Wrexham must back Smith - McNeil

Denis Smith has reached a crisis point, says McNeil

Former Wrexham manager Dixie McNeil says Denis Smith must be given time to turn the team's results around.

Smith is on his worst run since taking over at Wrexham five years ago, having lost eight of the last nine games.

But McNeil said: "They've got to stick with Denis Smith. They're having a really bad run, but he's proved himself as being a good manager over the years.

"That doesn't change overnight, but the pressure is on. They're four from bottom - you can't brush that aside."

Injuries have hit Wrexham's squad hard over recent weeks and Smith has been frustrated in his search for players in the loan market.

McNeil believes Wrexham need to sign "two experienced players" and has urged chairman Neville Dickens to back Smith with some money.

The chairman's got to back the manager if he wants to go out to get players Former Wrexham manager Dixie McNeil

"These are worrying times," McNeil added. "It's not just the fact that we're getting beat, it's the manner of the defeats and the number of goals we're conceding.

"That's the main concern and it needs to be changed as quickly as possible.

"They need two experienced players to come in. They would give everyone a lift - the fans included - and could be the start of getting some wins.

"Neville [Dickens] has said from day one he didn't want to stay at the club once he got it sorted and these are difficult times for him.

"But he is chairman of the football club at this moment and he's got to back the manager if he wants to go out to get players in.

"I'm sure he will do that, but whether they have the funds to get the players they want is another matter."