By Andy Gilpin, Daily Post
03 December 2007
RARELY,
if ever, over the past 30 years or so has a manager accused any Wrexham side of
playing negative football, which was the charge levelled at the Dragons by
Rochdale manager Keith Hill after Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Spotland.
But Hill’s opposite number Brian Little made no apologies for his policy of
putting points ahead of performances in the battle to avoid relegation.
And he gave notice that his team’s dogged defensive display will be the patent
for the immediate future.
Wrexham’s third league draw in a row, a result that maintained Little’s unbeaten
start to his Racecourse tenure, was not one that will linger long in the memory.
But even Hill had to admit his side had come off second best in the dour,
tactical battle that provided little in the way of entertainment.
“That’s not football for me,” said the former Dragons centre-half.
“I can understand why Wrexham set up like they did because they needed a clean
sheet and they came to frustrate us.
“We’ve got to come up with a plan to get round that, but it was very frustrating
and I would not watch that. It’s not surprising that the fans are not turning
up.”
His grudging respect extended to the robust manner in which the Dragons defence
in particular protected goalkeeper Anthony Williams when he added: “They played
a man’s game and they were very competitive. They played very well.
“We were hoping to get three points today but we have not managed that. Our
tactics were spot on and we played with a really good tempo in the first half.
But they defended very well, there’s no question about that.”
His comments will come as music to the ears of Wrexham fans more used to cursing
slipshod defending in the wake of another narrow defeat.
And there will be few complaints from this side of the border if Little’s
newly-imposed discipline is maintained in tomorrow evening’s trip to Bury and
Saturday’s visit to Dagenham & Redbridge.
For his part, the Dragons boss insisted it was important for his players to
learn to walk before they could run and adapt to a system with which they were
comfortable.
“Most of it is based round three centre-backs, but we tried to play with two
wide players in addition to the two wing-backs,” said Little.
“We were hoping to get round the outside of them but it never really happened.
“It’s not over expansive football, I have to say, but initially what I have to
do is look at the players and find a system that suits us.
“Our two wing-backs came into the game as it went on so it was a decent point.
“I’m not disappointed with that and I probably would have taken it before the
game.
“We had a couple of scares but I guess that happens to most teams away from
home. Overall, though, I was pleased because the players wanted something out of
the game and you could see that in their attitude, which was pleasing.
“The most important part of the system is to defend and not give goals away so I
have to be pleased with that. We’ll continue to work hard, to keep things
together and try and improve if we can.
“It’s not going to be easy to go out there and start playing great football and
winning 3-0 when you are bottom of the table. But we’ve had two games now under
me and we’ve been unbeaten, so that is very important.
“Obviously I would like to be unbeaten this week and that would be a massive
bonus for us. And if we could win one, that would be fantastic. But the most
important thing is to set out not to lose these games.”
What Little did not say, but was increasingly evident as the game unfolded was
the growing confidence that spread among his players, who made a shaky start in
the face of relentless early pressure from the home side.
An opportunistic effort from Adam Le Fondre flew dangerously close and a
succession of Rochdale corners prompted a couple of unforced errors, Steve Evans
having to cover Shaun Pejic’s miscalculation before a misunderstanding between
Williams and Neil Taylor could also have proved costly.
Evans was at the thick of the action and delivered his most complete performance
of the season so far, winning his headers and tackles, to say nothing of
dominating former Racecourse striker Lee McEvilly.
Led by the Wales international’s example, the visitors eventually steadied the
ship at the back and, although Rochdale continued to create chances throughout
the afternoon, it was encouraging to watch Williams growing in stature and
showing the sort of form that helped the club survive last season’s flirtation
with relegation.
There was another eye-catching display too from loan signing Sam Aiston, who was
strong and industrious in a midfield where Rochdale’s David Perkins was the
outstanding player until he was forced by illness to withdraw at a crucial stage
of the game.
His departure in the 64th minute, immediately after Le Fondre’s curling shot hit
a post, coincided with Wrexham’s most adventurous spell of the game.
Wing backs Taylor and Wes Baynes both shook off their defensive shackles to raid
down the flanks and the visitors went close to breaking the deadlock when Matty
Done’s superb effort from the edge of the area was turned away by Sam Russell in
the home goal.
Another fine run by the young winger led to another opening, but his low centre
zipped just beyond Michael Proctor’s outstretched boot and the home side
redoubled their efforts in a fraught final 10 minutes for the Wrexham defence.
But Williams made an excellent save low down to his left to deny Callum
Higginbotham and he again showed a safe pair of hands in holding a header from
substitute Glenn Murray.
There was one final opportunity for Rochdale to snatch a last-gasp win but Le
Fondre, who has made something of a habit of scoring against Wrexham during his
career, was unable to put a diving header on target from Simon Ramsden’s cross
in the 88th minute.