Pejic is ready for Dragons challenge
WREXHAM boss Brian Carey has warned his players they must perform next season now that he has greater options within his squad.
The Racecourse manager’s hand was further strengthened by the re-signing of Shaun Pejic.
The centre-back has ended speculation over his future with the Dragons by putting pen to paper on a new two-year deal.
And boss Carey, who this summer has already completed the capture of Anthony Williams, Michael Proctor, Eifion Williams, Connal Murtagh and Richard Hope, is delighted to have further increased his options for the coming campaign with Pejic’s signature.
He said: “We’re very pleased he has re-signed for us. We are building a good team for the coming season and we are delighted to have Shaun back.
“We have got competition for places all over the field. That’s what you want as a manager, a big squad and it just gives us another option.
“Maybe last season when someone was struggling with a slight injury, or a lack of form we had to persist with them, but this season we have different options and it means everyone has to perform.”
“Shaun did well last season and he has been with the club for a long time and like I said we are delighted he has re-signed.”
Pejic, son of club physio and former player Mel Pejic, joined the Dragons in 1999.
Last season the 24-year-old formed a promising partnership in defence with former TNS centre-back Steve Evans – who has now gone on to earn international recognition with John Toshack’s Wales – and only injury kept the Hereford-born youngster from adding to his 33 appearances during the campaign.
“It was a struggle at times last year,” Pejic said.
“Happily though we came through a difficult season and now I really do feel that things will get better.
“We showed in the last few games that we can play and it is important that we carry on with that improvement.”
Pejic is fully aware that the new faces Carey has brought to the club mean there will be extra competition for a first-team berth, but he is ready for the challenge ahead and believes he can hold down his place on the team sheet.
“There have already been several important signings with Anthony Williams and Michael Proctor returning on a permanent basis, while Eifion Williams and Richard Hope have also joined us,” he added.
“As a defender, the addition of former Shrewsbury captain adds to the manager’s options and creates competition for places, which can only be good for the team.”
Carey will have his players in this week for light training as they begin their preparations for the new campaign.
Pejic added: “After coming back from a holiday in Egypt – even if I did suffer from a nasty bout of food poisoning during the first three days – I feel ready to go again and can’t wait to get back to training.
“Especially with games against Liverpool and Blackburn to open our pre-season campaign.”
