Welcome to another thrilling instalment of ‘On the Kop with Matt Wedderkopp’. Today we will be learning about SUPPORTING our team. Now class, SUPPORTING our team is crucial to the progress the lads make and their league position. Now the key word here is SUPPORTING. Supporting the lads means shouting things like: 'COME ON, YOU CAN DO IT, TAKE HIM ON MY SON!', not 'OI, YOU'RE ******* USELESS, FLYNN YOU'RE ****, SUB HIM OFF!' Pretty obvious, isn’t it? Well, to some it isn’t. Recent postings to the wrexham@topica.com mailing list confirm that some sections of fans (all in different areas of Cae Ras) still insist on abusing the lads when things aren’t quite going to plan. Someone commented on a fan - saying they’d been going to watch Wrexham for 30-odd years and it was their right to moan. OK, so maybe they can moan, but WHAT GOOD DOES IT DO? NONE AT ALL. I’m sorry to go on about this, but it’s a real issue. Why are the lads better away from home? Because the fans who travel away from home realise the importance of supporting the team and there isn’t as much pressure to perform. Craig Faulconbridge has admitted there is a problem playing at home and has said the players have got to say 'Sod it!' and get on with it. Now, we all know about Mark Cartwright losing his confidence, but during his time at the club he put up two sterling performances that will be widely remembered as feats of goalkeeping brilliance: AWAY at Man City and AWAY at Luton. But, this problem of being nervous in front of the home fans isn’t new. Many a time my late grandfather told me of a keeper called ‘Winkle’ (a school nickname); he is more likely to be known by Wrexham fans as ‘Tiger’ Williams. Frank Williams only made 37 appearances for the club. My grandfather informed me that he was the safest keeper away from home - but at the Racecourse he used to be scared of the reactions of the home crowd. 'Winkle' made his debut on August 31st 1946 and played for Wrexham until the end of the 1947/48 season. A bit of nostalgia there for you folks! My nan also tells me he fitted the bath in their house!
* * * * *
So Carey’s out and we’re not losing 12-0 all the time as many thought we would do. Now, I admre Big Bri, and know he is the best central defender at the club (and has been for a while now), but it’s been quite refreshing to see a new-look defence recently. This new back-four has included Emad, who in my opinion is simply AMAZING. That man has quality oozing out of him. Rumour has it that he has never played left-back before, so here’s a novel idea (one that I raised last season also): why not play wingbacks? What about three centre-backs - Steve Roberts, Dave Ridler, Big Bri (or Lawrence if we get him) - and Emad and Macca as wingbacks. This way Emad wouldn’t have to panic about getting back to defend when he disappears on those mazy runs. If we don't use this system regularly, why not use it occasionally at the end of games? One or two substitutions could turn a game around.
* * * * *
We are the best team in Wales STILL - great to beat Swansea, and now Cardiff are down in Division Three we are clearly the best team in the country. Or are we? We have meetings with LoW teams like Barry in the Premier Cup, but I’m sure it would be quite a different kettle of fish if it was a league situation. Not saying that Wrexham would be down in the LoW, but I’m sure things could be quite interesting if we were playing Welsh teams week in, week out. Not that I want us to be an LoW club - just making conversation, that’s all! Another interesting point is: how well would teams like Inter-Cardiff (or whatever they call themselves now), Barry or Druids do if they were in the English system. Not sure on that one myself.
* * * * *
Bit of a confession to make now. This will annoy all Druids fans reading, but I am becoming quite fond of Oswestry Town. Since my visit there last pre-season to see a Wrexham XI destroy them, I have become quite interested in how they are doing, especially since their elevation to the LoW. If you live in Oswestry or nearby, give them a go. It always brightens up an afternoon when you can't go away to see Wrexham. (Sorry to everyone at Druids - but Os Town is closer for me!)
* * * * *
Well that’s about it from me, I hope this has killed a dull 15 minutes for you.
Cadwn y ffydd
Matt Wedderkopp