Little determined to turn Wrexham around

By RICHARD WILLIAMS

15 April 2008

BRIAN LITTLE is determined to bring success to Wrexham – but knows it is his last chance.

Little, who replaced Brian Carey as manager in November, has agreed a two-year extension to his contract which was due to expire at the end of the season.

And it looks as though Little will be managing Wrexham in the Blue Square Premier Division next term as the Reds are nine points adrift of safety with just four matches remaining.

And the 54-year-old experienced manager accepts this is his last chance to revive Wrexham's fortunes.

"I thing the most important thing is that the club needs to look beyond the end of the season," said Little today.

"My view is there is a lot to do here.

"Some people might judge me on what I have done up to now.

"I have to accept that. But what I will say is who else could have turned it around? It would have been a tall order for anyone to change things.

"All I ask for is the opportunity to sort it out.

"I've had one and this will be the second. I definitely won't get a third chance here."

Little himself admitted he would leave if he failed to turn things around at The Racecourse, and he is eager to restore some pride on the football pitch.

"I believe in my own mind I will not stay around if things go wrong. If it is not working I will be the first to admit it," said Little.

"I am not in the game to lose matches and I am not in the game for money, that's for sure.

"I am in it because I want to do well.

"It is too good a club and I will work hard to change things in the summer.

"The deal is to rebuild the place.

"I want to give fans something to cheer about.

"Denis Smith did a great job but then administration kicked in and the club has not recovered on the field of play.

"I remember when I was at Tranmere that Wrexham were high up in what is now League One.

"We have to get back to that and when fans get on the bus for away matches, think we will get a result. We need a group of players who will win matches."

Little has admitted that Wrexham will undergo a major rebuilding programme ahead of the new season and he is looking to bring in as many new faces as possible.

A number of younger players, such as Neil Taylor and Wes Baynes, have signed new contracts while others also have deals that run beyond the summer.

On the other hand, a number of players are out of contract and Little said talks have already been held with members of the squad who do not figure in his plans next term.

"It won't be easy to change things as some people are under contract, but the process has started and talks have been held," said Little.

"But I will work hard at changing things here. The group here just can't win games together.

"We are still in a fight but I can't worry about upsetting a few people.

"The players have let themselves down at times and although it is not the same people, we keep making mistakes.

"The bottom line is we are not doing well enough and need big changes.
"I now need the club to produce a budget to work to. That dictates what I do and it is in hand.

"Everyone is now on their toes and aware this club needs to change, and the first steps have been made.

"The players are clever enough to know they are part of something that is not working."

Little gained promotion back to the Football League 1990 with Darlington, the season after he was brought in to try and save them from relegation to the Conference.

Wrexham's fate could be sealed on Saturday if they get a worse result – against Notts County – than third from bottom Dagenham and Redbridge who travel to Rotherham.

And Little admitted it had been a difficult task trying to take Wrexham clear of trouble but he is not giving up while there is a glimmer of hope.

"I think it has been a hard job for me," added Little.

"I felt we were three points short of where we wanted to be and then we only picked up two points from five matches.

"Since then we we have been off the pace and it has been the worst few weeks in football for me.

"We have genuinely tried hard but we just can't get it right on the pitch.

"We've kept saying we need to win the next match but it has never happened.

"I was relegated a long time ago with Darlington but apart from that, I have never had it before and it is not nice.

"But we are not giving up."