AS is so often the case, the festive period is crucial for Wrexham this year. The three games played could make all the difference to the Dragons chances of staying up.

The toughest challenge will come from Reading, who travel to the Racecourse on 29 December hoping to continue their excellent recent form - and extend their sequence of good results against the Dragons.

Wrexham have gone seven matches without a win against the Berkshire side, most recently losing 2-0 at the Majedski stadium in November.

The Royals are playing well, and Wrexham will have to pull out all the stops to get the three points they so desperately need.

The home fixture against Notts County on Boxing Day is more promising. A must-win game if ever there was one, County are struggling at the moment. Hopefully, the Dragons can put their recent poor form against the Nottingham outfit behind them. Wrexham have not beaten County since 1998.

On New Years Day, Wrexham travel to Bury - a side over which they have a superb recent record having won four of the last five clashes.

Denis Smith will be looking for a win at Gigg Lane.

So what can we hope for from the three games? At least six points must be Smith's target. Any less and the club will be in serious trouble going into 2002.

26 December 15.00 Notts County (Home)

29 December 15.00 Reading (Home)

1 January 15.00 Bury (Away)