DANNY SONNER is adamant a brighter future lies ahead for Wrexham, but only if they can avoid relegation out of the Football League.
Northern Ireland international Sonner joined Brian Little’s squad on a month-to-month contract a fortnight ago and has been a big part of an upturn in the Dragons’ fortunes.
Sonner is one of 11 players brought in by Little during the January transfer window.
He has helped the basement outfit secure a shock win over League Two leaders MK Dons, as well as draws against play-off chasing Bradford and Morecambe.
And Sonner, 36, is confident that as long as Wrexham can stave off the drop this season they have the potential to be challenging for honours in the coming years.
“Wrexham have got a very bright future,” he said. “I think everyone can see that. They have got a lot of very good young players in the squad, but maybe it is just a couple of seasons too early for them.
“They have got a lot of talent in the squad, but maybe they haven’t got the experience to win games – and that at the end of the day is the be-all and end-all of football, winning games and picking up points.
“I think the club needed a few more older players who could come in and help them to win games and that is what the boss has been doing over the last month,” Sonner added.
“But there is no doubt that Wrexham will have a very good team there in a few years time, because of the talent in the youngsters they’ve got coming through.”
Sonner was on the scoresheet in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with high flying Morecambe at Christie Park, firing home from the penalty spot to cancel out Wayne Curtis’ early opener.
That was the first of two penalties scored by the Dragons as Wrexham stole a point, as Michael Proctor also slotted home from 12 yards after Neil Roberts had turned the ball into his own net soon after the break.
Sonner was forced off at half time with a niggling groin injury, but is hoping to be back in action to take on Darlington at the Racecourse this Saturday.
“We played Bradford last Saturday and I pulled it slightly then,” Sonner said. “It was quite sore last night, so I had to come off.
“But with a bit of rest I am hoping to be back for Saturday’s game.”
He added: “Morecambe was a tough game – we didn’t particularly play very well and it wasn’t a particularly good game either.
“But sometimes it’s going to be like that.
“What was important was that we picked up a point and we didn’t get beat either.
“Playing pretty football is great for the fans, but only if you are winning. Sometimes playing ugly, but getting results is the most important thing and we did that at Morecambe.”
Although both Wrexham’s strikes came from the spot, Sonner was quick to point out that it didn’t matter how they go in, or who scores, as long as the ball hits the back of the net.
He said: “It was nice to get a goal, but it doesn’t matter who scores as long as we do score.
“You are always expected to score penalties I suppose, but it was a relief to put it away.”
Sonner would more than likely have taken the penalty in the second half had he not been forced off at the break. However, Proctor wrestled the ball away from a couple of other would-be takers to assume responsibility, which just proves to Sonner the commitment of everyone in the team.
“Yeah, I did see a bit of a scramble for the ball after the penalty was given,” he laughed.
“But I think it just shows that there were a few players who wanted to take the responsibility, and that can only be a good thing.
“It shows that everyone is willing to stand up and be counted for the team and is willing to take responsibility in a difficult position.”
l WREXHAM reserves won 3-0 last night against a youthful Rochdale side.
Rob Duffy opened the scoring on three minutes, while Marc Williams made it two on the hour mark and Duffy added a second with 25 minutes remaining in a one-sided encounter.
