Smith caution over County

Last updated : 09 August 2005 By Gary Fish

Wrexham boss Denis Smith has warned his players not to take nothing for granted against last season's League Two strugglers Notts County tonight.

Smith's Red Dragons, who earned an impressive 2-0 victory over much fancied Boston Utd on Saturday, are looking to continue their impressive start to the new campaign at Meadow Lane.

However, the Wrexham manager believes that the County side they will face tonight, will be much tougher than the side that finished disappointingly sixth bottom of League Two last season.

County have a new man in charge in the shape of Icelandic coach Gudjon Thordarson, who since joining has signed seven players.

Smith said: "What happened last season is not relevant at all now.

"They have different players and a different manager to the ones they had last season."

Smith, remains optimistic his side's season ahead, with Jon Walters, Lee McEvilly and Dave Bayliss all making impressive starts to their careers in north Wales.

Defender Lee Roche (who scored the goal that sealed victory for Wrexham on Saturday) and goalkeeper Michael Ingham also made solid starts to their Wrexham careers second time round, having both been impressive for the club during loan spells some years ago.

Smith added: "I was pleased with everybody because it was a good result with some good performances.

"All the new lads did well and nobody let themselves down.

"When that happens, it takes the pressure off them and gives the fans a chance to see what they can do.

"It also takes the pressure off me because people are always watching closely when you have brought in new players."

Despite losing key players like Carlos Edwards, Craig Morgan and Juan Ugarte in pre-season, Smith is optimistic that his new boys will gel quickly following a successful tour of Northern Ireland.

"I'm always optimistic, but after we went to Northern Ireland and had a good week there it made me think this team could gel together.

"Hopefully they can do that over the coming months."

Wrexham have a squad of just 18 professional players, although they can add a further two should they need to, however, Smith sees no need to rush out and sign players for the sake of it.

He continued: "Our position is different from anyone else that can have an open-ended squad.

"If I filled these two places and then got injuries in other positions I would have problems.

"If I bring in forwards but then my centre-halves get injured I will have problems, because I will not be able to bring anybody else in."

Wrexham travel to Meadow Lane tonight for their game with Notts County before another trip away on Saturday to face Northampton Town.