Hall - Wrexham on a roll
Published Date:
19 March 2008
PAUL HALL believes Wrexham have made other teams sit up and take notice of their survival intentions with their recent revival.
The much-travelled former Jamaican international arrived at Wrexham in January on loan from League One outfit Walsall with the Reds involved in a relegation dogfight for a second successive campaign.
Wrexham had only accumulated 15 points when Hall was drafted in with half of the season remaining, but the Reds have more than doubled that total and now have 32 points with 11 matches remaining.
And the 35-year-old striker believes Wrexham's current form – just two defeats in 11 outings – has given the Reds a fantastic chance of avoiding relegation.
"When I first came here, we were dead and buried in some people's eyes," said Hall today.
"But we have picked a fair few points to go with the 15 we had then, and we are chasing the other teams down.
"We have turned the situation around which has helped massively and we have got a great chance.
"It is no use harbouring thoughts of going down because we have done so well lately.
"If we were mid-table and been in the form we have been, we would be somewhere near the top. It has not been relegation form.
"We need to carry it on and turn those games in hand we have got on teams above us into points. If we can do that I don't think we will be worried.
"No-one wants to play us and our run-in is quite favourable."
Victory against Bury last weekend means basement side Wrexham are now four points away from safety, and just one point behind second from bottom Mansfield Town, with games in hand on their rivals.
But Mansfield and Macclesfield also picked up three points, and Hall said a number of teams will now be worried about a possible relegation battle because the bottom clubs are picking up results.
"Mansfield are looking over their shoulders at us but we are closing in on other teams too," said Hall.
"They don't want the bottom two winning so frequently, as they have been.
"The likes of Notts County will now be talking about having to win games, but the bottom two have been winning.
"We have gone on a decent enough run and we have to keep that run going. But the other teams at the bottom have also done well.
"You don't expect other teams down there to win when you do.
"If we can get a good amount of points over Easter, it will claw a few more teams back into it.
"The more teams drawn into it with the bottom few winning means it becomes anybody's."
Hall has made five league starts and two as a substitute for the Reds since recruited by manager Brian Little, his former boss at Tranmere Rovers.
The experienced striker's spell was interrupted by a hamstring injury, but Hall has returned to the starting line-up in recent matches and scored the opening goal in the 2-0 derby victory at Chester City, his first strike for the Reds.
And Hall said Wrexham's run-in – including home matches against fellow strugglers Macclesfield and Notts County – is eagerly anticipated.
"I am looking forward to the run-in and am glad the games are coming thick and fast," said Hall. "I am enjoying it here. They are a good set of lads and the fans have been great.
"I came back from injury and got on the scoresheet which was nice from my point of view because whatever club you play, you want to score goals."
Hall will be hoping Wrexham build on last weekend's 2-1 victory over Bury in their Easter double header at Brentford on Saturday and against Dagenham and Redbridge at The Racecourse on Monday.
"It was a very good win against Bury," added Hall. "We went out there needing to win and we got three points.
"It was one of those games where we dominated the first half, but then Bury had us with a sucker punch.
"It could have finished 1-1 but up popped Michael Proctor to score the winner. We showed character and came through well, so we go into these two games in good spirits."
- Wrexham reserves take on Morecambe tonight in a Pontin's League fixture at Buckley Town's Globe Way (7pm).
Midfielders Danny Williams and Mark Jones continue their comebacks from injury while a number of other first team squad members will also be in action.
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Last Updated:
19 March 2008 1:50 PM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Wrexham