GARETH TAYLOR is hoping Wrexham can replicate the achievements of his former club, Manchester City, who turned their fortunes around and went on to enjoy a successful second half of the season 11 years ago.
Former Wales international striker Taylor was in the City side that visited the Racecourse for a Division Two fixture on Boxing Day in the 1998-99 season, desperate to kick-start their floundering campaign.
More than 9,000 supporters saw Wrexham lose 1-0, a result that sparked City – struggling in the third level of the domestic league – off on an impressive unbeaten run, and they went on to win promotion via the play-offs.
And with current club Wrexham struggling for consistency and in the bottom half of the table with half of the season gone, Taylor believes the Reds are still capable of making a challenge for the Blue Square Premier play-offs.
“I said in October we needed to go on a run and I think we lost once in eight games,” said Taylor. “We have got to get a run going again.
“I looked at the table and Mansfield are 14 points ahead but if we get on a run and get points on the board in ten games, by the end of January or beginning of February you have got a great chance.
“I have seen it happen before.
“We did it at Manchester City. At Christmas time we were 14th and struggling but we had a great Christmas period.
“That win on Boxing Day against Wrexham set us off, we went 12 games unbeaten and eventually got into the play-offs, beating Gillingham in the final at Wembley to win promotion.
“If you keep banging points out, it just goes to show that it can ge done, but we have now got to start doing it.”
But Wrexham’s bid to start climbing the table over the festive period has again been hit by the weather.
Yesterday’s trip to Gateshead was postponed because of a frozen pitch at The International Stadium, the third consecutive match that Wrexham have had called off.
And it is particularly frustrating for Taylor who is eager to make his comeback from injury.
Having featured for the majority of the season, injury ruled Taylor out of Wrexham’s two FA Trophy games with Altrincham earlier this month – the last two matches the Reds have played.
Taylor’s comeback has been put on hold because of the weather but the 36-year-old is delighted with the amount of games played – and time spent on the pitch – prior to injury.
“I last played at York and initially had a hamstring injury. I had one last season and you just have to take a bit of care,” said Taylor.
“I was back after a few days and then I had an ankle problem. But if I had to pick two games to miss, I would rather it be the FA Trophy than the league.
“But it has gone well for me apart from that. I played 22 of the first 25 games and was on the bench for the other three in that time. And in terms of game time, I got 90 minutes in all of the 22 except when I came off at the end of the Luton game.
“I am pleased with that and feel good about it. I always knew there would be more games in the Conference.
“And there are other lads in the team who have played 20-odd games. If you continue that in the second half of the season, you can play 50-odd matches which is good.”
Taylor, who joined Wrexham from Doncaster Rovers in the summer, has already played more games this season than he did in the whole of the previous campaign for the Championship club.
Having playing the vast majority of Wrexham’s league games to date, Taylor praised manager Saunders for aiding his recuperation in between matches.
“I think at Doncaster last season I played roughly 15 games and was available for about three-quarters of the season,” added Taylor. “I just did not play through injury or wasn’t in favour.
“The gaffer has been great, he looks after me. He pulls me out of training if I have had a tough game. He is good with the older players like that.”