Sam Smith may not have got on the scoresheet on his Wrexham debut, but the striker had a great day regardless, and wants much more of the same.
After an incredibly slow transfer window, Wrexham finally got a couple more signings confirmed just in time for this weekend’s game against Crawley Town.
Sam Smith was one of those names — along with the experienced Jay Rodriguez — and both were given the chance to show what they can do immediately, with Phil Parkinson handing them the start this weekend.
Fans are happy with the new signings after seeing them in action against Crawley, but Smith insists he and his teammates have a lot more to do.
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Sam Smith loved being thrown into the deep end for Wrexham
Speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel after the win, Smith reflected on what has been a hectic first few days at Wrexham, and what it meant to him to get off to a good start.
He said: “I’m delighted. Obviously we were trying to control the game at 1-0, we scored an early goal and tried to ride it out. Then they scored an unreal goal. But credit to Elliot Lee, he’s scored the winner; we have a big squad and we need it, we have so much talent here.
“It’s obviously difficult coming in like this, needing to build relationships and learning a new style of play. With how quick the turnaround has been, it’s been a whirlwind, but I’m delighted to be here, delighted to start and I just tried to put a shift in.”
Smith is clearly happy to be part of the Wrexham squad, and loved seeing the team grab the late win on Saturday. But, he insists this has to be the start of a strong run in the coming weeks.
“It’s an honour to be here and be part of the project,” Smith added. “As soon as I got here, the game was so quick all the focus was on that. We got the three points, that’s the main thing, It wasn’t pretty but we got the job done.”
“It’s definitely the best feeling winning like that. Everyone; the fans, the staff, the players, you could see what it meant,” he said. “We have to build on that now.”
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How much of a difference can Sam Smith make at Wrexham?
While on paper it may not seem like Smith had the most exciting of debuts for Wrexham, his work rate, movement, and creative thinking were a breath of fresh air in the Red Dragons’ attack.
The 26-year-old managed just one shot on target and 26 touches, but it was a promising start on the whole, and things will only get better for the new boy as he settles into the team.
| Statistics | Sam Smith vs Crawley Town |
|---|---|
| Minutes | 77 |
| Shots on target | 1 |
| Touches | 26 |
| Duel success | 44% |
| Pass success | 47% |
| Offsides | 1 |
There will be winners and losers from Smith’s arrival, but the club as a whole will surely benefit. Wrexham have bagged a proven goalscorer, whose best years are still on the way, and who offers something different to the other strikers in Parkinson’s roster.
Wrexham were looking for a new forward to fire them to promotion. Smith could and should be that man.