DEAN SAUNDERS is desperate to see Wrexham return to action against Altrincham at Moss Lane on New Year’s Day.
Wrexham’s last three matches over the festive period have been postponed due to frozen pitches, meaning the Reds have not played a competitive fixture since the FA Trophy defeat at Altrincham on December 15.
With more wintry weather forecast this week, Wrexham are in danger of having a fourth consecutive match called off but Saunders is hoping Friday’s three o’clock clash at Altrincham is given the go-ahead.
“It has been very frustrating,” said Saunders. “I have never had three games on the trot called off before in my career.
“That is four games we have got in hand on some teams which is unbelievable.
“We always seem to have games in hand every year because of international call-ups but this has really been disrupting.
“I have never known it like this so I am keeping my fingers crossed Altrincham will be on.
“You get worked up for a game and then bang - it’s off again.
“I just want Friday’s game on. If you are not playing, you are not getting any points.”
The recent cold snap has also meant Wrexham have resorted to training on the astro turf pitch at Colliers Park.
And Saunders is disappointed that preparations for games are being continually hit by the weather.
“We are training on the astro turf which is not ideal, although we have had a chance to work on a few things,” said Saunders.
“A couple of the older boys are not so keen on training on astro turf because of old scars.
“But you train all week for a game. We have built things up and prepared a team three times. You get to the peak on match day and then we are back to training, and starting again.
“However, Marc Williams is injured and he is delighted because he has not missed a game!”
Due to their inactivity over the last fortnight, Wrexham have slipped to 17th position in the Blue Square Premier table.
Wrexham have games in hand on all the sides above them in the table, and have played four matches less than some teams.
With plenty of fixtures to rearrange, it means Wrexham face a gruelling schedule in the New Year but Saunders knows there are plenty of points to play for.
“The worrying part is fitting them in, and you are losing a bit of an advantage there,” said Saunders.
“You end up playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, playing one game after another, which gives you no advantage.
“But it also gives you a chance to get nine points in a week.”
The transfer window reopens next month and while Saunders expects some players to leave, he is looking to add to his squad and has made a bid for an unnamed striker.
But having seen Wrexham struggle in the first half of the season, Saunders wants his existing players to prove their worth.
“I am trying to improve the squad all the time and it creates competition for places,” added Saunders.
“A new signing lifts the place a bit, someone who is going to be effective for us.
“I will get calls for some of our players, some I don’t want to lose, but I have got to try and juggle things around.
“I don’t expect to do much. But we are not scoring enough right through the team, not just the front men, and I am trying to find a solution to that.
“If I see people who I think will make us better I will try and get them in, and my players know that.
“The players have got to step up and play to their best to stop me signing players.”