I'm up for challenge that lies ahead says Denis

19 December 2004

EXCLUSIVE By Andy Rose

Denis Smith

Every manager I have spoken to says (that in terms of the players) you are better off in administration because everything is paid for and taken care of

DENIS SMITH could quite easily win the award for the most optimistic manager in football.

But if he can pull off an escape act to rival Houdini this season maybe he should be in line for something a little more prestigious.

Manager of the Year perhaps?

Well, don't mention the idea that he could yet finish the season with some silverware to Smith himself.

Wrexham are fighting for their lives at the wrong end of League One having been docked 10 points by the Football League when the North Wales club was plunged into administration earlier this month.

Dreaming of end-of-season award ceremonies is something he would never entertain.

And Smith admits he hasn't got time either to dwell on the fact that most of the league is now pulling for the Wrexham cause.

"People always tend to say nice things when you are in a difficult situation, but I just look at it as having a job to do, which has now been made that bit harder," said Smith in typically blunt fashion."

Whether he likes it or not, Wrexham have become a real charity case for the rest of the league.

Rival fans have united in a bid to draw attention and money to the Dragons' cause, but Smith would swap their pity in an instant for success on the field.

Preferring to describe his current mountainous task as a challenge rather than the biggest battle of his 30-year management career, Smith is determined to buck the trend by claiming there are still reasons to be cheerful at the Racecourse.

"It's certainly different to any situation I have faced in management, but then every situation is different in this game," he said.

"It depends how you look at life, but I wouldn't call the situation we are in sticky.

"It's a challenge and that challenge requires a new mind set on how to approach it from me and the players. As a player and now a manager I get enjoyment when I actually achieve something.

"I love football matches but only when I win. Playing well doesn't usually please me if we haven't got the result to go with it.

"The players themselves need to approach things in the same way as before. It should be that simple but it obviously becomes harder when you are not relaxed about things.

"Football is very simple when you're relaxed."

The very fact that Wrexham are still in there with a fighter's chance at this stage of the season is testimony to a first half of the campaign which, while hardly spectacular, did at least provide the results to give a platform for the crucial run-in.

Wrexham face four matches in nine days over the festive period but with experienced duo Andy Dibble and Jim Whitley back in contention and more to follow, Smith remains chirpy about the prospects for survival.

"Dibbs and Jim have been out for the last 10 weeks and up until now I have constantly been without six or seven first team regulars," said Smith.

To come back
Carlos Edwards
Danny Williams
Brian Carey
Dean Bennett

"Ask any manager if they could cope with that on a regular basis and the answer would be the same; they would struggle.

"The good thing from our point of view is that we are starting to get players back. If we can get Carlos Edwards (knee), Danny Williams (back) and Brian Carey (knee) back the effect will be like signing a few new players.

"Besides that, the one thing we have always been blessed with is strong-minded players.

"Guys like Dibbs, Dennis Lawrence and Darren Ferguson are all men who will stick their heads up and get you through a crisis.

"They are the kind of characters we need at a time like this."

Goalkeeper Matt Baker became the first player to head for pastures new following administration when he agreed to join League One rivals MK Dons on Friday. But Smith has moved quickly to quell fans' fears that he could be the first of many to leave the Racecourse.

The Wrexham boss insists the Administrator now in control at the club played no part in the deal, which was made for purely footballing reasons - and for the benefit of the player himself.

"Every manager I have spoken to says (that in terms of the players) you are better off in administration because everything is paid for and taken care of," said Smith.

"Administrators are not going to start selling players needlessly because it devalues the product they are trying to sell.

"Having said that there isn't a player in the world who is not for sale. You can buy anyone you want if you have the money.

"Whatever decision I take on a player it has to be beneficial for the club and the player.

"You have got to have respect for one another and I think we do at this club.

But I will not do anything that harms this club. Matt Baker wasn't happy after losing his place to Andy Dibble and his contract runs until the summer.

"He had to take the decision whether he wanted to be out of a job in the summer or take a new chance now. It was the right decision for both of us."