Dragons starting to plan for next season as campaign fizzles out
WREXHAM ........................ 0 TRANMERE ....................... 1
WREXHAM boss Dean Keates already planning for next season.
That’s after the Dragons were once again out-played and out-gunned in front of their own fans at the Racecourse, but losing to their cross-border rivals made it harder to bear.
They won’t be sorry to see the back of the current campaign.
Keates’ side remain 10th in the table and are also now mathematically out of the play-off picture.
“We shouldn’t be where we are in the table given the size of this football club,” he said. “We know what is the expectations are and what the fans want so, hopefully, we can put that in place next season and give them something to proud of.”
The visitors were barely stretched by the Dragons in a one-sided first half that should have ended more emphatically in their favour than by the single goal that was credited to unfortunate home defender Olly Marx after 10 minutes.
Wrexham were out early after the break to be soaked by a heavy shower, a hint perhaps of some harsh words in the dressing room, and there was an initial response when for the first time the visitors were pushed back into their own half.
But the home side’s storm abated almost as quickly as the rain.
Chris Dunn was forced into another fine save after James Norwood made space inside the box, and the keeper also denied Liam Ridehalgh before substitute Izale McLeod spurned a rare opportunity four minutes from time to give Wrexham a share of the spoils.
Admitting the Dragons can’t compete on the same financial terms as rivals like Tranmere or Forest Green Rovers, Keates added: “Points-wise the gap is massive and we need to be challenging. But there are some big budgets out there and they pay a lot of money. We have to do the best we can and that means bringing in a strong nucleus of players, getting a great team spirit and being organised. We can’t match some clubs money-wise but we have a big club and passionate support.”