Promotion season or a matter of staying up:
A lot of fans have been very (some might say over) confident over the summer especially after the signings of Chris Llewellyn and Chris Armstrong coming back home. I think some have forgotten that they will have to replace a partnership of Lee Trundle and Andy Morrell who between them almost scored 50 goals last season. Personally I am thinking that this will be a consolidation year as I am
not too confident of keeping many clean sheets (except for the one on Saturday!)
What was Wrexham’s pre season like:
Mixed. Beating West Brom was impressive but then we follow that up with a 3-1 defeat against third division Huddersfield. A week before in the Isle of Man we beat Blackpool then hammer Burnley 4-1 and then lose to Rushden and Diamonds 1-0 in the final without playing.
Star players:
Carlos Edwards – absolute class. Brilliant on the right wing as he can go past players, cross, shoot and defend. Also an international with Trinidad & Tobago. Chris Armstrong with his reputation should do well for us but I don’t think he is 100% match fit at the moment.
How many Wrexham fans will be travelling to Crewe:
Between 750-1,000. A lot are pissed off with Crewe because your fans get a discount for buying before the match but we don’t even though it is all ticket for us and we have to buy tickets before the day of the game. Answers on a post card please!
What’s the strong point in Wrexham’s team:
The attack as the defence looks fragile. The pace we now have up front under Denis Smith is in stark contrast to a couple of season ago.
What’s the weakest point:
The defence. Never look confident and always likely to make at least one mistake. Should tighten up when Steve Roberts returns from injury.
Interested in the Carling Cup:
I think any team the size of Crewe and Wrexham have to be. Saying that it is not our strongest competitions as I think we have been knocked out of the League cup in the first round in 8 of the last 10 seasons. It is something stupid like that. Last year was OK after we knocked out first division Bradford (hopefully a good omen!) and then played Everton. We did OK but then this striker called Wayne Rooney came on and scored two goals and made it look like a 3-0 rout when it was not.
As a former player will Dave Brammer get a good reception:
I think we will although he did have an altercation with some fans at the end of his time at Wrexham. Personally I think he deserved his move because that season he put his off field problems behind him and put in some good displays.
Know much about the Crewe team:
Except from Brammer and Clayton Ince (he was on trial at Wrexham) I do not know much about Crewe. We used to play each other in the mid nineties frequently but since then you have put in some good displays to win promotion and I haven’t scene Crewe play for along while. The only player I knew by name was Rob Hulse but I better not mention him too much!
Possible starting 11:
Same as Saturday except for injuries. Dibble in goal. Three at the back of Shaun Pejic, Brian Carey and Dennis Lawrence (he is 6’ 7”!). Midfield three will be Jim Whitley, Darren Ferguson and Steve Thomas with wing backs of Carlos and Paul Edwards. Up front I expect Chris Llewellyn and Chris Armstrong to pay again but Armstrong will probably be replaced midway through the second half by
Lee Jones (unless he is on a hat trick!).
Score Prediction:
I think it will be 2-2 at full time but too close to call at the end of extra time. Would not be surprised if penalties are required.
