boat.

One point, as good as it was, could so easily have been three and manager Denis Smith knew it. He said: “We came here to win. I looked at their team on paper and they are good, solid professionals, but they’re not really better than what I’ve got.”

League tables may not lie but Smith’s analysis was spot-on. Wrexham were well worth the point they got and, with any luck, could have trebled their haul. They lost skipper Brian Carey midway through the first-half with a badly-gashed ankle that needed five stitches. Smith had to turn a teenager to do a man’s job - and Shaun Pejic did precisely that.

The 19-year-old third year scholar came on alongside the towering Dennis Lawrence and did a competent job at the heart of the defence. Full-backs Jim Whitley and Shaun Holmes also had outstanding games and old master Smith was particularly pleased with his back four.

Behind them, goalkeeper Marius Rovde also played his part when he had to and Darren Ferguson is getting back to his influential best in midfield.

Ferguson was behind mot of the link-up work and he’s always likely to do some damage from dead ball situations. Brighton goalkeeper Michel Kuipers had to tip over Ferguson’s free-kick in the 16th minute and then the Dutchman showed good hands as he claimed the resulting corner-kick. But three minutes later he was involved in controversy.

Robbie Pethick played a backpass to Kuipers, who miscontrolled the ball and as it was on its way into the net he had to dive on it to keep it out of the net. It was as clear a backpass as you’ll ever see but referee Mark Cooper astounded everyone but not even booking Kuipers.

He awarded an indirect free-kick just outside the six-yard box but when Stephen Thomas rolled the ball to Ferguson, Brighton players were nowhere near 10 yards away. Ferguson’s shot was blocked and Brighton - and Kuipers - survived.

Smith sidestepped commenting on the incident later other than to describe it as ‘strange’ adding: “Decisions go for you when you’re at the top of the table and you have to hope they even out over the course of a season.” Cooper’s decision was double Dutch to most people and Wrexham’s woe was compounded soon after when they lost Carey.

Studs ripped his to the bone after a 50-50 clash with Gary Hart, but young Pejic bridged the gap brilliantly. Whitley and Holmes kept driving on right and left and Ferguson continued to thread it all together. Another of his free-kicks was won by Lawrence but Michael Blackwood’s shot was saved by Kuipers.

Wrexham had to soak up more early second-half pressure but the defence did well as did Rovde when Brighton did get through. Waynne Phillips had a shot deflected for a corner and then Blackwood made a good break but Thomas’ cross didn’t get into the dangerzone. Phillips then got Hector Sam away and he cut in from the right before firing just wide. Wrexham then case closest to a goal.

Ferguson picked out Craig Faulconbridge and he just got in a header on the edge of the box before Kuipers clattered into him. The ball was bouncing into the net but Simon Morgan got back to hoof it away.

Lee Trundle was then came on for Thomas before Blackwood hit another shot just wide and Carlos Edwards replaced Sam.

Faulconbridge picked out Trundle with a glorious ball but he tried to chest it down and missed completely before the hard-working Phillips also had another dangerous cross headed for a corner by Morgan.

That was the last of the action and Wrexham fully deserved the point they got. But had Kuipers seen red in that first-half incident it could have been so different.

Smith and his right hand man, Kevin Russell, however, deserve credit for this result. They were positive in their thinking and the players responded likewise. It was never a game for purists but conditions were so difficult with swirling gusts and a pudding of a pitch.

It was also another lesson in the education of young Pejic, who will benefit from the experience. So will 18-year-old Chris McPhee. He was thrown in for his debut to replace the suspended Zamora and should be well satisfied with his overall contribution.