Little was brought in as manager at The Racecourse in November but was unable to prevent the Reds from being relegated to the Blue Square Premier League.

But he has the full backing of the club's owners who have given him a new two-year deal and the former Aston Villa and Leicester City boss is hoping to turn things around and bring success to Wrexham.

"I suppose I have got something to prove to people, and I have got my own pride," said Little. "It has been a very difficult period and not one I have enjoyed. I have never really had a losing spell like this.

"There are so many things I am changing around the place but if people want to judge me on this season then fine.

"I have to prove to people this is a job I can do. If there are doubters out there then I have to accept that.

"In most cases, people are supportive but you always have the odd few.

I have to accept some will say "not him." But I have been given this chance and it is up to me to show people I will get it right."

A total of 22 players – many of whom were loanees or on short term deals – have been told they have no future at The Racecourse.

But senior players such as club captain Neil Roberts and Wales international Chris Llewellyn have also been released as part of Little's rebuilding programme ahead of next season's first campaign outside the Football League for 87 years.

Just 11 players remain in contract, although new deals have been offered to full-back Carl Tremarco and winger Matty Done, while centre-back Steve Evans is mulling over his future.

And Little is hoping the influx of new arrivals – which may run into double figures – can lead to the Reds competing for promotion next term: "We know we need to sort a team that will be competitive in that division," he said.

"It would be foolish for anyone to think that the top teams will be easy. We would struggle at the moment.

"I can't win an argument if the team is not winning so I need a new team.

"That is something I am addressing because, post-administration, Wrexham should have had a better team.

"Someone was going to have the chance to rebuild here and I have as much experience as most people.

"My job is to do that next season, and what I do next season keeps me my job.

"I need time to rebuild. I am determined to make a fist of next season. and I just ask people to believe in us."

Little admits he was disappointed Wrexham failed to win their relegation battle and said the defensive errors which were rife throughout the campaign always made it an uphill battle.

"I always felt I had plenty of time to turn it around," he added. "But it was a hard job and I have never inherited a team before that has made so many mistakes.

"Some of the goals we have let in have been dreadful. It you struggle to keep clean sheets and give some of the goals away we have, you're always up against it."

n Wrexham have added two more games to their list of pre-season friendlies.

League One side Crewe Alex will be the visitors to The Racecourse on Tuesday, July 22 (7.30pm) while four days later, Wrexham head to Colwyn Bay's Llanelian Road for a 2pm kick off.

The pre-season matches kick off at home on Saturday, July 12 against Wolves while a trip to Stafford Rangers on August 2 completes the line-up.

Ask Brian

If you have a question for Brian Little email it to digitalnews@nwn.co.uk and we'll ask as many as we can during our next video interview with the Reds boss this Thursday.