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."