Holt Believes Wrexham Can Go Back Up

Wrexham wing-back Andy Holt, is confident the Dragons can bounce back next season and win promotion to League One.

The outstanding wing-back, who scored seven times in his first season at the Racecourse, said relegation lessened the importance of his personal achievement, but as one of few players with a contract beyond this summer, he is determined to at least see out his contract with the north Wales side and help them return to League One.

Holt, who collected the Wrexham Offical Supporters Association Player of the Year award on Saturday, said:

"It's nice to win the player of the year. I've worked as hard as I can this season but, unfortunately, relegation has put a bit of a downer on things.

"I've probably won the award because I've played so many games, but I've scored a few goals as well and I hope to carry that on next season.

"Hopefully the club will be sorted out in the summer and we can bounce straight back.

"I'm very happy to stay on and I want to help get the club back to this division where we belong. I feel we are too good to go down but it's our home form that has let us down a bit this season."

Looking ahead to Wednesday's FAW Premier Cup final against newly-promoted Swansea at the Vetch Field, Holt said league form would not come into it.

"It's a big game but it's a one-off," he added.

"Swansea wil be on a high and we'll have to get at them from the off. But maybe it will suit us down there, given the way we've been playing away from home in recent games."

But Wrexham boss Denis Smith will want to see an improvement in his players following Saturday's home defeat by Huddersfield Town.

"If we play at Swansea like we did in the first half today, we'll get beaten, no ifs or buts," he said.

"We played as badly as we've played for a long time and some of the players looked as though they were already fixed up elsewhere. I was just glad to get to half time at 1-0 so I could say a few words.

"In the second half we had a bit of a go but, compared with how we've been playing, it was very poor fare for the fans. I know these lads have got relegated through no fault of their own and there are a lot of mitigating circumstances but people pay their money and expect them to perform.

"If players are feeling down and believe they can't do that they should knock on my door and tell me so I can put someone else in the team. I expect players to go out there and earn their keep. "I need winners, not nearly-men, and if we had performed like that all season we would have deserved to be relegated.

"On Wednesday we are playing in a cup final and it's a game they should want to win. Swansea will be flying so now we're looking at character, at those who have got something about them to see what they can do.

"If these players can't stand the pressure they should go and do something else.