Wrexham, the best supported team in Vanarama National League football, have a burning desire to regain Football League status.
They top the attendance table with an average of 5,238 per match ahead of Leyton Orient (5,166) and Chesterfield (4,520).
The next home fixture for Wrexham is against Maidenhead next Saturday, but the Dragons are fully focused on their trip to play AFC Fylde this afternoon.
Manager Graham Barrow and his players have been talking and analysing this week after a run of four successive defeats to start 2019.
The Dragons have failed to score in that run and Barrow has been intent on firing up his team for the clash at Mill Farm.
Barrow was on the coaching staff at AFC Fylde last season and he knows the task facing his team.
“I expect a tough game, but we’ll have probably half the crowd there again and we’ve talked a lot and worked a lot this week,” said Barrow.
“The players had their own meeting. Those who were here last season were getting concerned it was going to drag on into how it went downhill then.
“It’s good for people to hear concerns and want to address the situation. There is only one way to do that – on a football pitch.
“We are still in a great position. There’s been talking, been hard work and now it’s time for action on the pitch.”
https://twitter.com/AFCFylde/status/1086250353027362817
Barrow admitted his frustration that Wrexham have been unable to kick on after Christmas, having moved to within two points of the league leaders with a game in hand following the win against Solihull on December 29.
Four defeats and no goals since mean Wrexham are fourth, four points off top.
A full week’s training has allowed new signings Jason Oswell, Kieran Kennedy and Cole Stockton to bed in and Barrow said: “It’s been good to have a full week on the training ground to have a good look at people.
“It helps make your mind up about certain things.
“It just seemed to be play, play, play over Christmas. There was no preparation time and if you look through the leagues – apart from Solskjaer at Manchester United – everybody seemed to have their problems.
“We accept that as being part of the reason, but I thought we should have kicked on really if I’m being honest.”
Dragons defenders Doug Tharme and Manny Smith are still out injured, while Kieran Kennedy is available to make his debut.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE TABLE – TOP 10
| POS | TEAM | PL | PTS |
| 1 | Leyton Orient | 29 | 57 |
| 2 | Salford City | 29 | 55 |
| 3 | Solihull Moors | 29 | 54 |
| 4 | Wrexham | 29 | 53 |
| 5 | AFC Fylde | 29 | 50 |
| 6 | Sutton United | 28 | 49 |
| 7 | Harrogate Town | 29 | 47 |
| 8 | Gateshead | 29 | 46 |
| 9 | Ebbsfleet United | 29 | 44 |
| 10 | Eastleigh | 29 | 43 |
The National League Attendance Table
1. Wrexham 5,238
2. Leyton Orient 5,166
3. Chesterfield 4,520
4. Hartlepool United 3,060
5. Salford City 2,549
6. Maidstone United 2,272
7. Sutton United 1,845
8. Aldershot Town 1,774
9. Eastleigh 1,734
10: Harrogate Town 1,709
11. AFC Fylde 1,637
12. FC Halifax Town 1,560
13. Dagenham & R 1,427
14. Maidenhead United 1,385
15. Ebbsfleet United 1,380
16. Bromley 1,343
17. Havant & Waterlooville 1,318
18. Barrow 1,308
19. Barnet 1,282
20. Dover Athletic 1,148
21. Solihull Moors 1,125
22. Gateshead 873
23. Boreham Wood 787
24. Braintree Town 732