Deep breath. Here we go.

THE WREXHAM ANGLE

Okay, so the equation is simple. Win, and we’re champions. Draw, and we win the league if we beat Swansea in the final game of the season (a draw against The Swans might do, but only if Cardiff don’t beat TNS, which isn’t a possibility).

After Wednesday’s show in Tonypandy, we’ve certainly got the momentum behind us. Jenny Sugarman’s side has maintained its form superbly throughout the season thanks to a skilful use of squad depth. Faye Knox’s stellar performance – voted the stand-out among a plethora of deserving players by the #AskWxm patreons – came after being left on the bench for last weekend’s derby with TNS. Admittedly, she came on and scored a miraculous winner, but the fact that we were able to rest her tells you all you need to know about how we’ve managed our resources. So, do we keep doing that, or go all in for one final push, meaning a party of a dead rubber is all that stands between us and a well earned Summer break?

The logical part of my brain says “same again, please!” However, this team has been pushed hard in recent weeks through a terrifically intense run of fixtures. Admittedly, Cardiff had the same experience, but they didn’t have to play midweek, did they? It’s a situation which is bound to be judged with the advantage of hindsight: if we get the result we need, then building momentum by battering Swansea will be seen as a key factor. If we don’t, we’ll be asking about the fairness of scheduling a midweek match straight before what was obviously going to be, at the very least, a game with huge consequences for the title. Once more, you have to look at the administration of Welsh domestic football and ask serious questions. Imagine the furore if the Premier League did this to Manchester City before playing Arsenal!

For what it’s worth, I don’t think we are seeing overt bias, but it speaks to a collosal lack of care for detail that the league allows one side to have what seems to be the advantage of a free midweek before a decisive match. We’ve been on the wrong side of this before, of course, with the game I dubbed “The Miracle of Swansea” rounding off Phase One of last season in incredible manner. I’ll have to think of something bigger than a miracle to describe last Wednesday, won’t I?  

So, rotation must come into Jenny Sugarman’s thoughts. Does Liv Fuller have another start in her legs? The evidence of her return from injury when she arrived at Wrexham suggests she probably will. The nature of Wednesday’s game meant we were able to get Fuller off the pitch without fear of opening the door to a fightback which was handy! I’m sure an hour was the target for Fuller: sometimes those plans can be compromised by the match state, although I don’t think Wrexham’s coaching team are the type to jeopardise a player’s recovery to close out a result.

As it was, we were also able to get Lili Jones and Ava Suckley off the pitch with 12 minutes left.

Hannah Snape coming on at the end seemed a significant reintroduction to first team action. While Josie Smith did well on the left, that wingback position is the one which Mikayla Wildgoose’s injury has exposed. There’s nothing wrong with Smith’s ability to play out there – she was as reliably excellent as ever on Wednesday – but it does interrupt her excellent central midfield partnership with Lili Jones. Luckily, we have players of the calibre of Fuller and Nat Clark to step in, but when Knox had to drop a bit deeper to accommodate the changes it showed that we are a little short after Wildgoose’s injury if we change both central midfield positions – and Fuller and Jones, of course, have both had to contend with recent injuries. We had to do the same with Knox in the Adran Trophy Final, and she started in the double pivot in the Welsh Cup Semi-final, which we lost to Cardiff. Of course, she is perfectly capable of bossing a game from there, but her sumptuous creative and shooting quality means we surely want her to operate as the left ten?

Known injuries: Mikayla Wildgoose,Keren Allen, Evie Holt, Mari Gibbard

LAST TIME WE MET

THE VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE

There wasn’t much optimism knocking around in Cardiff after our emphatic 3-1 win at the Cardiff City Stadium. However, their response to that loss has been impressive.

Most importantly, they bounced straight back with a Welsh Cup semi-final win against us which showcased their remarkable resilience. Not only had they been utterly outplayed, but they were without their best player and the same was true of their back-to-back derby wins over Swansea, neither of which Shannon Evans started.

However, she was able to come off the bench last Sunday for their second 2-1 win over the Swans and will surely start at the back at the SToK Cae Ras.

The other question in terms of selection revolves around the whereabouts of Mikayla Cook last Sunday. The wide striker has been in scintillating form lately, but was absent from the squad last weekend. One of the great drawbacks of the Adran Premier is the lack of coverage, and trying to work out if she was injured, suspended or rested has proven beyond me. It’s hard to believe City would leave her out with the Swansea and Wrexham games likely to decide the destiny of their title challenge.

Iain Darbyshire told his club media that his team are ready for the challenge:

“Preparations are going well. We’ve had some difficult games recently with two derby wins over Swansea City. The girls were fantastic in those games. This week, it’s about fine-tuning little details. We have an idea of how Wrexham will play and are clear in the way that we want to play. The aim is to recharge, ensure everyone is physically and mentally ready, then add details to our gameplan throughout the week.

“One of the biggest things for me when I came in was that we want to drive an improvement in the standard of the league. Other clubs have come on board and have strengthened. There are fantastic clubs in the league and it’s full of talented players. What you’re seeing now is tight, competitive games that fans want to see. For us to have the opportunity that we have on Sunday, it’s a sign of how far this league has come, it’s a massive experience for the players and it’ll be a day that I’ll cherish. What an occasion it’s set to be and that’s what everyone wants.

“We want to showcase the talent that we have. It’s clear that Wrexham have a big reach but we also have a fantastic fanbase. If we can lean on that and produce a performance for them and neutrals as well, it’s occasions like this that the league can build on with every year. It’s key that every team remains competitive and we have these kind of fixtures regularly. There is so much right about the Adran Premier at the moment and I’m excited to see that being carried forward.”

They also spoke to Lisa Owen, who was equally up for it!

“We are all buzzing for Sunday. It’s a massive game and potentially a league decider so everyone is more than up for the challenge. As a team, we thrive on these big occasions and can’t wait to get out there on Sunday.

“Wrexham have really stepped up this season and pushed us all the way in every game. They compete and battle with us for 90 minutes plus and I think that’s shown in all games we have played which has made every game competitive. We’re expecting another tough game and are all really looking forward to it.

“The fans are so important to us and play a massive role. We are grateful for every single one of them, they really give us that extra boost and motivation. Hopefully, we can put in a strong performance on Sunday that can make them proud.”

City’s squad isn’t as deep as ours. Last Sunday they had 16-year old Elexis Lowe on the bench, who has yet to make her league debut. Her only first team experience was as a half time substitute against Flint in the Adran Trophy last November, when City were already 5-0 up. It certainly brings home her youth when you consider that she was playing in an Under-14s league last season!

Alongside her on Sunday was Lily Nicholls. The Wales Under-17 international has more first team experience, but she boasts two starts – against Pontypridd in the league and Trefelin in the cup – among her six senior appearances, although she has managed three assists in that time, two of which were in Phase One of the Adran Premier.

Known injuries: Helen Evans

OTHER FIXTURES

Swansea City v TNS

There’s nothing riding on this except Swansea’s continuation of their remarkable record this season: they’ve won every game this season against teams who aren’t Wrexham or Cardiff, but lost every match against the top two!

Of course, Wednesday’s walloping will be on City’s minds: do they bounce back with determination or feel sorry for themselves? I suspect the former, and coming up against a side they put five goals past at Park Hall in the second round of Phase Two seems the perfect opportunity to regain some equilibrium before seeking revenge at The Rock next Sunday. Let’s hope there’s nothing riding on that game for either side, eh?