By Mark Currie, Daily Post
07/02/03
THE
power of positive thinking could be a key ingredient in Wrexham's resurgent
form, according to manager Denis Smith, who has seen his side take maximum
points from their last three matches against promotion rivals Torquay,
Scunthorpe and Oxford.
The mini-run, which has lifted the Dragons from mid-table to fifth in the Third Division has coincided with regular visits to the training ground of sports psychologist Kathy Bond, who is a lecturer at the North East Wales Institute.
As often as twice a week before matches, Bond spends an hour in discussion with the players. But Smith admitted he was not sure just how effective or influential the meetings had been. "I must say I've been impressed with what she's done so far and if I did not think the sessions had some value, I would not carry on," he said.
"But if we win every game between now and the end of the season she can come in and take over as far as I am concerned. On a more serious note, it's only the players who will know just how effective it has been for them as individuals.
"Footballers can be quite cynical about what they see as new ideas but a lot of clubs now acknowledge the importance of sports science as part of the total package and Craig Twist, the NEWI lecturer who is working with the players on that, has certainly helped a great deal as well. Football is a team effort and everybody is making their contribution."
Club captain Brian Carey said the players had been open-minded about the sessions with Bond and claimed they had certainly helped to highlight the need for team spirit. "It's common sense rather than rocket science," he said.
"The sessions so far have concentrated on the players as individuals and their roles in the team. Everyone needs to know exactly what their job is and how it complements the other roles and I have noticed that the discussions have been very open.
"Kathy's is a different voice in the club and her sessions certainly aren't doing any harm, even though it's probably a coincidence that results have picked up again lately. Her work with us is more a team-building exercise than anything and it's certainly helping to strengthen the bonds between the lads."
Carey, along with striker Andy Morrell, was absent from yesterday's training session after they picked up minor knocks on Tuesday night but Smith is optimistic both will be fit to travel to Bournemouth later today.
Only teenage midfielder Mark Jones is a cause for concern because of a slight groin strain but that did not prevent him from completing 90 minutes in the reserves on Wednesday. Jones, who has been on the bench in recent matches, is due to join up with the Wales U20 squad on Sunday to prepare for a friendly against South Korea 48 hours later.
"I felt Mark was not fully fit last weekend when he went on the bench," said Smith. "And he got through a game on Wednesday night which shows that his attitude is spot-on, in that he wants to play in every match.
"I hope he is involved on Saturday and can join up with the international squad on Sunday, because I want these young lads playing at that level too. But he might be too keen for his own good and I don't want to risk any longer-term damage if he is carrying a knock."
Welsh Premier trialists, Owain Tudor Jones and Graham Evans - scorer of Wrexham's goal in a 2-1 defeat - will both be invited back for further games, added Smith. "Graham took his goal well and looked like a goalscorer," he said. "I wanted to see how Owain in midfield could cope with the work from box to box and that took its toll on his fitness but when he sat back in a more familiar position during the second half, he did well."