MATCHWATCH : Wrexham (a)

[Clyde1998]

Regarding our ground, the stand you're in is a permanent temporary measure - let me explain. Years ago when the kop was opened the away end was always behind the goal. When we played Boston at the end of 2006-07 season, a relegation battle decided who went down and who stayed up, we wanted to cram as many home fans in as possible. Cue a crowd of over 13k for it. When we got relegated, the kop stand was deemed unsafe and our rogue owners didn't want to spend money on it to re-open it, which meant the stand was left to rot. After years of years of being in non-league, and not having the funds to buy quality players to get us promoted, and very few away fans came (Histon brought a whopping 0 fans to our game once) , having a 2 sided home ground was not viable so the stand behind the goal became a home end.

Fast forward to now - we are waiting for everything to fall into place so our kop can get built. The end result will be the fans behind the goal will move to our new kop stand, thus giving the stand behind the goal back to away fans. Once that is complete, then the next phase i'd imagine will be the Yale stand (Wrexham Lager stand). Currently, the Yale stand is showing its age (been up since around '76) so that really does need a lot of tlc/potentially be upgraded.

I know future plans will have the dugouts moved to the other side of the ground - again that was meant to be done this close season but didn't).

At present, we are not allowed to serve alcohol to away fans as the kiosk is in view of the pitch. So you can blame the law/FA rules for that one. Oh, and last I heard was Wrexham Lager isn't even sold in the stand anywhere for home fans either, which is extremely odd!

I assumed improvements were being made at the ground. The stand opposite looks modern (late-90s/2000s?) and the temporary stand behind the goal (I'm guessing that's the Kop) would be next in line to be completed (obviously, being temporary); I was aware the Kop (as a terrace) had been closed on safety grounds, so having a temporary stand there is an improvement. I'm guessing from what you'd said, you've not got planning permission on its replacement yet; any idea how far along that is?

As you point out, it showing its age. You'd have to complete the Kop first before doing the Yale stand and you'd have to have a temporary measure with the changing rooms, etc. as that's all in that stand. That of course assuming you play at the Racecourse during that (I've seen Bristol Rovers may play a season away from their ground as they do redevelopment of their main stand, IIRC - talk is they'll play at Newport or Swindon if they have to temporarily move).

The biggest issue I had was seeing the far side of the pitch (image), so required a lot of manoeuvring when the ball went out there. All that really needs to be done in the short term is give fans a warning that the back few rows have a restricted view as long as this set up remains. All the other issues are tolerable if it's not meant to be a permanent situation.

I'm guessing the problems with the ground are also a factor of rising through the divisions fairly quickly and the attendances rising suddenly; the infrastructure takes a lot longer to upgrade than the team (especially when trying to get planning applications approved). Most teams in the National League or League Two and a lot in League One won't bring enough fans for the limitations of that away section to be an issue. If we hadn't sold out, I would've simply moved lower down to see better.

You seem to be in a situation where the owners are very aware of the limitations and problems with the ground in its current state, so it's something which should get improved. It's not a situation where something needs to be done at the ground and the owners are refusing to do anything despite being able to. See QPR for example: 2013 in the Premier League and 2018 in the Championship - at that point they shouldn't even be selling tickets in those seats (as those are insulting).

Have you got any idea how much the ground holds at the moment? Going into the season it seemed to have a capacity of 12,600, but the crowd was 13,322 yesterday.

[Mr Optimist]

Saturday was Wrexham’s highest league attendance in 44 years so they are definitely riding the crest of a wave at the moment and could easily sell more tickets if the ground had a bigger capacity.

What their ceiling would be in terms of support and league status, I would say they could ride the wave to the Premier League eventually, why not, we did it, it is amazing what momentum can achieve in football. In terms of support, I would say a 25,000 to 30,000 capacity stadium would be large enough even in the Premier League. I would say regular crowds of 20,000 home fans is possible if Wrexham reach the Championship especially with regular 3,000 away fans for some of the northern bigger clubs turning up, that are only an hour or so away. Realistically top end Championship with an occasional visit to the Premier Greed League is attainable but it will need the investment ball to keep rolling along with the feel good factor.

I’ve lived in North Wales for more than 25 years now and when Wrexham are doing well they draw support from all areas of North Wales including the towns along the coast like Colwyn Bay and Llandudno, so although Wrexham is not a massive town, population 70,000? They can get support from the wider region and are doing so at the moment. No reason why this wouldn’t continue to grow with a bigger capacity and higher league status.

It is great for the whole of North Wales and for Wrexham to be enjoying some good times, the long suffering core support that has stood with them through the crap of the last 20 years or so deserve it, but as an exiled Reading fan I just wish it had gone on pause for a weekend! Then you’ve got the Parky goodwill factor, so pleased for him too and long may it continue.

