TOM KEARNEY has warned his Wrexham team-mates what to expect at Stafford Rangers today – a punishing physical battle in which they’ll have to give 100%.
This afternoon’s clash at Marston Road is the final pre-season friendly before the Dragons’ Blue Square Premier campaign begins at home to Stevenage next Saturday.
But midfielder Kearney says the game will be more than just a last chance to impress manager Brian Little, as it will give the players a taste of what is to come in the gruelling world of non-league football.
The 26-year-old faced today’s opposition twice last season while playing for previous club Halifax in the Conference, the Yorkshire club held to a 0-0 draw at home after coming away from Staffordshire with a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
Stafford were eventually relegated and start the new campaign a division below Wrexham in the Blue Square North.
But Kearney warned the Dragons are still in for a fight if they want the victory that will provide the perfect boost ahead of their bid to get back into the Football League.
“It’s going to be a good test,” he said last night. “I played against Stafford last season and it’s a place where we’re going to have to go and match them in a physical battle.
“It’s going to give us an indication of what we can expect next week. It’s going to be a big test and a tough start but tomorrow’s game is all about what it’s going to be like in the Conference for Wrexham.
“It’s going to be physical and it’s important to give it 100%, not just in football terms but in terms of matching them in a physical battle.
“They’ll be up for it tomorrow and we’ve got to make sure we do all the right things to get the victory.”
Kearney has impressed many observers since arriving at the Racecourse in June, and the former Everton trainee – who also made 54 league appearances for Bradford City – says he is at the right club to eventually pursue a career in League Football again.
“I’m really pleased with how pre-season’s going,” he said. “There was never any hesitation once I got the call from Wrexham.
“This was the place I wanted to come – everybody is ambitious and nobody wants to stay in the Conference. There was never any doubt in my mind that it was the right choice.”
Kearney is expected to start today as Little narrows his squad down to those most likely to be involved when Stevenage visit next week.
But the midfielder is taking nothing for granted when it comes to who might be in the starting XI for the opening game of the season.
“The team tomorrow will give an idea of what the team the following Saturday might be,” he said. “The gaffer said it’s an 18-man squad and we’re not sure what the team is yet, but now we’re nearer the season it’s the best indication of who’ll be in the team.
“When you join a new club you try and improve yourself and try to stay fit, be involved in the games and take as many positives as you can.
“I’ll be going tomorrow and hoping to start, and we’ll be looking for a good performance to set us up as a team for next week.”
Little, meanwhile, says today’s match will be a chance to iron out any weaknesses before the visit of Stevenage.
The manager said: “We’ve set ourselves up to see what we can learn from our last game before the season starts.
“It’s not about scoring lots of goals, although we will try to win the game, for sure. We’ll look at everything we need to look at and see if there’s anything we need to iron out before the season starts.
“We’ve trimmed the squad down to 18 players, and the game is going to be an education for us.
“It’s not going to be an easy game for us – hopefully they’ll be no injuries and we’ll be looking to put in a decent performance. What happens during the game will tell us what we need to know and what we’ll get out of it.”
Left-back Neil Taylor has been left out of today’s squad after picking up a minor knock in last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to The New Saints, while centre-back Gaz Evans has resumed training following an ankle injury but misses out today.
