Ready for fight

Wrexham skipper up for first-team return

By Richard Hope   Last updated: 27th February 2008

Richard Hope

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It seems quite a while since I last joined you, indeed this is the first time this year.

Obviously things on the pitch are of great concern to us and our fans at the moment. We cannot disguise the fact we are bottom of the Football League.

We have been on a very good run of form lately, albeit if our lack of goals hasn't really improved too much.

Our defeat against Peterborough was our first in a number of games, but again I was watching from the bench.

The situation has been somewhat awkward for myself, as after getting into some good form, I was sent off at Morecambe.

It was my first red card for nearly five years, I think, when I was sent off playing for York against Swansea after I had a bit of a thing with fellow Pro-Life blogger Lee Trundle!

I haven't played for the first team since my sending off, but in all fairness up until Tuesday the lads have not conceded at all and have done really well, so I cannot expect to walk straight back in.

We have a lot of games to come from now until the end of the season - almost over a quarter in the last two months I think it is - so I know it is a matter of when and not if I get back in.

I really am champing at the bit just to get back and play in the first-team.

Reserves

During the last few weeks I have kept up my fitness with the odd reserve team game and some of it has been an eye opener and if anything - it inspires me more to get back in the team.

I played for the second string against Accrington at NEWI Cefn Druids - an experience I won't forget for a while, but it is all part of being a footballer. You can't always play in the big games and you have to work hard no matter what, whether you're captain like me or a trainee just starting out!

That is the message I get over to everyone I play with and it does surprise some, but I know you can never just assume you have made it and stop working.

Back to things on the field, we have a huge clash this weekend, there is no getting away from how important the game with Mansfield is.

They are down there with us and although we remain very confident we will be staying up - we realise we really do not want to be losing the game on Saturday.

Having lost on Tuesday we will all be waiting to see what team the gaffer picks, obviously I will be hoping to get involved but the main thing is no matter what XI is picked, that we all stick together.

A number of the lads went through this sort of season last year, whilst I was involved in the play-offs, although I have been in this position before and know what it takes.

It is more than playing for your livelihood, which I don't think some people realise - although that is a huge issue for many people. But it is a matter of pride, nobody wants to go down and we will be giving our all to make sure that does not happen - as you would expect.