Little turns to youth of Wrexham

By Mark Currie, Daily Post

19 April 2008

WREXHAM manager Brian Little yesterday ripped his team apart in a drastic last throw of the dice to stave off relegation.

Six of the starting line-up in last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town have been axed for this afternoon’s Racecourse clash with Notts County and the Dragons boss has turned to his younger players in a bid to secure a stay of execution.

Out go Simon Spender, Richard Hope, Phil Bolland, Michael Proctor, Sam Aiston and Drewe Broughton, to be replaced by Shaun Pejic, Steve Evans, Levi Mackin, Andy Fleming, Wes Baynes and Gareth Evans in a 16-man squad.

Nothing less than three points today will suffice for Wrexham against opponents who could yet find themselves dragged into trouble and Little is clearly leaving no stone unturned in a bid to end a run of seven games without a victory.

“I remain totally dedicated to winning the game tomorrow and something had to be done after Sunday’s game at Shrewsbury,” he said yesterday.

“When the first goal went in there you could see that something drained out of the players, so we feel that now is the right time to make some changes and to bring in some younger blood.

“We have got to have a real go at Notts County tomorrow and it will be very interesting to see how some of our younger players cope with the situation.”

The Dragons boss confessed he had considered the possibility of wholesale changes after losing at Barnet at the end of last month, but eventually erred on the side of experience.

“There was a temptation to make these changes then,” he added. “But we were hoping to get a response from the players at Barnet for the games against Mansfield and after, but it never happened.

“Let’s be clear, though, we are not picking a team to lose tomorrow’s game. Notts County will have had us watched at Shrewsbury and on the basis of what they saw will feel they can beat us.

“Now, though, things could be very different and if we win the game we’ll have three left with something still to play for, and I’ll have a better idea how this particular group of players can cope with league football.

“It’s all part and parcel of the planning for next season irrespective of which league we will be in, and it’s not as though these younger players have had no experience.

“We have always felt that Andy Fleming is a good, young player and Levi Mackin has been out on loan where, according to our reports, he has done very well.

“Anyone who was at Shrewsbury would have expected me to change the team this week and we have to try something different to get rid of the losing mentality which has affected the players involved in recent months.”

Neil Roberts, who has survived Little’s cull and will play up front today alongside Marc Williams, agreed the manager had been bold.

“Obviously he feels the need for a shake-up and wants to see if some of the younger lads can step up,” he said.

“The only positive we can take from the season has been the progress of kids like Wes Baynes, Neil Taylor and Marc Williams and it will be an interesting game.

“I’m grateful and delighted to be involved because in some ways it’s a new beginning for Wrexham. It’s been a worrying time, but if we beat Notts County and results elsewhere go for us, we’ll still be hanging on. The younger players haven’t had the draining experience of recent weeks and can go out and play without pressure tomorrow.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to help them along and, although nobody expects us to stay up, stranger things have happened.”

Notts County manager Ian McParland has warned his players against complacency but knows a draw would probably ensure his team’s safety.

“It’s a massive incentive for us that we could be safe this weekend,” he said. “It’s in our own hands and if we can go to Wrexham and get a result, hopefully that will see us towards that safety mark.

“People are saying Wrexham are virtually down already but they will be fighting to the death.

“They were well beaten by Shrewsbury last Sunday and I think they will have had a right kick up the backside from their manager and his staff this week.”