Little: Don’t call my side negative
By Andy Gilpin, Daily Post
04 December 2007
BRIAN
LITTLE says nobody should confuse his determination to improve Wrexham’s
defensive record with his ambition to win as many matches as possible as the
club bid to climb away from the bottom of the Football League.
The Dragons boss, whose side drew 0-0 at Rochdale on Saturday and face Bury at
Gigg Lane this evening, is anxious to avoid being labelled ‘negative’, following
weekend comments from his Spotland counterpart Keith Hill.
The Rochdale manager accused Wrexham of adopting spoiling tactics that were
designed to frustrate the opposition and said: “That’s not football for me.”
Yesterday Little hit back, claiming that Rochdale’s performance had nullified
his pre-match game plan.
“We set up with the aim of breaking down the line and getting behind them, but
it never really worked for us,” he said.
“We wanted to play with three up front effectively but the two wide lads got
pushed back so much it looked as though we were playing 4-5-1.
“If it appeared negative it was because Rochdale were pretty good in possession
and we spent the majority of the game on the back foot.
“When we did get forward we gave the ball away too often when we were in good
positions and we should have done better.
“But I don’t want people to think we are going out there simply to make sure we
don’t lose because nothing could be further from the truth.
“Of course we are trying to set ourselves up to be strong defensively, but I’d
like to think we can play better than we were allowed to at Rochdale on
Saturday.”
The Dragons boss revealed he would be making a couple of changes tonight and
reverting to the 3-5-2 formation he employed for his first match in charge
against Chester City.
Teenage winger Matty Done, who is ill, looks set to be replaced by Eifion
Williams, while the experienced Ryan Valentine returns at left wing back in
place of Neil Taylor, who is nursing a slight hamstring strain.
Little conceded that the youngster would be disappointed and admitted it had
been a difficult decision.
“Neil has been given the okay to play following treatment and I’m sure if it was
left to him the kid would want to carry on,” he added.
“He has done ever so well and I’m reluctant to change things, but in this
instance it’s the sort of decision that a manager is paid to make and I feel I’m
justified in doing that.
“I don’t want Neil to possibly aggravate the hamstring and I’ve decided to look
after him.
“Fortunately Ryan is fit again now and, though he might not have expected to be
back so soon, it shows that the players not in the side have to be ready when
the call comes.”
Trinidad international Silvio Spann is also included in the squad for the first
time since Little’s arrival and could be among the substitutes.
“I’ve been delighted with both the performances since I came in,” said the
Racecourse boss. “I’m pleased that fans believe we are looking more solid at the
back, but we have to go on from there.
“We have worked on counter-attacking, which is where we were lacking on
Saturday. With two up front against Chester we scored twice, which shows what we
are capable of.
“And if we can expand our play a bit more than we did at Rochdale we are going
out there with the intention of winning the match.”
Valentine, who has played only twice in two months because of injury problems,
came through a reserve team match last week, but admitted to some sympathy for
Taylor.
“He has come in and done well, so he deserved to keep his place in the side at
Rochdale,” he said.
“But his progress has not surprised me because he is one of a number of the
younger lads like Wes (Baynes) and Matty (Done) who have been given a chance and
have taken it.
“It’s a healthy situation for the club and augurs well for the future, but we
all know there is competition for places and I’m just happy to be back in the
side.
“Hopefully I can impress the gaffer and play my part in getting the results that
we need at the moment.
“The last couple of results have boosted our confidence and with more than half
the season to go there is no reason why we can’t continue to improve.
“It may not happen overnight, but a few decent results could make a huge
difference because confidence plays a big part in any sport.”