Dean Keates is demanding his Wrexham players face up to the Vanarama National League challenges ahead.
The Dragons’ manager is frustrated and reacted after their 1-0 home defeat against AFC Fylde at the Racecourse, saying: “When players go to block, one or two turn their back which is something that needs addressing.”
Danny Philliskirk, the 28-year-old son of former Cardiff City striker Tony, scored the only goal of the game for Fylde and left Wrexham third from bottom.
They are facing clear and present danger of relegation and travel to play bottom club Ebbsfleet United in Kent on Saturday.
Wrexham have earned only one win in seven Vanarama National League matches since Keates took charge and he said: “The frustrating thing is Fylde’s goal came from our throw-in.
“We created a 2v1 and the ball forward wasn’t good enough. Then it was turned over.
▶️ WATCH | Manager Dean Keates after defeat to AFC Fylde.
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— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) November 27, 2019
“A lot has been said about tactical fouls. There were opportunities in the middle of the pitch and somebody had to bring him down, but we don’t do that.
“Credit to the lads, they got back goal-side, but there was not enough communication.
“Too many got behind into our 18-yard box, about five players, and the lad is left about 24 yards out.
“I am not questioning the effort. There is an expectation at the football club and that makes it hard.
“If players can’t deal with it, they will find themselves out of the team.
“The place is on eggshells, fans are frustrated. We are all frustrated.”
There were less than 3,000 spectators at the Racecourse and the Dragons were booed off at the end.
Keates is intent on bringing in more players even though he added three loan signings last week – former Swansea and Newport County player Tyler Reid, Kieran Kennedy and Omari Patrick.
“There will be phone calls made to try and bring in one or two new additions if we can,” said Keates.
“They have an opportunity to stake their claim to make sure they are involved the game after.”
Fylde midfield player Danny Philliskirk, whose dad played 61 league matches for the Bluebirds between 1995 and 1998, was given far too much room when he scored for Fylde on the half hour.
Now Wrexham face back-to-back away fixtures against Ebbsfleet and Eastleigh.
Manager Kevin Watson’s team were crushed 5-2 by Barnet and have earned only one win in 11 home league fixtures this season.
“I’ll take it on the chin if there’s a reaction on Saturday [v Wrexham],” Watson told BBC Radio Kent. “The result against Barnet was a kick up the backside.
“We need to bounce back immediately. It’s a reality check for all of us in terms of we’ve been doing well, but that, for me, was disappointing to say the least.
“I will expect a reaction whatever team I pick on Saturday.”
Ebbsfleet have conceded 46 goals in 23 league fixtures and Watson says: “We’ve conceded far too many goals. Yet again we scored two goals away and finished with nothing.
“It can’t happen. If we have to, we’ll stay out on the training ground until whatever time, working on defending, working on heading, tackling, picking people up from set pieces.”
The Reds returned to action against Fylde with Ben Tollitt and the injured Tyler Reid making way for James Jennings and new signing Omari Patrick.
Wrexham: (4-3-3): Lainton (gk), Jennings, Lawlor, Pearson (capt), Carrington, Young, Summerfield (Redmond 81), Wright (Harris 64), Rutherford (Tollitt 72), Grant, Patrick. Subs not used: Dibble (gk), Kennedy
AFC Fylde: (4-2-3-1): Hornby (gk), Duxbury (Jameson 80), Byrne (capt), Whitmore, Burke, Philliskirk, Croasdale, Bradley (Kosylo 87), Williams, Yeates, Rowe (Montrose 64). Subs not used: Lavercombe (GK), Haughton
Referee: Karl Evans (Lancs)
Attendance: 2,941 (away 44)
Vanarama National League Table
| # | Team | Pl | HW | HD | HL | AW | AD | AL | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | Pts |
| 1. | Barrow | 22 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 41 | 27 | 14 | 41 |
| 2. | Solihull Moors | 23 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 37 | 23 | 14 | 40 |
| 3. | Bromley | 23 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 40 | 29 | 11 | 40 |
| 4. | Woking | 23 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 35 | 29 | 6 | 38 |
| 5. | FC Halifax Town | 23 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 38 |
| 6. | Yeovil Town | 22 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 37 | 27 | 10 | 37 |
| 7. | Harrogate Town | 23 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 37 |
| 8. | Torquay United | 23 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 41 | 36 | 5 | 34 |
| 9. | Notts County | 23 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 35 | 27 | 8 | 32 |
| 10. | Hartlepool United | 23 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 36 | 32 | 4 | 32 |
| 11. | Eastleigh | 22 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 32 |
| 12. | Dover Athletic | 22 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 29 | 30 | -1 | 32 |
| 13. | Stockport County | 23 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 26 | 36 | -10 | 32 |
| 14. | Boreham Wood | 23 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 33 | 28 | 5 | 31 |
| 15. | Barnet | 23 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 34 | 32 | 2 | 31 |
| 16. | Dagenham & Redbridge | 23 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 29 | 30 | -1 | 30 |
| 17. | Maidenhead United | 23 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 11 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 28 |
| 18. | AFC Fylde | 22 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 28 | 36 | -8 | 27 |
| 19. | Aldershot Town | 23 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 24 | 33 | -9 | 26 |
| 20. | Sutton United | 22 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 22 | 29 | -7 | 22 |
| 21. | Chesterfield | 22 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 29 | 41 | -12 | 22 |
| 22. | Wrexham | 22 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 25 | 33 | -8 | 20 |
| 23. | Chorley | 23 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 20 | 39 | -19 | 20 |
| 24. | Ebbsfleet United | 23 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 33 | 46 | -13 | 19 |