THE big freeze and a day off for his players did not prevent Wrexham manager Dean Saunders from putting in a 12-hour shift yesterday in what he described as a ‘relentless’ drive to improve the Blue Square Premier club.
Touted by the media as a contender for the managerial vacancy at one of his former clubs, Derby County, the Racecourse boss claimed the speculation was indicative of the progress the Dragons have made since he succeeded Brian Little less than three months ago.
“It just shows that we are doing well at the moment, but I have got plenty on my plate here at the moment,” said Saunders of his link to the Rams job, which was yesterday given to Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough.
Saunders spent part of his day in a meeting with club chairman Geoff Moss to discuss potential squad strengthening opportunities during the transfer window.
And when his plans to watch an evening match were cancelled by the postponement both of Liverpool’s reserve-team fixture with Sunderland and Burton league game against Torquay United, he stayed on at Colliers Park where Wrexham’s youngsters took on Welsh Premier League outfit Newtown on the all-weather pitch.
Today’s planned friendly at Crewe Alexandra has also been called off, but the Racecourse boss said the absence of match time was not an excuse for a dip in standards.
“I am constantly seeking improvements and trying to run the club on Premier League lines,” he added. “I am relentless about that side of the job and, while it’s a battle at times, those who cannot stand the pressure will have to go.
“When matches are called off there is a danger that players take their foot off the gas a bit, but we need everyone here fit and ready for the two games a week that will inevitably be coming up.
“It is difficult to be a good professional every day and while everyone can manage that for one day, when you ask people to do it day in and day out, some will cope and some won’t.
“Those who cannot do it will fall by the wayside because they are the people who will let you down and I would rather know about them on the training ground than in a match.”
On his proposed transfer activity in the days ahead, Saunders said: “I am being offered a lot of different players and we’ll be having a lot of trialists in, but we have got until the end of the month.
“We will look at their talent and what goes with it because I’m only interested in winners.
“The supporters here have had enough of players coming in and not producing and they want to see Wrexham players having a go every week.
“They might not play well every week, but if they are seen to be trying the fans will accept that and that’s why we need winners.”
The Dragons boss said he was keeping an open mind about potential targets, but confirmed he had kept in touch with Stoke City defender Ritchie De Laet, who had a successful loan spell at the Racecourse before Christmas.
“Ritchie has had a hernia operation and should be getting back into training about now,” he added. “He did very well for us, but it’s the time of year when players are trying to earn new contracts with their clubs.
“Some players will be told this month that they can start looking for other clubs ahead of the summer.
“Ritchie is a great lad, but there are other full-backs and players in all positions that are being pushed towards me at the moment.”
