Dragons boss keeps sights on Div1
By Andy Rose
28 December 2003
Denis Smith |
There is no money in the pot here and anyone who says differently isn't telling the truth
|
DENIS SMITH has
accepted that the coffers are empty at Wrexham - but he remains convinced
his side can reach the play-offs this season.
The Dragons currently sit in eighth position in Division Two, buoyed by a
1-0 Boxing Day victory over Stockport County.
But while some managers are preparing to bolster their squads when the
transfer window is thrown open, Smith admits he will simply have to make
do with what he's already got.
"There is no money in the pot here and anyone who says differently isn't
telling the truth," said Smith.
"The club has financial problems and no money to spend on new players.
"But I knew that when I got here.
"Now we just have to get on with it as best we can."
Wrexham's cash-flow problems came to a head last month when the club was
forced to pay its players in two instalments.
Smith acknowledges the desperate measure was far from ideal, but said: "As
long as the players got paid it doesn't matter.
"Everyone here understands the situation and is trying to keep things
straight from now on."
Wrexham face Blackpool at the Racecourse today bringing the curtain down
on an entertaining 12 months both on and off the pitch.
While Smith is resigned to playing on with the same squad he kicked off
the season with, he insists promotion is still very much top of the
agenda.
"The past 12 months have been very good for us," said Smith.
"We went on a tremendous run in the second half of the season, going 17
matches undefeated which got us promoted.
"I am still hoping to get to the play-offs at least this season.
"We will be a major threat if we can have a second half like we did last
season when we won a lot of games. Automatic promotion is not out of the
question and we have got to aim for it.
"But if we go into the New Year in the top six or seven then we are in a
nice position to push on.
"The strange thing is that if we get into the First Division I think we
are well equipped to handle it up there.
"I have spent most of my time as a manager in the First Division and I
know we have got good enough organisation to keep out of trouble.
"But we have got to get there first, which will be even harder than
staying up."
The return of Chris Armstrong to Wrexham colours in the summer has so far
failed to live up to expectations, with the former Tottenham and Bolton
striker plagued by injuries.
With fellow striker Lee Jones also sidelined, Wrexham have lacked the
firepower they desperately need.
"It is hard to beat other teams because at the moment we aren't scoring
enough goals," added Smith.
"We are solid at the back and hard to beat but we have lost our top
strikers which doesn't help.
"If we can get them back then who knows."
The Dragons beat Stockport on Boxing Day to claim their third clean sheet
in four games.
And Smith was happy to single out 38-year-old goalkeeper Andy Dibble (main
picture) for another superb performance.
"It was pleasing to get the win but the game should have been over a lot
earlier," he added.
"Andy is just getting better and better.
"That takes a lot of doing at his age but he has been outstanding.
"I am not just talking about on the pitch either - he's great to have
around the club.
"He is very good in training and he sets a great example for the other
players with his enthusiasm.
"The other great thing about him is that he speaks his mind.
"We have had one or two disagreements but I would much rather people say
something to me than hide away in corners."
Midfielder Darren Ferguson is available again following a three-match
suspension.
And despite back-to-back victories Smith is likely to recall him, possibly
at the expense of Friday's match-winner Paul Barrett.
Barrett admits that his first goal of the season may not be enough to
guarantee him a place in the line-up against Blackpool.
"To be honest, if you're in you just try to do your best and after that
it's up to the gaffer," he said. "Darren is one of our more experienced
players and he's well missed, so if the gaffer changes it then fair
enough."