Rich Pickings
Taken from the Blackpool Gazette

11/11/03

MIDFIELD man Richie Wellens is fit and set to start tonight's crucial Second Division clash with Wrexham.

The 23-year-old, who missed Saturday's cup triumph because of a virus, has shrugged off the illness and will almost certainly reclaim his place in the starting line up.

It's a boost for Pool because Wellens has been one of the star performers this season.

"It is good news," said assistant boss Mark Seagraves, who took training yesterday. "He should be OK.

"We're not sure about Gareth Evans yet though. He's been suffering with a hamstring injury and we'll have to wait and see on him."

As well as Wellens, there will be another change – this time an enforced one.

Phil Barnes will pay for his red card against Crystal Palace two weeks ago by sitting out tonight's contest.

Aussie keeper Brad Jones, on loan from Middlesbrough, makes his league debut – and is aiming to put pressure on Barnes with a good performance.

As Seagraves says, no one's position is safe. "Brad will be playing and all positions are up for grabs. No one is guaranteed a starting place so no one is the number one," said the assistant.

"If Brad comes in and does well then it's going to be hard to drop him. That goes for everyone. If players come in and do well then they stay in.

"It's like Tommy Jaszczun on Saturday. He's been injured and out of the team yet he came in and did really well.

Imperative

"It's disappointing if you're not in the team but you've got to be bright and breezy, train properly and be ready for when the manager picks you. That's what we're trying to get at this club."

Denis Smith's Wrexham have lost four consecutive games, including a demoralising 4-1 FA Cup trouncing at non-league Yeovil on Sunday.

It means the Seasiders, with three clean sheets in a row, start as favourites and Seagraves says it is imperative to make it count.

"All the good work of the last week will go to pot if we don't get a good result. It's a big game for us," he said.

"As well as seeing them on Sky, we played them pre-season and I've seen them a couple of other times. We know what they are about.

"They have conceded nine goals in the last couple of games but they are better than that and we will have our work cut out."

The hardest decision – if Wellens is fit – is who to leave out.

Mike Sheron played in a 4-3-3 formation against Boreham Wood. Asked how he felt it worked, Seagraves said: "It worked OK but you've got to know who you are playing against. It's horses for courses. You've got to see what formation the opposition plays and adapt accordingly."

That suggests Sheron will drop to the subs bench. Kick off is 7.45pm.