IT is safe to say that Llandudno manager Iwan Williams will not be sad to see the back of 2018 from a personal and professional perspective, but there is plenty of hope the New Year can bring an immediate turnaround in their fortunes.

The JD Welsh Premier League basement dwellers have it all to in the second half of the season in their bid to avoid the drop, but their encouraging draw at Caernarfon Town on Saturday showed that there is not only still plenty of fight remaining in the squad, but also the talent to get things done against other teams in the division.

Of course, the top flight is an unforgiving place given the increase in playing standard this season, but for Tudno to perform so well against one of the form sides in the Canaries is evidence enough that they can put a good run of results together and get out of the predicament they find themselves in.

They are currently eight points adrift of safety so it is going to take a monumental effort from all involved, but if there is something you cannot criticise this Tudno squad and their manager of is a lack of effort and there is no doubt that Williams and assistant Matty Williams will leave no stone unturned in their bid to avoid the drop.

The likes of Danny Hughes, Toby Jones, Kai Edwards and Mike Pearson need to lead from the front in their fight for survival given the vast experience that each of them possesses, with exciting young prospects such as George Harry and Leo Smith also expected to contribute significantly to any success that comes their way in the weeks and months ahead.

Williams knows full well the significant threat that the Cofis possess having managed the majority of the squad during his hugely successful spell at The Oval, and any decrease in performance in their New Year’s Day encounter at The Giant Hospitality Stadium will see them punished, such is the talent littered within Sean Eardley’s well-balanced and resolute squad.

It is expected to be a very busy January transfer window as Williams looks to get some fresh faces in to aid their cause, and with two huge games upcoming against Llanelli Town and Cardiff Met it represents a real chance for Tudno to get some critical points on the board heading into the WPL split.

The manager deserves enormous amount of credit for fighting on in the face of extreme adversity both on-and-off the pitch when many would have walked away to concentrate on personal matters. That is how much he is devoted to and cares about Llandudno Football Club, and if they are to pull off the great escape then there will be nobody that deserves the plaudits more.

That, of course, will be easier said than done, so now is the time for each member of the squad to stand up and be counted ahead of a very winnable three games that lie ahead.