We are on our uppers at the moment, but have some really promising and talented youngsters coming through. Bindon looked like an experienced centre back for us which is crazy when he is only 19. We didn’t play well, partly because we weren’t allowed to by Wrexham, and they took their chances on the day, the great third goal just after half time killed it really, shit happens.

[Mr Optimist]

Forgot to say that as I haven’t got a Reading season ticket any more, I was in the temporary Kop stand behind the goal. What was the Fan Zone area? Do you have to pay extra to go in there and can you watch the game from it if you can’t get a seat? There are a few “day trippers” in that Kop stand from listening to some of the comments from people around me, but I guess fans don’t all start with 20 years history and it is allowing the younger next generation to actually attend games before the building works start.

It was fine on a sunny day in August but I would be less keen to freeze my nuts off midweek in the middle of a North Wales winter sat out there.

[Mr Angry]

Wrexham are going to be a challenger for - at the very least - a play off spot this season, so to lose away at a very good side is no disgrace.

[South Coast Royal]

We`ve now played 2 of the hardest away games we`re likely to have all season, next up is current leaders Stockport, then Bolton, then relegated Rotherham followed by Barnsley,
That fixture computer hasn`t done us too many favours, but hey we have to play them all sooner or later so best to get them out of the way now.

Stockport has been postponed

Have Charlton up next who I reckon may be a good shout for promotion at home

Gets a lot easier from mid Oct onwards on paper

So Stockport has been postponed presumably for a f***ing international break meaning now a Tuesday or Wednesday night away fixture up North.
I believe in rugby that club matches at the top level still carry on as usual with squad players making up the teams.

I realise that there is no appetite in our game for the old Saturday afternoon fixtures to be maintained but it used to be the case that international matches took place mainly in midweek however seemingly international managers need to have their squads for up to 10 days but I do wonder if that is really necessary.

Maybe I am biased as I much prefer club football over international stuff but with 3rd and 4th division games being cancelled because some of their players are needed for smaller international sides just feels too much.
I guess it is the price we pay in English football for having players from all over the world when historically they would have come just from the home countries.

On the other hand Selles will have time to work with all those new players who will have joined us by then.
BTW IIRC our record when we have had a 2 week break is not that special.

[Sutekh]

We`ve now played 2 of the hardest away games we`re likely to have all season, next up is current leaders Stockport, then Bolton, then relegated Rotherham followed by Barnsley,
That fixture computer hasn`t done us too many favours, but hey we have to play them all sooner or later so best to get them out of the way now.

Stockport has been postponed

Have Charlton up next who I reckon may be a good shout for promotion at home

Gets a lot easier from mid Oct onwards on paper

So Stockport has been postponed presumably for a f***ing international break meaning now a Tuesday or Wednesday night away fixture up North.
I believe in rugby that club matches at the top level still carry on as usual with squad players making up the teams.

I realise that there is no appetite in our game for the old Saturday afternoon fixtures to be maintained but it used to be the case that international matches took place mainly in midweek however seemingly international managers need to have their squads for up to 10 days but I do wonder if that is really necessary.

Maybe I am biased as I much prefer club football over international stuff but with 3rd and 4th division games being cancelled because some of their players are needed for smaller international sides just feels too much.
I guess it is the price we pay in English football for having players from all over the world when historically they would have come just from the home countries.

On the other hand Selles will have time to work with all those new players who will have joined us by then.
BTW IIRC our record when we have had a 2 week break is not that special.

Would agree, no reason clubs in the lower divisions can't utilise their squads to cover the missing players. Sky could then cream themselves over those games once a month instead of all the usual boring names and we'd still have proper football to watch rather than, if you're English, a load of utterly pointless dross masquerading as a competive qualifier.

I note Stockport has been called off before any squads are even announced, not sure how that can work!

[Hound]

Stockport has been postponed

Have Charlton up next who I reckon may be a good shout for promotion at home

Gets a lot easier from mid Oct onwards on paper

So Stockport has been postponed presumably for a f***ing international break meaning now a Tuesday or Wednesday night away fixture up North.
I believe in rugby that club matches at the top level still carry on as usual with squad players making up the teams.

I realise that there is no appetite in our game for the old Saturday afternoon fixtures to be maintained but it used to be the case that international matches took place mainly in midweek however seemingly international managers need to have their squads for up to 10 days but I do wonder if that is really necessary.

Maybe I am biased as I much prefer club football over international stuff but with 3rd and 4th division games being cancelled because some of their players are needed for smaller international sides just feels too much.
I guess it is the price we pay in English football for having players from all over the world when historically they would have come just from the home countries.

