Wrexham Evening Leader

Neil Taylor insists Wrexham must start winning at The Racecourse

By RICHARD WILLIAMS

13 December 2007

Neil TaylorNEIL 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.