Ward: We have got relegation rivals worried

Mar 23 2008 by Chris Wathan, Wales On Sunday

GAVIN WARD insists Wrexham can force several more sides to look over their shoulders – as long as they keep looking after themselves.

The Dragons are still struggling to claw their way out of the bottom two, despite an upturn in form and an increase in points.

But Ward knows Wrexham’s signs of a revival has dragged many more sides into trouble and added a few more names to those worried over the drop.

And as far as Ward is concerned, the more the merrier.

“It’s been tough because we have been picking up some important points lately, but haven’t seemed to have moved anywhere,” said Ward, one of few Wrexham players who have not lost more games than they have won this year.

“But what has happened is that we’ve brought a lot more sides into this scrap. A lot of sides above us are looking a bit more nervous at the moment because they’re getting sucked in and that’s great for us.

“The last time I looked it’s going to be something like two from six.

“During this time it has been just important that we’ve stayed in touch and slowly picked up the points so that we’re in with just as much as chance as anyone.

“And, if other teams start to get nervous, all we will do is worry about ourselves because we know we have enough to get away sooner or later.

“And the next two games could give us a real chance of starting that now.”

The 37-year-old has made an impact since his arrival from local rivals Chester, becoming a firm favourite with Racecourse regulars for his shot-stopping heroics against his former side.

At his 16th club, Ward is one of several experienced campaigners brought in by boss Brian Little to try to boost survival hopes.

And Ward knows the old guard can play their part to help the club’s youngsters forge a brighter future.

“I think Brian wanted a bit more experience in the squad because it was quite a young team,” he said. “There are some good players but when you’re young you can get stuck in a bit of a rut when things don’t go your way or you can take things too much to heart if you’ve made a mistake or something.

“Brian brought a few older lads in to try to balance that but you can see there is massive potential for some of the players and the club as a whole.

“They could really kick on, but we know it’s useless saying that unless we stay in the league and give everyone a chance for that future.”