By RICHARD WILLIAMS
03 December 2007
BRIAN
LITTLE is determined to install a defensive mean streak at Wrexham.
Wrexham found themselves on the back
foot for much of Saturday's match against Rochdale and had to soak up a lot of
pressure but the gutsy Reds hung on for a 0-0 draw at Spotland.
That marked a second successive draw under Little's leadership, and the point
moved Wrexham off the bottom of the League Two table on goal difference as they
were replaced at the basement by Lincoln City.
Little was delighted with the defensive performance but admitted there was room
for improvement at the other end of the pitch, having seen his side create few
scoring chances.
"When we were under pressure they wanted to defend," said Little today. "We had
a couple of scares but I guess that happens to most teams away from home.
"Rochdale obviously had the better chances and more of the action was in our
goalmouth but I am pretty pleased.
"I would like to improve a little bit in our own play. There was a little spell
in the second half where we looked better, but we tried to rush things in the
final third because we were not there very often.
"We thought we had to try and cross the ball and score but that wasn't really
the case.
"Defensively the team has done very well. Going the other way, there are a few
things we need to improve on.
"We had a little spell early in the second half where we were getting the ball
out wide from midfield and did okay, but overall the most important part of this
system is to defend and not give goals away.
"I have got to be pleased with that."
Wrexham have now drawn their last three matches and are level on 12 points with
Mansfield and Lincoln City, the teams immediately above and below the second
from bottom Reds.
And Little stressed the importance of Wrexham being difficult to beat.
"We worked on a couple of systems in the last week or two to make us harder to
beat, so to go away and draw 0-0 is probably the sort of start we are looking
for," said Little.
"As a unit it is important we become harder to play against, and we certainly
did that.
"It is not over expansive football but initially I have to look at the players
and try and find a system that suits us.
"It is a decent point and I am not disappointed with that. I probably would have
taken that before the game. And it is pleasing that the group is working very
hard.
"The players wanted to get something out of the game and you could see that in
their attitude.
"I guess there have been games earlier in the season with 85 minutes gone they
look as if they might have a draw but have lost. If every one of those points
had been gathered up you soon get up there."
Wrexham have two more away fixtures this week, with Bury next up at Gigg Lane
tomorrow before Saturday's trip to league new boys Dagenham and Redbridge.
Not getting carried away with his unbeaten start in The Racecourse hotseat,
Little is hoping Wrexham can avoid defeat in those two outings, and added: "We
will continue to work hard and try and improve if we can."
"But it is 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 have had two games under me and we are unbeaten, and that is very
important.
"We will try to build on that. We are still a million miles away from the end of
the season but it is reasonably pleasing for us.
"Obviously I would like to be unbeaten this week, that would be a massive bonus
to us.
"If we could win one that would be fantastic. The most important thing is to set
out and try not to lose any of these games."
Meanhwile, Wrexham's FAW Premier Cup quarter-final clash against Llanelli at
Stebonheath Park has been provisionally set for Wednesday January 9 (7pm), and
will be broadcast live on BBC2 Wales.
But Wrexham's League Two match against Peterborough United at The Racecourse on
Saturday, January 5 has been postponed. Darren Ferguson's Posh are still
involved in the FA Cup and will not be able to face Wrexham on the set date.