Wrexham eye promotion challenge

By Pete Oliver, BBC Sport

17 November 2005

Anything less than the play-offs and we'll be disappointed

Denis Smith

Wrexham manager Denis Smith expects his side to overcome off-the-field problems to mount a promotion challenge.

The Red Dragons have re-grouped following the docking of 10 points for going into administration, which led to their relegation last season.

After re-building his team the vastly experienced Smith expects to secure at least a top-seven finish in League Two.

"Anything less than the play-offs and we'll be disappointed, we're more than capable of doing that," said Smith.

"If come the New Year we are comfortable, we know we can push on from there and we think the club will be getting sorted.

"I have got one or two players from the last time who know how to do it and I have been there enough times myself to talk people through it."

Smith has been in management since starting out at York City 23 years ago and is currently the game's 13th longest-serving manager following his appointment by Wrexham in October, 2001.

Losing points for going into administration was a new experience for Smith.

Wrexham became the first League club to suffer such a punishment and as well as the obvious impact of relegation, their financial problems of recent years have also had a devastating effect on the club's playing strength.

"In our situation we are easy targets. We can't get people on lengthy contracts and if we have decent players then others always outbid us, which is bad business from our point of view," said Smith.

The likes of Lee Trundle and Andy Morrell and more recently Juan Ugarte, Carlos Edwards, Stephen Roberts and Chris Lewellyn all left the club without a fee under the Bosman Ruling.

Smith had to replace more than half of last season's starting line-up and he worked the summer transfer-market well with tied hands.

He added: "When we've had injuries and want to bring someone in on loan we have to go the administrator and the Football League and provide medical authorisation on each injury.

"It's a nuisance, although generally the administrators have been good and allowed us to get on with things, within the restrictions."

Smith hopes the distraction of uncertainty over the club's future will be solved by talks with prospective new owners.

In the meantime, Smith, who added an LDV Vans Trophy triumph to his 1,000-game CV in April, is focussed on a promotion push.

Wrexham have recovered from a start slowed by a crippling injury list to climb into a play-off berth.

Smith added: "We're still not where we want to be, nowhere near. There is still a lot more to come. We have to get people fit and get a team to choose from.

"Going into administration, losing the points and losing a lot of important players was a major blow to us but we are still looking to do better.

"We have not been disastrous, considering what's been going on but we would expect to be better and I think we will get better."