May is When it Matters

30 December 2004

By RICHARD WILLIAMS

Denis Smith

I'm not interested where we are at the moment, I'm just interested in where we are in May

TALK of Wrexham being just a point away from escaping the League One relegation zone does not interest Denis Smith.

Smith has seen his side pick up four points from their last two matches and Wrexham now face Blackpool at the Racecourse on New Year's Day - the side two places above them.

A ten point deduction plunged Wrexham in the bottom four but Smith says it's where the Reds are at the end of the season that counts.

Smith said today: "I'm not interested where we are at the moment, I'm just interested in where we are in May.

"I've never known a team to be relegated at Christmas or in the New Year.

"I think we are capable of beating every team in the division on our day. So it does not bother me that we are down there - only if we are there in May. "

Smith was delighted with Wrexham's 3-1 victory over Chesterfield on Tuesday, which followed on from Boxing Day's 1-1 draw at Bradford City.

And though Smith did not set his side a points target over the holiday period, he believes Wrexham are capable of achieving the same total in their next two matches.

As well as the visit of Blackpool on New Year's Day, Wrexham travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Monday and Smith said: "There are two more games to go over the holiday period and I'm hoping for at least the same amount of points.

"People say Blackpool is a massive game because they are down there too but I don't see it like that.

"I want three points out of every game we play. Sheffield Wednesday are a massive club though the pressure will be on them."

Smith has been able to welcome back a number of key players in the last couple of weeks and hopefully three more injured members of his squad will return in the next month.

Carlos Edwards, Danny Williams and Dean Bennett are back in training, leaving just Brian Carey struggling with a persistent knee injury, but Smith says they will not be rushed back.

"The three have been out injured a long time, " said Smith. "Although they are joining in in training I'm not getting carried away because playing in matches is totally different. Hopefully they will be back in a couple of weeks and then I'll be stuck for choice.

"Andy Dibble, Jim Whitley, Chris Armstrong and Alex Smith have all returned after injury and we are looking stronger. "
Smith has been particularly delighted with Alex Smith's form over the last two matches.

A knee injury has been troubling Smith after an impressive start to the season and his manager said: "Alex has done very well since he's come back. He has slotted in well and gives us balance on the left."

Another member of the Reds' midfield, Mark Jones, scored a screamer in the victory over Chesterfield on Tuesday and was also voted man of the match.

Jones got the nod over Levi Mackin and Smith said: "Mark produced what people know he is capable of.

"Some of the things he did were brilliant but I was not surprised. Mark knows he has got the ability. He was put in the side to do what he did and although Levi has done well, I thought we needed an extra goal threat. "

Smith will have more selection dilemmas as Scott Green, who has missed the last three matches, has recovered from a groin strain in time to face Blackpool.