By RICHARD WILLIAMS
01 December 2005
MICHAEL
INGHAM today stressed the importance of a successful festive period.
Wrexham face a hectic schedule in the next month but are without a match
tomorrow because they were beaten in the first round of the FA Cup at Port Vale.
Goalkeeper Ingham will return to action with Wrexham when Mansfield visit The
Racecourse on Tuesday evening, and the Northern Ireland international knows how
critical it is for the Reds to boost their points tally over Christmas and the
New Year.
“It is crucial stage of the season for us. There are a lot of games coming up
against teams who are around us in the table and we need wins to stay up there,”
Ingham, who was a summer signing after leaving Sunderland, said today.
“I think we play five games in 12 days over the festive period and I believe it
is a spell that can make or break your season, there is so much to play for.
DISAPPOINTED
“But before then we have got another three massive games. We have two home
matches and a tough match at Carlisle United before Christmas and we need some
good results.”
Ingham is also disappointed that Wrexham’s FA Cup run was brought to an abrupt
end in the first round at Port Vale where they went down 2-1.
Defeat at Vale Park is the reason Wrexham have a free weekend and the
25-year-old said inconsistency in matches has been a problem for the Reds this
season.
“It was a frustrating night at Port Vale, like at Boston last Saturday, where we
play well in parts but bad in others. We had bad starts but then a storming
finish, and it has been the story of the season,” said Ingham.
Ingham won’t be in action on Saturday but his thoughts will be with events over
in Belfast where soccer legend George Best’s funeral is being held.
With family and friends living in Belfast, Ingham admitted it will be an
emotional occasion for everyone in the city.
“George Best was a legend and he brought a lot of smiles to people in Belfast,
on both sides of the community, and both will miss him,” added Ingham. “He will
be remembered for his football and rightly so, and everyone will be paying their
respects on Saturday.
“George Best was the biggest footballer to come out of Northern Ireland and
every youngster should look up him to him because of what he achieved. He set
the world alight with his skill and I hope he gets the send off he deserves.”