Whitley confident of Dragons' revival
By Darren Devine, Western Mail
24 December 2004
Jim Whitley returned to the side last weekend following a groin injury |
WREXHAM midfielder Jim Whitley believes the
Red Dragons will benefit from the 5-1 thrashing they suffered last time out when
they face promotion-chasing Bradford City today.
Whitley expects the Bantams to underestimate his team-mates after the Dragons
conceded eight goals in back-to-back defeats to MK Dons and Hartlepool United.
"We tend to do well against the good teams and under-perform against the poor
ones.
"They'll probably think we'll be a pushover because of the last couple of
results, which will work in our favour.
"We'll approach that as we do every other game, but, because they're sixth in
the league, we'll be more disciplined and defend better than we did against
Hartlepool."
Whitley, who returned to first-team action last Saturday after 11 weeks out with
a thigh injury, said he is still several weeks from being fully match fit.
The midfielder was substituted after 77 minutes of the game against Hartlepool
United at the Racecourse last Saturday.
"As I'd been out so long and hadn't been put in a game situation my thigh
started aching after a bit so I couldn't really perform.
"I know from previous experience it takes quite a few games before I'll be match
fit again.
"But if I can do my bit to try to help the team out and the gaffer needs me
there then I'll do whatever I can, even if it means I have to come off at
half-time because I'm knackered."
Wrexham go into the fixture at Valley Parade with doubts hanging over the
fitness of striker Chris Llewellyn (groin) and Scott Green (groin), while Shaun
Pejic is expected to return after being sidelined with illness.
Midfielder Tom Kearney (ankle) will be missing for the Bantams.