BRYAN HUGHES has praised the Wrexham players for the way they have embraced his appointment as manager.

Hughes was last week unveiled as Reds boss, succeeding Graham Barrow who resigned, and he made a winning start in the Racecourse hotseat as his side beat Dagenham and Redbridge 1-0 on Saturday.

The third manager of the season after Barrow and Sam Ricketts, Hughes has taken charge of a Wrexham side in the promotion mix and the early part of his reign has been positive.

"It always helps when you get a win but it has been great," said Hughes, who will be hoping third placed Wrexham make it three wins in a row at Havant and Waterlooville this afternoon.

"The lads have been really positive, we have got a really good team spirit and they are buying into the things that I want from the team.

"I want a high work ethic, I want them to enjoy playing football and I want them to play with a freedom, and they are bringing that into training.

"I just need to transfer that onto a Saturday now, where we can create some sort of identity going forward.

"Where we are pleasing to the eye but we know each other's games and we know our best qualities, and how to get them out of each other on a Saturday."