Spann out to prove himself at Wrexham FC
By Tom Norris (Evening Leader)Silvio Spann believes he finally has the right mindset to challenge for a place in the Wrexham starting XI.
Spann has featured heavily throughout Wrexham’s pre-season campaign on the right side of defence having been restricted to just 14 appearances last season.
The Trinidad and Tobago international, who has won 35 caps for his country, has come back fit and strong having played throughout the summer break for his country.
And now the 27-year-old fans’ favourite wants to repay the support shown to him by manager Dean Saunders.
“There is always room for improvement,” said Spann. “But I have had some good performances so far and I am trying to keep that going.
“The gaffer has shown his faith in me and I am repaying him by trying to do my best.
“The more competition there is, the more we are challenged day in and day out to give our best for the club.
“That can only go well for us and for the club because we are trying to get out of the Conference.
“I am fully aware now of what to expect. I live in Wrexham so I don’t know whether you would call me a ‘Wrexham lad’, but I am fitting in and accustomed to the climate and what is required.
“I am more settled with my house and my family and you can see the best of me coming along every game. It took me by surprise when I first came. I have played in a cold climate before but Wrexham is different.
“One morning I got up to go to training and the sun was shining gloriously, by the time I got out the shower after training it was raining.
“By the time I got in my car snow was falling and I when I got back to training there was hail. I am aware and can adjust now, it is all part of being a professional.”
Spann was transfer listed by then Wrexham boss Brian Little at the start of last season after failing to find his best form at The Racecourse.
But, this pre-season has presented Spann with a chance to impress having returned to training in top shape after a series of international matches.
And Spann is delighted to see a busy summer of football pay off.
“It can go either way,” he admitted. “To be honest I would rather play a game than do silly running because I feel you benefit more.
“It can go the way where I am absolutely fatigued and not able to perform to my highest level, but fortunately for me it is going the other way.
“I thank God, as long as He is blessing me with health and strength I will be able to give my best for Wrexham and push on from there.
“We are gelling together and everyone can see we are working well.
“It doesn't matter who is out on the pitch the gaffer is working to the system and fortunately for him everything is falling in to place and starting to look like a unit.
“I am trying hard day and night to get in the starting 11 and cement my place at the club.
“Individually if we manage to work hard we have a good chance of getting out of the conference.”
Spann also voiced his thoughts on playing on the right of defence, instead of his preferred attacking midfield role.
“It’s not my favourite position,” he admitted with a smile.
“Ideally I like to play between the strikers and centre midfield but I played there for my country during the last World Cup we qualified for.
“It is a plus for me and I will just do my best, I will work hard and strive to get better, that is all I can do.
“I think the gaffer planned it all well because he knows that if I am not the fastest player at the club I think Cieslewicz beat me to it then I am one of them.
“I think for me it is good, I like attacking and that is no secret, but I am working hard to repay him and do my best.
“The gaffer has also shown faith in my set-pieces and it is something I have always enjoyed doing.
“It is nothing knew to me and I will continue to work hard on them to try and improve from five out of 10 right to nine out of 10.”
