Wrexham Evening Leader

Always look on the bright side of life

03/12/04

Denis SmithDENIS SMITH wants to give Wrexham fans something to cheer about tonight.

On the same day the club was due to go into administration, Wrexham travel to Scunthorpe for their second round FA Cup tie which is being televised live on Sky (7.30pm).

Victory tonight could earn Wrexham a money-spinning third round draw against Premiership opposition.

That is on the back of Smith steering his side into the Northern Section semi-finals of the LDV Vans Trophy with victory at Chester City on Tuesday.

With the club set to be deducted ten points for going into administration, Smith said there was still a lot to offer the Reds’ fans.

“If we are ten points shy then we will have a challenge on our hands to stay up,” said Smith. “But it’s not beyond us. We’re going well in the LDV Vans Trophy and there’s the FA Cup. So the more we can give the fans, the better.”

Going into administration on the same day as preparing for a vital FA Cup tie will not distract the Reds’ players, insists Smith, who added: “I can’t see what’s happening off the pitch having an effect.

“The players have been kept informed all along about what is going on. There’s no point keeping it away from them, and they’re not children. We’re looking forward to the game and confidence is high after two wins.”

As well as beating Chester on Tuesday, Wrexham travelled to Huddersfield last Saturday and won 2-1 to stop a sequence of four league defeats.

Smith said it was a big week on the pitch and victory tonight would be the icing on the cake.