Neil Taylor insists Wrexham must start winning at The Racecourse
By RICHARD WILLIAMS
13 December 2007
NEIL TAYLOR today stressed the need for Wrexham to start picking up victories at The Racecourse.
Wrexham have only recorded two home
wins – against Morecambe and Lincoln City – this season in nine League Two
outings, though they have drawn their last two matches in front of their own
fans.
Having been away in their last three fixtures, Wrexham are back at The
Racecourse on Saturday when they host fellow strugglers Brentford, who parted
company with manager Terry Butcher by mutual consent on Tuesday.
Butcher's former assistant, Andy Scott, will be in charge of the Bees.
And 18-year-old left-back Taylor said the simple target is three points against
19th place Brentford who are four points above the second from bottom Reds, who
have played a game less.
"We have to start winning at home. And we are definitely going for the win on
Saturday," said Taylor today.
"You have got to have that mentality when you play at home. As a squad,
hopefully we can make that happen.
"Brentford have been struggling and are in free-fall – we have to make sure that
keeps happening.
"They will come to get a result but we have to go out and make sure we win."
Taylor made a big impression in pre-season friendlies and has gone on to make
nine league starts after being handed his first-team debut earlier this term.
A product of the club's youth system, Taylor – carrying a slight hamstring
problem that he says he could have played through – was rested by manager Brian
Little for the victory at Bury last week, and was an un-used substitute in
Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge.
And having had the taste of playing in the first team, the Wales under 21
international is desperate for more action.
"I wanted to play and Mel Pejic said I could but it it the manager's decision
and you have to respect that," added Taylor. "Whatever happens, happens.
"I am happy with how it has gone so far for me this season, though we have to
win more games, but it is only half a season. I want to play as many games as I
can.
"Once you have had the taste of it, you want more. I want to get back in the
side and stay there, but Ryan Valentine has come in the last two matches and
done well.
"I just have to keep working hard and take my chance when it comes.
"You are never certain of your place. If you have one bad game, you could be out
of the side for the next. Once you get in you have to keep performing to stay
in. There is competition for places which is good to have."
Little has not made wholesale changes since taking charge of Wrexham for the
first time in the 2-2 draw against Chester City – the Reds' last home match.
Neil Roberts and Chris Llewellyn have continued to operate in midfield roles,
but Little said the position the duo have filled was open to change.
"My initial job was to steady the ship and I asked people like Neil and Chris to
do jobs for me that I knew they could do," said Little today.
"How long they do it depends on a few things. They may not be in that position
for ever and they are aware of that. You do some things for a certain amount of
time.
"I have got a few things to think about after the Dagenham result, and I will
try and come up with a team that wins again."
Little has picked up five points – one win, two draws and a defeat – from his
four games in charge. And having suffered that first defeat at Dagenham last
weekend, Little is looking for Wrexham to put that result behind them when
Brentford visit The Racecourse on Saturday.
"Those five points have been vital to us," added Little. "And in another week,
even teams in a better position may have lost all three awaymatches, but we got
four points. It was disappointing to lose at Dagenham but you have got to put it
into context and concentrate on the next game, and pick a team to win it.
"I said we will have bad days, then we just have to make sure the focus of the
players, staff and myself doesn't change, and we keep doing the right things.
"It is important that fans know we are trying our best, and are doing things
properly.
"I am not referring to the past but I would like to think that since I have come
in we have done things properly."
MEanwhile, the club is offering fans the chance to buy advanced tickets for
reduced prices for Saturday's match against Brentford at The Racecourse.
Adults will pay just £10 wherever they sit in the Mold Road/Yale Stands or stand
on the Kop, and it is £5 for Juniors in the Mold Road stand. The offer applies
to all tickets purchased before Saturday.