13 July 2005
By RICHARD WILLIAMS
| DENIS SMITH will not be
rushed into finalising his 20-man squad ahead of the new season. Under Football League rules, because Wrexham are in administration, Smith is only allowed to name a squad of 20 players - and 18 positions are already finalised. The Reds' boss is waiting to see whether veteran defender Brian Carey can prove his fitness following a long-term knee injury before offering the Irishman a contract. If Carey is able to, that would leave one position to fill and Smith cast an eye over possible contenders during last night's 4-0 victory over Unibond League Division One outfit Colwyn Bay last night. Four trialists - Aaron Samuel, who scored two of the goals, Adam Hitchin, Michael Walsh and Chris Jones -were all introduced to the action as second half substites. A more experienced trialist, Rodney Jack who scored against Liverpool on Saturday, played the opening 45 minutes and Smith will continue to run the rule over the players. Smith said today: "They all want to do well, there's no point in being here if they don't want to impress. Chris Jones had another good game, Michael Walsh did well out wide right and what more can you ask of a striker (Aaron Samuel) who has just scored two goals. "I am constantly looking for players but I am restricted on what I can do. And if players are looking for jobs, we have to do the right thing by them. If we are not taking them on, we have to be fair and give them the chance to get set up somewhere else. "Second half I thought the trialists did well but you have to be careful — you can't get carried away with what people do in pre-season because games are just like training sessions. "We will make a deicision in time. I can only have 20 players and 18 are sorted, 19 if Brian Carey proves his fitness and that leaves me the one. "If there is just one place left I have got to get it right. "Brian has been out since October, and there will come a time we have to make a decision. We'll leave it as long as it is good for the club. He has been superb here, that's why we are being so patient. Normally it is not a problem but I am restricted to 20 players." Smith also gave promising Racecourse youngsters Mike Williams, who started the game in defence, and Matty Done, who came on at half time, another opportunity to show what they can do. And the pair, also used against Liverpool on Saturday, both got on the scoresheet, Williams opened the scoring in first half injury time after Wrexham had been more than matched by Bay, and Done got the final goal eight minutes from time to supplement Samuel's brace. And Smith, who saw an improved second half performance, was delighted to give youngsters an opportunity to impress, saying: "It gave me a chance to look at the younger players. Young Mike Williams has hardly played centre-back and did well. He was a bit sloppy on the ball but scored and did well for the third goal for Samuel when he challenged with the keeper. "I think he's surprised to be in the squad but he doesn't know what's going on in my head does he? "He's got size, got pace, left sides, he has a lot going for him. What he has got to do is push on. I was disappointed with him last year, this was an opportunity for him this year. "Matty Done struggled for a bit and then showed what he can do, and got used to it." But Smith was not happy with the pace of the first half and the lack of urgency shown by Wrexham to break down their opponents. "It was as though we were out for a jog around in the first half," said Smith. "In the second half there was a lot more energy, a lot more at it. They heard what was said at half time and the energy levels were a bit higher. "First half I know it was hot but it was like walking pace, but to be honest Levi Mackin and Matty Crowell only got back fit in the morning and struggled badly. Perhaps I was asking a lot of them but they need games. "Colwyn Bay shaded the first half but we were the only ones who had any shots on target, they didn't. But they did have far too much of the ball for my liking. "Second half Lee Roche made a big difference and Shaun Pejic looked like an old pro - quality. "We should be coming here and winning 4-0 but you wouldn't have thought so having watched the first half." "I am looking at the squad and seeing who can do what. It's not just about the players coming in, people already here have jobs to do. "I don't want to see them going backwards. What they did last season has nothing to do with what they do next season. Just because they had a good season doesn't mean they will again, they have to keep working." |
Trialist Aaron Samuel scored twice on his debut after being released by Arsenal
What more can you ask of a striker who has just scored two goals
Denis Smith Related Articles:
|
