Wrexham Evening Leader

Knock 'Em Over Again

19 December 2003

David Lovett

By David Lovett

Denis Smith

Christmas and new year is a big time for us with four games in two weeks. Grimsby, of course, were a first division side last season so they won’t be easy to beat up there

DENIS SMITH today began building up Wrexham after a day of helping them knock ‘em down.

He went tenpin bowling yesterday with other staff and coaches out for some Christmas fun - but it’s all deadly serious at Grimsby tomorrow.

Smith said: “I just hope we get a few more ‘strikes’ tomorrow! Christmas and new year is a big time for us with four games in two weeks. Grimsby, of course, were a first division side last season so they won’t be easy to beat up there.

“Not that, they ever are, but our away record so far is as good as anything in the division so we needn’t fear anything.”

Smith is almost certain to start at Blundell Park with the side who began against Peterborough United last Saturday. Wrexham won 2-0 but before the end he made two substitutions who helped nail down a 2-0 win. Centre-back Brian Carey headed the first goal on 67 minutes and sub Hector Sam, who replaced Lee Jones with 20 minutes left, got a brave second goal to give Wrexham three welcome points.

Smith said: “I can’t make wholesale changes even if I wanted to, which I don’t. There’s no need to, anyway. I thought we deserved our win in the end so I’ll probably start off with the same side at Grimsby.”

Skipper Darren Ferguson completes his three-match ban after tomorrow and Smith mischievously said: “We could do with a win tomorrow to put more pressure on him getting back into the side

“Darren’s a good player and you always need good players in your side. We all thought - Darren included - he got on top of that side of his character of losing his rag, but obviously it’s still there and he needs to be careful. I like to have players committed to the cause and Darren Ferguson is certainly that. But obviously if you misbehave in matches you are going to get punished and he needs to be aware of that.”

The versatile Jim Whitley is likely to continue in Ferguson’s central midfield role with the hard-working Paul Barrett and Stephen Thomas either side of him.

Early kick off for Reds
Wrexham got an early New Year wish granted last night at Sheffield Wednesday crashed out of the FA Cup.

Wednesday lost the second round replay to third division Scunthorpe United in a penalty shootout at Hillsborough. That clears the decks for Owls’ scheduled second division game at Wrexham on January 3 to go ahead. Wrexham expect a big crowd and police are making a 1PM kick-off.

Wrexham chief executive David Gold said today: “I’m disappointed it’s a 1 p.m. kick-off. Saturday kick-offs at traditionally 3 p.m. but if police insist on a 1 p.m. start there’s nothing you can do about it.

“I’d also like to remind our fans that this game will be ticket-only, as opposed to all-ticket. That means we can sell tickets on the day of the match but fans are advised to get them early because we are expecting a bumper crowd.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we get 7,000 for this one.”

Smith and his assistant, Kevin Russell, are impressed with the amount of ‘unseen’ work Barrett gets through and Thomas - Ozzie to his mates - is keen to keep Wrexham on the yellow brick road.

“Baz’ and Ozzie work their socks off,” said Smith. “Ozzie is also useful to have around at set pieces what with Darren still being out. You can always do with a win this time of year, especially away from home, and I believe we can get one tomorrow.

“We had to dig in and show a lot of grit against Peterborough. The first-half was diabolical but we stuck at it and got what we deserved in the end.

“Tomorrow could be similar for a while. Grimsby are a hard-working side and we’ll need to be at our best to get anything out of it. But, as I say, this is an important time of the season with a lot of points to shoot for - and we’ve got to go for them.”

Wrexham probable: Dibble, C. Edwards, Pejic, Carey, Lawrence, P. Edwards, Barrett, Whitley, Thomas, Jones, Llewellyn. Subs from: Whitfield, Roberts, Crowell, M.Jones, Sam, McNulty.