WE WON'T BE SUCH A SOFT TOUCH THIS TIME, FERGUSON
Mark Currie - Daily Post

WREXHAM'S Neil Roberts has warned tomorrow's opponents Peterborough United that they will be facing a very different Dragons outfit compared with the previous meeting three months ago.

Darren Ferguson's League Two promotion hopefuls ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in November's FA Cup first round tie at London Road, where second half substitute Roberts scored what barely counted as a consolation goal.

The one-sided encounter proved to be Brian Carey's last in charge, with replacement Brian Little taking over as manager and ripping the playing squad apart to such an extent that only two London Road starters - Chris Llewellyn and Simon Spender - began last Saturday's league match with Darlington.

And Roberts, now leading Wrexham's battle against relegation from midfield, is confident the Dragons will give a better account of themselves this weekend.

"I'd like to think we will be a very different proposition on Saturday," he said. "The last time we were there I didn't think it was the case that Peterborough played particularly well, but that we were very, very poor.

"We didn't put up much of a fight and we caved in, to say nothing of the calamity that gifted them one of the goals, which was shown on that evening's Match of the Day."

Three months on, Roberts is feeling more confident thanks to the influx of new players and a four-match unbeaten run that has boosted spirits at the Racecourse. And he reckons former Wrexham favourite Ferguson and his assistant Kevin Russell will also have taken note of the recent improvement.

"A club like Wrexham should be going to Peterborough thinking we can win the game," added Roberts. "While it would be foolish to under-estimate them, I've got the feeling it will be a good competitive match on Saturday.

"Since we last met we have virtually a new team, which gives them the problem that Darren and Kev won't be as familiar with this group of players as they were with others.

"But they will have done their homework and they will have had us watched, so they will know what to expect. We've done well in recent weeks against the top clubs and we need to maintain our recent good run of results.

"This is the first of three tough away games that could in some way determine how the rest of the season goes for us."

And Roberts, who reckons Wrexham were good value for last Saturday's 2-0 victory against second-placed Darlington, added: "If I'm honest, Peterborough are one of two teams that I think deserve to be where they are in the table.

"The other one is Darlington who, though we beat them, look to me to be one of the better teams in this division."


KOUMAS URGED TO MAKE WALES AWAY-DAYS
Phil Blanche - Western Mail

CHRIS COLEMAN has told Jason Koumas he must play away from home if he wants to be labelled a great player for Wales.

Koumas sparkled with a two-goal show in Wednesday night's 3-0 friendly defeat of Norway at Wrexham, taking his international goals tally to nine from 26 appearances - eight of them coming in his last eight games.

But the Wigan playmaker has missed Wales' last six away matches, and has not played for his country outside the United Kingdom since a 1-0 defeat in Poland in September 2005.

"Who knows why he hasn't played in the last six away games?" said Coleman, the former Wales defender and ex-Fulham and Real Sociedad manager.

"But, if you play for your country, you play home and you play away.

"When you're capable of the level of performance he showed against Norway we need to see Jason away from home as well.

"He's such an important player for Wales these days - the one player who can win you a game."

Coleman hailed the rebuilding programme that Wales manager John Toshack has undertaken over the last three years.

Toshack has fast-tracked numerous youngsters into the senior set-up, while U21 boss Brian Flynn has guided his team to the top of their European Championship qualifying group.

"John knew when he took over the team was ageing a little bit and he lost a lot of experience and good players," said Coleman.

"He had to build for the future, but it takes courage for a manager to do what John did because he knows young players are going to make mistakes.

"But he's going to benefit in the long run and we've got a good crop of young players.

"We've got five friendlies and he needs to give those young players as much experience as he can before the World Cup qualifiers."

Germany, Russia and Finland all stand in Wales' way in trying to reach the finals in South Africa in 2010 - and Coleman admits that qualifying will be tough.

"We've got to finish as high as we can, that will give this young team a lot of confidence," he said.

"They're getting a lot of experience and that will stand them in good stead for the next time.

"These young players have shown no fear and that's very important when you make the step up.

