By RICHARD WILLIAMS
15 December 2006
DANNY
WILLIAMS wants Wrexham to put their Boston United blip behind them when the Reds
host League Two leaders Walsall at The Racecourse tomorrow (3pm).
Wrexham’s three-game unbeaten run came to an end last Saturday when they were
beaten 4-0 at Boston United and Williams, who could be deployed as a centre-back
tomorrow because Steve Evans begins a four-match suspension after being red
carded against the Pilgrims, wants to see the Reds get back to winning ways.
“It is a big game against Walsall and we have got to get three points. We need a
win to get back on track after last week,” said Williams today.
“We were doing okay before then, were starting to click, but had a mad 10
minutes.
“We want to wipe the slate clean and put Boston behind us.”
Williams bemoaned the injuries that have hit the Reds ahead of the clash against
Walsall who hold a seven point lead at the top of the table.
Midfielder Mark Jones is absent tomorrow with a knee injury sustained in the
warm-up at Boston while on-loan striker Kevin Smith is a doubtful starter having
picked up a knee problem in the same match, and fellow frontmen Neil Roberts and
Juan Ugarte are definite non-starters.
“I will play centre-back if I am needed. I don’t mind where I play,” said
Williams.
“The squad has been depleted because of injuries and suspension and we are
missing key first team players who have played a lot of games.
“Mark and Steve are goalscoring threats and it is a blow to be without them but
we just have to get on with it. But the way the injury situation is at the
moment is the way it has been at Wrexham for the last few years.”
Manager Denis Smith admitted that he will be making at least two changes due to
the loss of Jones and Evans, and said there was a good chance he will make a
third replacement as Smith could be ruled out. Youngster Marc Williams could be
pitched into the Wrexham attack for his second start of the season alongside
Chris Llewellyn due to the lack of striker options, with Lee McEvilly also
available after scoring two goals in a 45 minutes reserve team outing in
midweek, but he is likely to be on the substitutes’ bench.
“Obviously there has to be two changes and there could be more because Kevin is
doubtful and has not trained yet this week,” said Smith. “Marc is in the squad
and I have to decide whether he will start.
“When Marc has come in he has done okay for us. When we were struggling for
strikers last time because of injuries he was away with Wales under 19s so he
did not get the opportunity. But that opportunity has come now. Marc does not
score enough for a striker but the rest of his game is good.”
Smith would not reveal who will replace Jones and Evans but was wary of playing
two out-and-out wingers in Josh Johnson and Matty Done.
“That opens you up a bit and who comes in for Jones will be according to the way
we will play,” said Smith.
“Danny, Mike Williams and Gareth Evans will come in for Steve. Steve and Shaun
Pejic have formed a good partnership in defence and he let himself, the players
and the club down last week.
“Steve is gutted but it has happened now. The Boston player should have been
sent off as well for the challenge but Steve has reacted. But the worst part was
not punished.”
Smith is expecting a good crowd for tomorrow’s match against Walsall who lost
just their second league game last week when they were beaten 2-0 at home to
Swindon Town.
“There should be a good crowd,” said Smith.
“Walsall will bring a good following. They were in the Championship just two
years ago which is a heck of an achievement and although they have dropped two
divisions, they still get a good following.”
Former Wrexham striker Hector Sam, released by the Reds in the summer of 2005,
is in line for a starting place for Walsall and Smith added: “The poor lad went
to Port Vale and had a bad broken leg but he is back and apparently having a
good season for Walsall.
“The lad can play and some of the things he did was class but he was not
consistent enough.”