On the other hand Selles will have time to work with all those new players who will have joined us by then.
BTW IIRC our record when we have had a 2 week break is not that special.

Would agree, no reason clubs in the lower divisions can't utilise their squads to cover the missing players. Sky could then cream themselves over those games once a month instead of all the usual boring names and we'd still have proper football to watch rather than, if you're English, a load of utterly pointless dross masquerading as a competive qualifier.

I note Stockport has been called off before any squads are even announced, not sure how that can work!

Isn’t it us that would be knackered - ie losing Savage, Elliott, Bindon, Mbengue?

Will take the postponement tbh in our current state

[Snowflake Royal]

Stockport has been postponed

Have Charlton up next who I reckon may be a good shout for promotion at home

Gets a lot easier from mid Oct onwards on paper

So Stockport has been postponed presumably for a f***ing international break meaning now a Tuesday or Wednesday night away fixture up North.
I believe in rugby that club matches at the top level still carry on as usual with squad players making up the teams.

I realise that there is no appetite in our game for the old Saturday afternoon fixtures to be maintained but it used to be the case that international matches took place mainly in midweek however seemingly international managers need to have their squads for up to 10 days but I do wonder if that is really necessary.

Maybe I am biased as I much prefer club football over international stuff but with 3rd and 4th division games being cancelled because some of their players are needed for smaller international sides just feels too much.
I guess it is the price we pay in English football for having players from all over the world when historically they would have come just from the home countries.

On the other hand Selles will have time to work with all those new players who will have joined us by then.
BTW IIRC our record when we have had a 2 week break is not that special.

Would agree, no reason clubs in the lower divisions can't utilise their squads to cover the missing players. Sky could then cream themselves over those games once a month instead of all the usual boring names and we'd still have proper football to watch rather than, if you're English, a load of utterly pointless dross masquerading as a competive qualifier.

I note Stockport has been called off before any squads are even announced, not sure how that can work!

Clubs in the lower leagues have far thinner squads. With their key players really key.

Arguably, it should be the top clubs, with their enormous squads packed full of talent doing nothing, that have to carry on.

[RoyalBlue]

So Stockport has been postponed presumably for a f***ing international break meaning now a Tuesday or Wednesday night away fixture up North.
I believe in rugby that club matches at the top level still carry on as usual with squad players making up the teams.

I realise that there is no appetite in our game for the old Saturday afternoon fixtures to be maintained but it used to be the case that international matches took place mainly in midweek however seemingly international managers need to have their squads for up to 10 days but I do wonder if that is really necessary.

Maybe I am biased as I much prefer club football over international stuff but with 3rd and 4th division games being cancelled because some of their players are needed for smaller international sides just feels too much.
I guess it is the price we pay in English football for having players from all over the world when historically they would have come just from the home countries.

On the other hand Selles will have time to work with all those new players who will have joined us by then.
BTW IIRC our record when we have had a 2 week break is not that special.

Would agree, no reason clubs in the lower divisions can't utilise their squads to cover the missing players. Sky could then cream themselves over those games once a month instead of all the usual boring names and we'd still have proper football to watch rather than, if you're English, a load of utterly pointless dross masquerading as a competive qualifier.

I note Stockport has been called off before any squads are even announced, not sure how that can work!

Clubs in the lower leagues have far thinner squads. With their key players really key.

Arguably, it should be the top clubs, with their enormous squads packed full of talent doing nothing, that have to carry on.

Spot on, Once again the authorities appear to have got it A about T. But then money talks!

[ladida_gunner_graham]

The bloke in front of me last Saturday spent the entire game moaning about how sh*t Camara is and how he'll never do anything

The man in front of you has yet to be proved wrong. Camara's performances so far are not impressive.

[ladida_gunner_graham]

It's not helping that we don’t have a genuine fullback and we're pushing for a goal and getting picked off on the break.

Selles is doing something - not sure quite what but something - bringing one full back central. Happened on their second goal as well didn’t it - Dorsett nowhere to be seen on the flank

Yeah,I think he went into the game wanting to dominate midfield so got Craig and Dorsett to keep coming narrow to play ball. But between that, their lack of fullback experience and bugger all help from their wingers, plus it pushing Elliott and Savage up higher, its leaving us hideously exposed.

It's a bit like Gomes has taken charge.

I hope this wasn't the plan, because if it was, Selles is mental. They have two very good wingers and a 6'4" centre forward who is good in the air, so leaving the wingers to do as they please (which we did) was suicidal. I rather think it was just a poor game by Dorsett in particular. Badly out of position on several occasions, and just painfully slow to close down crosses. He can't be as lapse as that again.