DEAN SAUNDERS today stressed the importance of Wrexham stringing together a sequence of victories as they attempt to make up ground on the teams above them.
Wrexham go into tonight’s clash against Rushden and Diamonds at Nene Park (7.45pm) boosted by a 1-0 victory over play-off chasing AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
The win enabled Wrexham to climb up to 16th position in the table, 16 points off a play-off spot, but the Reds have as many as five games in hand on some of the teams above them.
Saunders admits Wrexham – yet to win back to back league games this season – have a lot to do if they are going to secure a top-five berth. But with 23 matches remaining, Saunders knows that can he achieved if the Reds, who travel to Altrincham on Saturday, put together a run of victories.
“The main thing was to win on Saturday and if we get nine points this week it is game on,” he said.
“We need to string back-to-back wins together. The way we defended on Saturday was good, we have got to keep defending like that.
“If we can string four or five wins together on the trot at some stage it will be fantastic.
“We have given ourselves a lot of hard work to do but we can do it. The games are going to come thick and fast now.
“Rushden lost to Workington and then had the reaction of a good win on Saturday (4-1 against Barrow), but Wimbledon had a good win before they played us.
Sometimes it works in our favour.
“If we play like we can play then we won’t be frightened of anybody.”
Highflying York are currently the division’s form team after winning their last nine league matches and Saunders knows what is crucial to a team’s success: “York have more or less the same players they had last year but their strikers are banging them in,” he said. “Richard Brodie and Michael Rankine are causing havoc.
“Gareth Taylor is not an out-and-out prolific scorer but he makes goals as well for other players. At 29 he was playing in the Premiership, I just have to be careful with Gareth and use him sensibly so he does not get injured.”
Leading scorer Taylor took his tally for the season to ten with the only goal in Saturday’s win over Wimbledon.
Taylor was credited with the goal after his cross was adjudged to have crossed the goalline prior to keeper Seb Brown’s carrying the ball further into the net.
Taylor, hoping to overcome an ankle injury to take his place against Rushden, was partnered in attack by new signing Andy Mangan who was making his first appearance of the season after serving a five-month ban for breaching betting rules.
Mangan lasted nearly 70 minutes and Saunders knows the 23-year-old will need a few more games to get his match fitness back.
“It is not an ideal situation when you sign someone who has not played for six months, but that is why we got him,” said Saunders.
“We have taken a gamble but you can see Andy is enthusiastic, and a great character to have in the dressing room. It is not that we haven’t got that, Andy is a different dynamic.
“It is six games before you get match sharp but everyone is different.
“I was pleased to give Andy an hour, I did not give him longer in case he got injured when he tired.
“Obi Anoruo came on and he looked dangerous. Obi has come back a lot stronger for playing in the Welsh Premier League, he makes similar runs to Andy and he was a threat.”
Saunders was pleased with the win, although he acknowledged a second goal would have made it more comfortable.
“It was a good performance against Wimbledon. We just could not get the second goal,” he said. “Lamine Sakho scored and there was nothing wrong with his goal. I just think the referee did not give it because he thought he was wrong about the one before it.
“And the goalkeeper made a miraculous save from Gareth Taylor.
“It would have made it an easier afternoon if we had scored a second goal.”
Saturday’s clash with Wimbledon came 39 days after Wrexham’s previous outing, with eight successive matches postponed in that spell because of the wintry weather.
And Saunders was conscious of his players tiring because of their lack of activity: “It was important to get three points after not playing for so long,” he said. “I did not put a goalkeeper on the bench because I was worried about people’s legs.
“A lot of people have not played for so long, players like Christian Smith who last played against Swindon. Frank Sinclair, Andy Fleming and Gareth Taylor have all had injuries and Andy Mangan has not played for six months.
“I was worried they would tire as Wimbledon have been playing regularly, but we battled well.”
Saunders has not ruled out bringing in a midfielder before the transfer window closes.
Anthony Barry did sign an 18 month deal but asked for his contract to be cancelled so he could join Conference North outfit Fleetwood Town.
Another former Chester City midfielder, James Owen, has been training with Wrexham so Saunders can assess the former Wales youth international.
“I let a couple of players go to sign Anthony, that is probably the most disappointing thing,” said Saunders.
“There were a couple that I had lined up but they were told that I had got someone else.
“James has left Chester and I said he could train with us so I could see how he looks. I have not made a decision on him yet.”