DENIS SMITH was today singing the praises of his
five new signings.
Mike Ingham, Lee Roche, Dave Bayliss, Jon
Walters and Lee McEvilly - a second half substitute - all played in
Saturday's 4-3 defeat against Liverpool at The Racecourse.
Mark Jones opened the scoring for Wrexham who then trailed 4-1 against a
star-studded Liverpool outfit who fielded 21 players in total, but then
McEvilly and trialist Rodney Jack struck before a near 13,000 crowd.
And Reds' boss Smith was impressed with the performances from his new
recruits.
Smith said today: "I think the players have got a lot out of it and have
learnt things. I had three YTS players on the pitch and it was a good
experience for them, a good work out for everyone.
"The new players have come in and shown a little bit of what they can do. I
thought Jon Walters was superb and Lee McEvilly has shown what a handful he
can be.
"Lee Roche has done his job, Dave Bayliss has talked and worked everybody
through it and Mike Ingham was man of the match — but hopefully that isn't
happening too much in the season.
"They are nowhere near ready yet. Lee did well but he can't do 90 minutes at
the moment, not at the level we want him to. He has got a lot of catching up
to do but players will be fit by the start of the season.
"You need players who are hungry and the lads I have brought in, Lee and Jon
up front, are very hungry. They have got a point to prove and hopefully next
season they will."
Smith will be hoping to lead Wrexham to promotion from League Two this
season at the first attempt.
And he is confident fans will not be disappointed with what they will see.
"Fans watching us should see goals and entertaining football. All the teams
I have had have scored goals. We let a few too many in for my liking last
year and that's something we have got to work on but hopefully these lads I
have brought in will score the goals. Well have to wait and see," said
Smith.
"Everybody at this time of the year is optimistic about what's going to
happen. You saw us on Saturday, there is reason to be optimistic."
Smith also praised his side for the way they performed against the European
Cup holders who included Steven Gerrard - who has now committed his future
to Liverpool - in their line-up.
Wrexham only returned to training last Monday but Smith could not help being
impressed with their Premiership opponents: "Against Liverpool I think 4-3
is a great result for us because anything under five is an achievement for
us," he said.
"I thought they were superb at times with their movement off the ball and
rotation of the players, it was a joy to watch if you weren't on the
receiving end of it.
"Like us, Liverpool needed that with playing TNS in the European Cup this
week. The first half the side was an awesome line-up and after the break
they brought on players like Xabi Alonso. Not bad, is it!"
And Smith revealed that midfielder Danny Williams, taken off at half time,
has not got the back problems that limited his appearances last season.
Wrexham now continue their build-up to the new season with trip to Colwyn
Bay tomorrow night and Smith will continue to experiment.
"I think Danny will be back in training today," added Smith. "I told anyone
on Saturday that if they felt anything after only being back in training a
week to come off.
"It's a first team fixture and the majority of those who played against
Liverpool will travel."
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You need players who are hungry
and the lads I have brought in are very hungry
Denis Smith
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