DEAN SAUNDERS today revealed that the Wrexham players will report for training on Christmas Day.
Wrexham, whose home match against Mansfield Town at the weekend was postponed because of a frozen pitch, return to action when Altrincham visit The Racecourse on Boxing Day.
And Saunders insists a training session has got to be held on Christmas Day to prepare for the clash with Altrincham, who knocked the Reds out of the FA Trophy in last Tuesday’s first round replay.
“Unfortunately it is just another day for us,” said Saunders. “We get time off in the summer, that is when we have a rest.
“I won’t be asking the players to relax, we have got a game the following day and it is three points we need to shoot us up the league.
“And last year we put in a tremendous performance at Barrow on Boxing Day and could have scored 17 goals.
“I never had Christmas Day off except when I was at Benfica and the season closed in Portugal.
“We are professional athletes and we will be preparing properly as if it is a World Cup match.
“The players have got to be focussed and we will be ready. Whether Altrincham will be I don’t know.”
Wrexham will face Altrincham for a fourth time in three weeks when they make the trip to Moss Lane on New Year’s Day.
That marks the transfer window reopening and Saunders is eager to address his side’s goalscoring problem by bolstering his strikeforce.
Saunders has been linked with Forest Green Rovers striker Andrew Mangan, whose five month suspension for betting on a match involving his team at the time Bury, ended at midnight.
Mangan, who scored 30 goals last season, is still registered by Forest Green who admit the frontman is attracting interest from other clubs, and Saunders said he is one of a number of players he is keeping tabs on.
“Andrew is one of a few players I am interested in but he is Forest Green’s player,” said Saunders.
“I have got a few irons in the fire. There are a few goalscorers in the league I am interested in.
“We have to work hard to try and persuade the players to come and sign.”
Wrexham have averaged less than a goal a game this season with striker Gareth Taylor leading the scoring charts with nine strikes in all competitions.
Fellow frontman Wes Baynes is the second highest scorer with four goals, while centre-back Mike Williams - who has netted twice - is the only other player to strike more than once.
And Saunders, who will be hoping to see strikers Marc Williams and Matty Wolfenden break their duck soon, stressed that players should have weighed in with more goals by now.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day. I have to keep adding bits to the team,” said Saunders.
“We have kept 14 clean sheets but I know we need to address the other end of the pitch.
“If we keep creating chances, the goals will come but I need to get more people on board who anticipate where balls are going. And not just strikers.
“We need more goals from midfielders and widemen too. Not enough people have got to five or six goals yet.”
Saunders is hoping his current crop of players, in all positions, can heed his advice and practice sessions that have been held by beginning to find the net more regularly.
“We need more goals,” said Saunders. “We can put training sessions on and advise people what areas to go in but if it was that easy, all strikers would be playing in the Premier League.
“It is having an eye for goal and we are missing a few people.
“We are definitely creating chances. We can improve on everything but the only thing I can see that is wrong is a man on the end of a pass. But it is not just strikers.
“Have we got the desire and technique to score, and brain to get into the box, and are we brave enough? These are all questions I have thrown to the players, but the biggest thing is anticipation.”
Wrexham take on Colwyn Bay in a behind closed doors practice match today and Saunders was keeping an open mind on who would play.
“I will see who needs a game,” added Saunders.