JUST over a month ago, 1,600 Wrexham fans made the trip to Notts County to cheer on their team after what had been an encouraging start to the season.

It was an amazing show of support from the Reds’ faithful on a Sunday afternoon for a game of non-league football and it was only right that The Leader produced a two-page spread applauding the devoted dedication shown by the travelling Red and White Army.

The performance on the pitch at Meadow Lane wasn’t good and that was probably why only 4,500 turned up at The Racecourse six days later to watch another disappointing display in a 1-1 draw at home to Barnet.

The Leader:

Under pressure: Reds boss Bryan Hughes

The alarm bells weren’t exactly ringing then but they are now after defeats at Hartlepool and at home to Stockport, coupled with another home draw at The Racecourse where only 3,800 watched Saturday’s abject display against Sutton United.

Even the Directors’ Box looked empty on a day when Wrexham supporters - 10 games into a season which again promised so much but has delivered so little - finally lost their patience and booed their beloved Reds off the pitch.

Directors John Mills and Spencer Harris watched that dismal display on Saturday and fans demanded to hear what the people who run Wrexham Football Club had to say on the matter.

Mills, whose column in the Wrexham matchday programme takes pride of place on page three, knows he has to keep the Reds supporters onside.

“No-one is more important in this than you and all of Wrexham AFC supporters,” he wrote.

“In the best and worst of times, your support is an essential part of what we are trying to achieve, and we have every chance to gain that precious promotion spot. So once again let’s be loud and proud. Together we can do this!”

The fans’ reaction has been more ‘loud’ than ‘proud’ as today’s Leader shows clearly that they do not think Bryan Hughes is the right man to turn things around at Wrexham.

Harris, who was at The Racecourse on Monday morning, refused to comment but the board sent out a 'stating-the-bleeding-obvious' statement that night giving Hughes the ‘dreaded vote of confidence.’

The statement will only rile Reds fans even more and it will only add to the pressure that Hughes is now experiencing.

By his own admission, Hughes is now working with the players he wants at the club but are the arrivals really any better than some of those who have left?

The form guide tells you not and so does the National League table where Wrexham are just two places and one point away from the drop zone.

Hughes, who became Wrexham’s first and only £1m player when he moved to Birmingham City from The Racecourse in 1997, is adamant he can turn things around and that he is the right man for the job. But it’s pretty obvious the majority of Wrexham fans don’t think he is.

The rookie manager, who arrived last February after both Sam Ricketts and Graham Barrow walked out on the Reds, led Wrexham to top spot in his first few weeks in charge.

But it’s been pretty much downhill all the way since losing at Leyton Orient in a top-of-the-table tussle at Brisbane Road on March 9 and then being beaten 1-0 at home by Eastleigh in a play-off eliminator.

Handed a three-year-contract, Hughes, whose only other previous managerial experience was at Scarborough Athletic four years ago, says he is as confident now as he was when he first walked into the club earlier this year.

But it’s pretty obvious the majority of Wrexham fans don’t think he is the man to rescue the Reds.

A victory at Aldershot Town on Saturday may change the mood but just how many Wrexham fans will be bothered to make that long trip will be a key indicator to show just how they feel.

Monday night's statement has only fuelled the fans' fire - and whoever thought those words were wise ones, needs to have a re-think.

The board are taking the fans' support for granted making statements like: "The players, staff and Bryan appreciate your support immensely and urge everyone to get behind the team in the coming matches more than ever, knowing that behind the scenes everything possible is being done to rectify our current situation."

From the reaction of fans in the last 48 hours, they don't agree with the board's stance.

But if Wrexham win at Aldershot and then at AFC Fylde next Tuesday, things might change.

But you get the feeling the damage has already been done.