Wrexham Evening Leader

Same again says Denis

By RICHARD WILLIAMS

09 December 2005

Lee McEvillyWHY change a winning formula? That’s manager Denis Smith’s opinion as Wrexham go into tomorrow’s League Two encounter with Notts County at The Racecourse on the back of a 4-1 victory over Mansfield Town on Tuesday.

Wrexham were not at their best but the result was all that mattered to the Reds’ boss and he is happy to go with the same line up for the visit of County, which means Danny WIlliams will continue at centre-half for the fifth consecutive match.

“I have been delighted with Danny, he looks as though he is enjoying playing in defence, and Matty Crowell has come into the midfield and done well,” Smith said today. “I will not change things for the sake of it and we won on Tuesday despite not being at our best.

“You only change things if you can improve the team, if things are not going right or because of injuries, but that is not the case. You don’t always go by the result, if you did there would be reason to chop and change every week, and although we were poor first half we won.”

The strike partnership of Lee McEvilly and Jon Walters has impressed Smith. Both summer signings, the duo both scored in the victory over Mansfield.

McEvilly has scored six goals in six matches while Walters’ hard work does not go unrecognised and Smith knows there is more to come from his front two.

“I don’t think people realise how old Jon is,” said Smith. “He is still only 22, though he looks as if he is about 27, and his work rate and set up play is superb. Lee is getting goals and looks a handful in every game he plays.

“It is a new strikeforce and you have to remember Lee has had a few seasons not playing in the Football League while is having his first full season.

“They are playing week in, week out, and building up their partnership and doing the business. They were four great goals against Mansfield with super build-up play which was worth the entrance fee. Hopefully we can continue that tomorrow.”

If Smith decides to name an unchanged side, as Wrexham look to maintain their bid for promotion, Walters and McEvilly will continue to lead the front line with skipper Darren Ferguson, Mark Jones – the leading scorer with nine goals – and Crowell lining up in midfield.

Danny Williams, Dennis Lawrence and Dave Bayliss would fill the centre-back positions, with Lee Roche and Alex Smith continuing in their wing-back roles, and Michael Ingham, who made some crucial saves against Mansfield, between the posts.

With the injury situation at The Racecourse showing signs of easing, Smith is reluctant to name Jim Whitley and Shaun Pejic in the squad.

The pair have played a couple of reserve team matches in their comebacks from serious knee injuries and Smith said: “I don’t feel Shaun is ready for the first team yet. He is not yet up to speed for that level and you have to remember that he has only had two reserve team matches.

“Jim is nearer but he has not played for nearly 12 months and it would be a gamble. I would not want to put him in just yet but they are both there if I need them and are building up their fitness all the time.”

On-loan Robbie Foy returns to the squad following illness and Smith has to decide whether the Scottish under 21 international will get a place on the substitutes bench.

WREXHAM (from): Ingham, Bayliss, Danny Williams, Lawrence, Roche, Crowell, Mark Jones, Ferguson, Smith, Walters, McEvilly, Spender, Warhurst0, Mike Williams, Bennett, Foy, Michael Jones.