JUST CARRY ON WINNING
Mark Currie - Daily Post

WREXHAM and their fans don't want to live through another campaign like last season's, but manager Brian Carey would be happy to repeat the run of form which ultimately preserved the club's Football League status in May.

The Dragons picked up 16 points from a possible 27 during the run-in, a tally which - if repeated - would see them pushing for promotion in nine months' time.

Although the Racecourse boss is not in the predictions business, he believes his squad is now better equipped to face the challenges ahead.

"It's going to be a very different challenge for us as a team and for me as a manager," he said yesterday.

"But if we can recreate the pressure play of the last two months of the season without the fear factor then I think we will see some good performances from these players.

"From my own point of view I was appointed to carry out a rescue mission and now the job is slightly different in that we have to improve as a team, but it's not really about me so much as getting that job done properly."

Carey was at pains to point out that Wrexham are in better shape ahead of this afternoon's League Two opener at Darlington than they were 12 months ago.

He added: "We had a heavy casualty list this time last year and if we can avoid serious injuries I feel we're in with a chance of some success.

"It would be wildly optimistic to expect to go from being a bottom of the league side to promotion favourites, but I'd like to think we will have a real say in what's going to happen.

"At this time of the year everybody is positive and optimistic about their prospects and if we get a bit of luck along the way, who knows where we'll be in May.

"But they are saying that too at places like Darlington, Peterborough and even Rochdale, who had a great run under Keith Hill last year."

The Dragons boss refused to be drawn on this afternoon's line-up, save to say the aim would be to deny Darlington as much possession and territory as possible.

"We've an idea how they will play and what we need to do to match them," he said.

"In every pre-season game so far we have shown that we can create chances and we have several players capable of scoring if you look at the likes of Neil Roberts, Eifion Williams, Mike Proctor, Chris Llewellyn and Mark Jones.

"All five of them can get us goals but we need to achieve some balance in the team because it's not the side that scores the most goals that gets promotion, it's the side that concedes the fewest.

"So we will be looking to get it right at both ends of the pitch and if we concentrate on ourselves and our own performance I'm confident we will give a good account of ourselves tomorrow."

With Wales defender Steve Evans proving his fitness in a midweek reserve team match, the Dragons boss has an almost fully-fit squad to select from, with only Matt Crowell and Juan Ugarte undergoing treatment.

And midfielder Danny Williams said the improved strength in depth would be a major plus for the Dragons this season.

"The past couple of years have been tough in terms of numbers and picking up a few injuries or suspensions had a massive impact on us," he said.

"We are looking much healthier in that respect and everyone is aware that we have cover in almost every position, which makes for greater competition for places.

"But we will need to be strong because this division is getting tougher every year. Some big clubs have come down so it's not going to be easy to win promotion, but we will certainly be doing our best."

Williams, who is likely to anchor Wrexham's midfield this afternoon, said the pre-season preparations had been excellent and predicted that few other teams would match the Dragons for fitness.

"The statistics from last season prove that we struggled late on in games, because we didn't score many goals and we were conceding a few, but I'm feeling a lot fitter now than I was 12 months ago," he added

"We've worked hard on that aspect of things and it should well stand everyone in good stead as the season progresses.

"In the last couple of months of last season every game was a real battle for points and that's the attitude we need to take into every game we play from here on in."

Darlington, who finished in mid-table last season after flirting briefly with the play-off positions, have been busy during the summer and manager Dave Penney has signed 12 new players.

The new arrivals include ex-Swansea striker Pawel Abbott who passed a late fitness test to take his place in this afternoon's line-up.

Left-sided midfielder Chris Palmer, signed on loan from Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday, also makes his debut and it's a big day too for referee Karl Evans, from Manchester, who is taking charge of his first Football League match.

ROBERTS SAYS DRAGONS AREON QUALITY STREET
Darren Devine - Western Mail

SKIPPER Neil Roberts insists Wrexham have enough quality to mount a promotion challenge this season.

The Dragons start out at Darlington today and Roberts says they have both the personnel and the confidence to be among the front-runners and eradicate memories of last season's relegation woes.

"We've definitely got enough quality in the squad to challenge for the play-offs, but time will tell whether we've got enough compared to other teams," he said.

The 29-year-old striker believes the renewed sense of optimism around the club has a lot to do with Brian Carey's pre-season acquisitions.

Last season's loan signings, goalkeeper Anthony Williams and striker Michael Proctor, have made permanent switches to the Racecourse.

But Carey has also brought in defender Richard Hope from Shrewsbury, former Hartlepool striker Eifion Williams and ex-Rhyl midfielder Conall Murtagh.

Roberts said, "The big thing now is that there is a lot more confidence in each other. We've bonded well in pre-season and there's quite a lot of emphasis on the new lads who've come in.

"They've settled in well and performed in pre-season games and I think they'll give us the little bit extra that we were missing."

Roberts also believes his team-mates will be desperate to avoid any repeat of the prolonged agony of last season when relegation fears were only ended on the final day of the campaign.

"I don't think it's just because of the new lads that we're feeling more confident," he said.

"We're all another year older and we've had another year's experience.

"There are a number of factors - including that we've experienced something that we don't want to experience again - and that stands us in good stead."

But, despite his optimism, Roberts cautioned against setting targets given the precarious nature of their position last May.

"We'll judge the season by where we finish at the end, but I'm not setting any targets, you've just got to try and finish as high as possible," he said.

