Video nasties featuring those eleven blokes in red and white

Wrexham review videos of the past have been very amateurish, but in recent years they have improved bit by bit. This video is the last of last season and is probably the best Wrexham review video in quality up to now. Let's hope that next year's is even better.

As usual, it comes in a bog-standard box with pictures of Wrexham players in different poses. On the back, the video is said to contain in-depth coverage, action (I should hope so), slow-motion replays, alternate camera angles, computer graphics, interviews and analysis plus lots more. Does it have these? You will just have to read on to find out.

The introduction shows action shots of Wrexham players with dramatic music in the background. It then proceeds to show all the best Wrexham goals from the video. So if you can't be bothered to watch the video, you can just watch the introduction, then switch the video off. All the games are introduced with graphics that show the badges of the clubs playing, the date and the venue. This is really useful, as you don't have to spend ages trying to guess who Wrexham are actually playing. Throughout the games, there is match commentary which is very good and, you could argue, is on a par with Match of the Day. It is nothing flash, but it is accurate (for a change).

The quality of picture is excellent, it is very clear. Although, considering there are meant to be alternate camera angles, there only ever appears to be two: the main one being from the Mold Road stand and now and again one from behind the Yale Stand goal. Even on away games, the only view is side-on. I am not complaining, as this is good enough. Throughout again, there are action replays after most major incidents; they are very innovative and once again excellent. One factor, which is usually a problem, is the sound on videos like this. Happily, this one has got it spot-on. The background noise is evident and it gives you an idea of the atmosphere and how many fans are present. Obviously for the Welsh Invitation Cup games, there were hardly any fans, hence no atmosphere.

After the games there were often interviews, which provided good analysis and made good use of replays of incidents of importance. If I were to be picky, I would say that the interviews were too long and boring in some cases. As for the ending, it was the same as the introduction - all the best goals again (just in case you had forgotten).

Overall, this video contained 12 games, of which two were away from home (Plymouth and Gillingham). The video ran for approximately two hours and five minutes. Its faults were few and far between, but league tables could have been included after every few games and perhaps there could have been a few more camera angles than just the two that were used. Otherwise it was an excellent video and well worth the money for an avid fan.

Generally, whilst watching, you can't help noticing that Wrexham defensively were very weak at times and that Connolly and Brammer were outstanding at the end of the season, along with Mark Wilson of course. One thing that did worry me was the cameraman's fetish for Rockin' Robin. We all love him, but not every five minutes! So next time lay off the Robin a little please.

Matthew Kelly