"It could be a good time for Wales, it's coming into a good era and all we need is experience."


SIMON DAVIES EYES TOUR OF DUTY
Western Mail

Simon Davies would be happy to see his country stage big matches away from Cardiff's Millennium Stadium after last night's 3-0 victory over Norway at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

Even with a healthy 30,000 crowd in the capital's stadium, because of the 75,000 capacity, it still looks relatively empty.

There were just 8,000 watching last night in Wrexham and the place was rocking.

Wales are considering taking World Cup qualifiers out of Cardiff and have already planned an August friendly against Georgia in Swansea.

Wales stand-in skipper Davies said: "Everyone enjoys playing at Wrexham. It was a cold night, very wet, but we always seem to get good support in the north.

"They are vocal and get behind us. The manager has told us this that some of the qualifiers may be staged at places like Swansea and Wrexham to give us full houses and good atmosphere.

"Sometimes it is difficult at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff when it is not full. It can be a funny atmosphere, but we would love to play more games at places like Wrexham.

"If we can pack out a small ground, it will improve the atmosphere with Welsh fans right behind us. It was a worthwhile exercise."

Wales have not lost a game at Wrexham since 1999, and Davies was delighted with last night's performance.

He said: "I seem to be lucky for Wales when I'm captain, that's three games now and we are unbeaten. There's a feel-good factor in the squad. When we meet up, we are all having a good time.

"But we get the work done, and the overall team performance was excellent. We were really controlling the game towards the end and I have not seen us do that against good opposition for a long time. It's really exciting times now, I hope.

"But sometimes we get too far ahead of ourselves. We have to concentrate and learn, but if we can maintain a winning habit, we have every chance going into the qualifiers."

Davies was excited about the number of youngsters coming through, adding: "The lads all have ability, but the frustrating thing is that some of them are going back to their clubs and not getting games there.

"Hopefully, that will change and they can get good runs in their first teams, which will make it better for us when they join up for Wales."

Carl Fletcher, who has been out of favour at CrystalPalace for a month, scored his first international goal and relished the occasion.

He said: "It has taken me a long time to get my first international goal - after 27 caps it was a relief to see one go in.

"But I was more pleased with the result, it was an excellent performance all round. We were missing several of the first-choice players but against good opposition we did fine.

"Good results breed confidence, whatever level you play. We must maintain this now through the four friendlies we play in the build-up to the qualifiers when they start in September, and if we do that there will be plenty of belief."

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, winning his eighth cap, agreed: "It was an excellent win, Norway are a good side with plenty of Premier League players so we are delighted with the victory."


HARTSON BRINGS CAREER TO AN END
BBC Sport

Former Celtic and Arsenal striker John Hartson has announced his retirement after leaving West Brom last month.

The 32-year-old, who won 51 caps for Wales, revealed he had lost his desire and was struggling to keep fit.

He told the Scottish Sun: "I'm going to miss that competitive edge. That was my weekend, letting off steam and terrorising centre-halves.

"But I'm not going to miss training though. To be honest I'd lost my desire to get back into the West Brom side."

The striker who began his career at Luton and played at Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon, Coventry, Celtic and Norwich, said he was not prepared to end his playing career at a low level.

"They say you should go down the leagues and just play for enjoyment because it will be easier. It is not," Hartson added.

"I have been fighting my weight for 12 years. I can't have a burger without putting on half a stone."

West Brom released Hartson in January - six months before his contract was due to run out.

Hartson joined the Baggies in June 2006 but, despite scoring twice on his debut, he struggled with fitness and form.

He scored six goals in 24 appearances for Albion.

His retirement comes two years and one day since he ended his international career with Wales which saw him score 14 goals in 51 appearances.

Wales assistant coach and former team-mate Dean Saunders paid tribute to Hartson.

"John has been a good player for Wales over the years," said Saunders.

"He's scored a lot of goals at club level and considering he had a lot of injuries during his career, it's always sad to hear someone retiring.

"He's a good friend of mine. I hope the next thing he does is something positive and stays in football.

"It's an end of an era for John, but I'm sure he'll be remembered well by all of the fans."