PREVIEW: Wrexham v Luton Town

The Red Dragons had came within 90 minutes of winning promotion back into the Football League last campaign, as they were defeated 2-0 by Newport County in the play-off final.

This term though, things have not gone to plan in the slightest as they were beaten 2-0 by surprise package Nuneaton Town on Saturday, their third successive 2-0 defeat, the first time they have lost three games in a row since the end of the 2008-09 season.

After beating Welling 2-1 at home on opening day, Andy Morrell’s side have taken just two points from 18, with two draws and four defeats, dropping them to 19th in the table and already 12 points behind leaders Cambridge United.

Speaking to local media, assistant boss Billy Barr admitted the pressure was on himself and player-boss Morrell.

He said: “Massive pressure. Football is a results industry and if you aren’t getting them then you know the repercussions that could be.

“But having said that, only a few months ago we were at Wembley in the play-off final.

“We are not the same team we were, there are a lot of changes, we seem to be having loads of bad luck, but off the back of that people get a chance and I don’t think people are taking it at the moment.”

The Red Dragons have moved to try to rectify their downfall this week, snapping up David Artell and midfielder Mark Carrington, who can also play at right back.

Carrington has made 100 appearances in the Football League for Crewe Alexandra, MK Dons and Bury, and he also had a brief spell playing for Hamilton in the Scottish Premier League.

He was released by Bury at the end of last term and joined Wrexham on trial during pre-season, playing in a couple of friendlies but was not offered anything by Morrell.

However, he has now signed non-contract terms and the 26-year-old is hoping to make the most of the opportunity as he said: “It is just non-contract, month to month and see where we go from there. It is not ideal, no-one wants to be month to month not knowing where they are, but it is games.

“People can look at you and I can try and impress here and hopefully secure something a bit more long term. That is what I am here to do.”

Meanwhile, Artell, 32, spent two months on loan at the Racecourse last season, and started the play-off final against Newport.

He has now penned a one-year deal after cancelling his contract with Northampton Town on the last day of the transfer window.

Artell said: “I enjoyed my time last year at Wrexham and I think they’ve got a chance of being promoted.

“I know the lads and I know Andy Morrell’s capabilities as a manager and I think they can be at the right end of the table come the end of the season.”

Transfer deadline day saw the Red Dragons lose teenage striker Bradley Reid, a Welsh U19 ninterionation to Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee thought to be around £200,000.

But the forward, not 18 until October, will rejoin Wrexham on loan for a month before starting his Molineux career.

Wrexham have tried bolster their forawrd line after losing last season’s top scorer Danny Wright to Forest Green Rovers, recently bringing in experienced striker Joe Anyinsah following his release by Bristol Rovers.

They also pounced to snap up forward Andy Bishop during the summer, while the vastly experienced Brett Ormerod always remains a goal threat.

Team news: Striker Joe Anyinsah is doubtful (hamstring) and skipper Dean Keates, who had toe surgery in the summer and is yet to play this season, is definitely out along with centre-back Mark Creighton (hamstring).

But defender Stephen Wright (hamstring) is back in training and should be available, midfielder Jay Harris will return after serving a three game ban and striker Rob Ogilby is also back from international duty with Wales under 21s.

New signing Artell, will be in the squad if Wrexham receive international clearance.

Hatters are without Anthony Charles (shoulder), Danny Fitzsimons (knee) and Jon Shaw (hernia).

Both Alex Lacey and Alex Lawless have travelled to Wales though after recovering from injury, while Solomon Taiwo is fit again too.

Top Skrill scorer - Red Dragons: Seven players on one. Hatters: Luke Guttridge (2).

Man in the middle: Darren Handley - has taken three Conference games so far this season, showing nine yellow cards.

Officiated 26 matches last season dishing out 93 yellows and five reds, including the 5-1 defeat for Luton at Gateshead and Hatters’ 2-1 win at Hyde.

Also in charge for four of Wrexham’s home games, overseeing two wins, one draw and one defeat for the Welsh side.

In charge: Andy Morrell - striker who enjoyed a fine playing career starting off at Newcastle Blue Star.

Then joined Wrexham, netting 34 league goals in the 2002-03 campaign, before moving to Coventry City and then Blackpool in August 2006.

From Bloomfield Road, Morrell signed for Bury in August 2008 and then returned to Wrexham in June 2010.

When Red Dragons boss Dean Saunders departed for Doncaster Rovers in September 2011, Morrell took over as caretaker player-manager, a position he has held ever since, signing a new two-year deal in April of last year.

View from the oppostion: Assistant Billy Barr - “I feel for our fans because they spend their money to come and watch us and we are not giving what we should at the moment, especially second half (against Nuneaton).

“I just ask them to turn up on Friday night against Luton Town, get behind us and see if between the lot of us we can change our fortunes a little bit.

“I am always optimistic. As bad as we were second half, I know we can be as good at home.”

Average home crowd: Wrexham: 4,450. Luton: 6,596.

One to watch: Andy Bishop. Striker who has always netted goals during his career despite going through a lean spell this campaign so far as he is yet to get off the mark.

Came close to joining Town under Paul Buckle, and despite scoring just six times last year, showed his capabilities in front of goal at the likes of Bury and York, where he was very highly regarded.

Friendly faces: Shaun Whalley - Town winger spent one season at Wrexham from June 2008 - June 2009, making 16 league appearances and scoring four times.

Had joined on a free from Accrington, before leaving Wales for pastures new in the summer.

We’ve got form: The Racecourse Ground has never been a happy hunting ground for Hatters.

Out of the 22 times they have visited they have only won on four occasions, drawing four and losing 14 matches.

In total, they’ve scored 16 goals, conceding 32, but on 10 occasions have failed to find the target.

Luton’s biggest win at Wrexham came fairly recently, when back on May 5, 2011, they enjoyed a 3-0 triumph in the Conference play-off semi-final first leg.

Alex Lawless put Town ahead on 16 minute from long range, before Claude Gnakpa hit the second on 28 minutes and Ed Asafu-Adjaye (35) completed a stunning first half display, with his only goal for Town.

Hatters heaviest defeat at Wrexham was a 3-0 Blue Square Bet Premier reverse in 2009 when Gareth Taylor put the hosts 2-0 up before the break, once from the penalty spot, and Mark Jones added a third late on

Last time out: Hatters were held to a goalless draw on their last trip to the Racecourse Ground in what was John Still’s fifth proper game in charge.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Steve McNulty, Jake Howells, Simon Ainge, Jake Goodman, Arnaud Mendy, David Martin, Jonathan Smith, Scott Rendell (Dan Walker 63), Alex Wall (Solomon Taiwo 63).

Subs not used: Dean Brill, Wayne Thomas, Jon Shaw.

Attendance: 3,907.

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