SAM RUSSELL refuses to dwell on Saturday’s disappointing defeat and is looking for the ideal response when Wrexham face Tamworth at The Racecourse tonight (7.45pm).
Wrexham’s four game unbeaten run, which had produced ten points from a possible 12, came to an end at the weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 reversal at struggling Eastbourne Borough.
Defeat leaves Wrexham 13th in the table, 12 points behind AFC Wimbledon who occupy the final play-off berth, although the Reds have two games in hand.
But with 19 games remaining, goalkeeper Russell remains positive and is looking for Wrexham to add to their points tally with victory against Tamworth.
“We need to get the weekend game out of the way and a win today will sort of cover over that performance,” said Russell.
“For four games we had been performing really well and obviously with the points we had, went to Eastbourne with great confidence.
“But these things happen, it was probably just a bad day at the office. Hopefully we can put that behind us and get a win tonight.”
Russell added: “There is a lot to look forward and a lot of points to play for. At the moment it is just points, points, points.
"We need to get points on the board, even if we have to grind out results like we showed we can do against Mansfield.
“The lads have had to play so many games recently, and with the break we had which has given us fresher legs, we have showed we can put three or four good performances together. We just need to carry it on.”
Poor defending contributed to defeat at Eastbourne, with the second goal conceded when Russell’s clearance was charged down and the loose ball put into the empty net.
But Russell, who had only conceded two goals in the previous four matches, said that was now in the past: “There is no point in dwelling on it now,” he said. “It was a short backpass, the lad has closed it down and it could have gone anywhere.
Luckily for them it has gone straight in front of the goal and he has tapped it in.
Hopefully it won’t happen again.
“Both goals were poor ones to concede.
“It was really disappointing after the way we had defended for the last four games.
“It was just one of those things, we have got another game tonight and a win will scrub that out.
“I just try to keep clean sheets as much as I can and if you do that, you have got a chance to win the game.”
Russell, who dislocated an elbow in the defeat against Kettering on August 22, lost his place to Chris Maxwell but earned a recall for Wrexham’s two FA Trophy ties with Altrincham back in December.
And after a lengthy weather-enforced break, Russell has been selected ahead of Maxwell for Wrexham’s first five matches of 2010.
But like all players, Russell knows he needs to perform well to ensure he keeps his place in the team.
“Chris has shown what he can do,” said Russell.
“Obviously he was really disappointed to be left out of the team but that is football.
“I have tried to push him all the way and I just worked really hard since I got injured.
“Luckily enough, the gaffer has gone with my experience to try and help us push up the table, and hopefully we can.
“Chris, the good lad he is, will push me all the way and that is what I need.
“There are so many games coming up the next few months and people are going to be in and out.
“People have got to keep hold of their shirt and obviously put the performances in.”
Wrexham recorded a 2-1 victory against Mansfield Town in their last Racecourse outing on Tuesday.
Andy Mangan – who popped up with the winner – will be looking to add to the two goals he has scored since joining from Forest Green Rovers in January, but
Russell insists there is no added pressure on the striker: “We want him to score the goals and all that but he is a workhorse.
"He works for the team and as far as I am concerned there is no pressure on him,”added Russell.