A trip to Wrexham has always proved monumental in some form. In 2016, our first year back at this level, we won 1-0 to secure a play-off place. A year later, we travelled there against a backdrop of concern and misery following the financial revelations that emerged a few months earlier, but once again managed to take three points. Then, at roughly this same point last season, we lost 1-0 in North Wales for a game that fuelled a desire to get Peter Taylor out of the club. This time, Wrexham marks the first away league game of the Daryl McMahon era, an era that has offered nothing but positivity so far. After earning a first victory in two months against Notts County last weekend, we're looking to make it back-to-back wins for the first time since our return meeting with the Dragons at the back end of October. It wasn't just getting the three points that was pleasing, but the overall manner of it; the team played with an intensity and tempo that was rarely seen at Victoria Road under Taylor. Today, we face a side who have had just as much source for optimism as us in the past few weeks. Much like us, Wrexham have been able to alleviate growing concerns for relegation with a spate of good form that has seen them win three games in their past four, including a notable success away at Harrogate Town last week. Their recent upturn is an inspiration for us to do exactly the same thing in the next few weeks, but first we'll have to be the ones to strike a dent into their recent good spirits. Whether or not this materialises, one thing we can all but guarantee is that we'll get a spirited and committed performance in which the players give all they've got to try and get the three points. Irrespective of results, that's good enough for any supporter. However, such was the manner of last weekend's victory that there's belief we can make it two from two, especially given the recent news that Ben House is back at the club on loan. He showed much promise during a previous spell at the club that was stunted by injuries, the lack of creativity of those around him and the fact that he was playing under a safety-first manager who constantly played for a point. Him and Reid, who made a brilliant impression on debut against Notts County with both goals, are certainly capable of doing the business to ensure we have a gradual ascent up the division, away from the dreaded drop zone which previously was edging closer every week. The signing of Jay Harris last night only added to the armoury Wrexham have amongst their ranks, but we're certainly got the ability to penetrate them too. With both teams in good spirits and both finding a scoring touch recently, it should be an entertaining game that could conceivably go either way. McMahon confirmed in his most recent interview that Balanta still isn't available from injury, much to the frustration of the supporters, while the absence of Sam Deering from a team photo yesterday sparked worry that he may have sustained an injury too. Aside from that it should be the same team as last week, although House may dislodge Kandi and Wright may sneak in ahead of Eleftheriou.
Let's hope we're able to dig deep and get a long-overdue first away league victory since September. Whatever happens, it's just nice to really look forward to games again, safe in the knowledge that the team are going to put in effort and play on the front foot, and I have no doubt it'll be the case again at the Racecourse.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
WRITERArchives
January 2024
|