"The best thing we can do as a squad is to focus on every game, that's what the lads will be trying to do."

The Dragons' League Two promotion credentials will be given an early test by a much-changed Darlington side from the one that drew 1-1 with Wrexham in January.

Quakers boss Dave Penney has brought in 12 new faces in an attempt to ensure his team improve on last term's mid-table finish.

Roberts added, "It's vitally important that we start the season well, but it's going to be a really tough game as they're going to fancy themselves to be there or thereabouts.

"I don't think it matters too much who you play in our league because everybody is capable of beating everybody else.

"It's going to be quite an even contest and we just have to make sure we've got a bit more about ourselves to get the win."

The Dragons will be without long-term casualties Juan Ugarte (groin) and Matty Crowell (knee), but defender Steve Evans took part in a reserve-team win over Cymru Alliance outfit Buckley Town in midweek.

Darlington midfielders Martin Smith (knee) and Clark Keltie (hernia) will miss out but former Swansea striker Pawel Abbott is recovered from a calf problem.

GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO CHEER
Wrexham Evening Leader

LET'S do it for the supporters.

That is Brian Carey's message to his players as Wrexham begin their new League Two campaign at Darlington tomorrow (3pm).

Wrexham only avoided relegation last term with a final day victory against Boston, eventually finishing 19th and five points above the drop zone.

But optimism is high that Wrexham will not endure another season of under achievement and manager Carey wants to give the loyal fans something to cheer about.

"It is time for the real thing and everyone can't wait to get started," said Carey today. "We are working hard to get it right.

"We are hoping to give the supporters something to shout about and be proud of the team.

"If we play to our potential, there is no reason why the fans won't have bragging rights and be able to walk around with their heads held high. They deserve that for what they went through last season."

Although struggling Wrexham were involved in a relegation battle last season, the Reds won four of their last five games and ended the campaign as one of the form teams.

Wrexham picked up a healthy return of points in the final two months and that is something Carey wants to reproduce.

"I want us to pick up a certain amount of points every month. That is the target," said Carey.

"We had a great points tally in March and April and I want us to continue that. In a way we did not want the season to end - except for the obvious - and we need to keep that form going."

Carey has admitted that he has already made his mind up what his starting eleven will be at big spending Darlington, one of the favourites for promotion.

But he wants players not in the side - and those missing from the 18 man squad that leaves today for an overnight stay - to fight for their place.

"I know what 11 I want to play. I knew in pre-season what I was going to go with and am going to stick with that," said Carey.

"People will miss out - tough. But I have stated to the players not involved that it is a long season. I am glad to say they will be disappointed at not starting - some not even travelling - and I want them to get their heads down and work hard.

"We will have injuries and suspensions, and they will all have a part to play. You need a good squad and competition for places is rife."

Centre-back Steve Evans, who made his comeback in the 7-0 friendly win against Buckley on Wednesday following three weeks out with ankle ligament damage, is included in the squad.

"Steve got through 90 minutes, though he is a bit short of games. But he will travel," added Carey.

NEIL ROBERTS - WREXHAM MUST PERFORM
Rob Griffiths - Daily Post

ON THE eve of the new season Wrexham skipper Neil Roberts spelled out a stark warning to the whole of the squad: "We have to perform."

Manager Brian Carey has told his players already in pre-season that no one is guaranteed a place in his starting 11, and club captain Roberts believes that is exactly the right way to go.

"That's how it should be," he said. "If you're not performing then you shouldn't be in the team, simple as that.

"And not just in matches but how you do the work in mid-week, because the manager has a right to change the team to whatever.

"But it's also up to the lads who are not in the team to be pushing as hard as they can throughout the week to earn a place in the side on a Saturday.

"That will only help us to be successful."

Roberts spent a large part of last season consigned to the sidelines after injuring his ankle early in the campaign.

At the time Wrexham had made an excellent start to the season and were flying high in the League Two table, before an almighty drop saw them eventually battling to hold onto their Football League status on the final day of the campaign.

But having been so low in the table and on the verge of dropping out of the League altogether, Roberts believes they can use that experience as a deterrent to force them the better times.

He said: "It was obviously a bad experience last season and one we don't want to have again, and the only way to do that is to perform on the pitch and to get results.

"Merely talking about it isn't going to do it, we have to actually perform and get on with the job."

Wrexham start tomorrow away at Darlington and will be hoping to make just as good a start to the campaign as they did last season - but this time will want to sustain a challenge towards the top of the pile.

He said: "We go to Darlington on Saturday and we all know it is going to be a tough game, but it is important we come out of it with something.

"We know it is going to be a tough game, but I'm hoping they are saying exactly the same thing."

And Roberts believes the race towards the top of the table is going to be a very open one this campaign.

He added: "I think there could be up to 10 or 12 teams all pushing towards the top. You have got the likes of Peterborough and MK Dons as the teams people seem to be talking about, but I also think Stockport and Rochdale finished very well, have brought in some good players and will be up there.

"And of course there are some big clubs in Bradford, Rotherham and Brentford that have come down as well.

"I don't think there is going to be one team that runs away with it this season."

But while he believes it's going to be an open contest for the promotion slots and play-off positions, he would not be drawn into commenting on whether Wrexham would be one of the teams challenging.

"I've been asked that question a lot already in pre-season," said the captain, who returned to Wrexham from Doncaster last season.

"All I'm going to do is simply take every game as it comes."