Wrexham suffered defeat on Tuesday night as Phil Parkinson’s return to Reading ending in a damaging 2-0 defeat.
Wrexham beat Rotherham United 1-0 on Saturday afternoon and headed back on the road to face Reading.
Phil Parkinson is all too used to the Saturday-midweek-Saturday schedule now but this trip to Berkshire always looked testing.
Reading were unbeaten in eight League One games and showed their class against Wrexham with two second-half goals.
Harvey Knibbs fired home from the penalty spot before Lewis Wing added number two after a slick passing move.
Michael Strickland’s red card gave Wrexham hope but it just wasn’t to be as Parkinson lost 2-0 agains the club where he was a hero in his playing days.
Wrexham’s mini-revival after defeat to Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy is over, so here are five key talking points from Tuesday’s loss…
- READ MORE: 3/10 player offered nothing and Sebastian Revan really struggled during Wrexham defeat to Reading
Massive missed opportunity
Wrexham’s away form has flipped of late with Phil Parkinson stringing victories together on the road.
That came to a crashing halt on Tuesday night and Wrexham should be gutted to have lost this one.
A win in Berkshire would have taken Wrexham three points ahead of Wycombe Wanderers ahead of facing the Chairboys this weekend.
Fans may have been dreaming of opening up a six-point gap come Sunday but that won’t be happening – and Saturday’s game at Wycombe is now enormous.
Wrexham really can’t afford to lose two in a row at this stage of the season and a huge response will be needed having fallen in such poor fashion on Tuesday night.
A tough night for Eoghan O’Connell
Saturday’s win over Rotherham United saw defender Eoghan O’Connell turn in a brilliant performance.
The Irishman was a rock in the heart of Wrexham’s defence, racking up clearances and successful aerial duels.
Tuesday wasn’t quite the same for O’Connell and he ended up having a difficult night.
O’Connell gave away the penalty for Reading to open the scoring before being caught out of position for the Royals’ second goal.
This wasn’t O’Connell’s finest night but we can’t see Dan Scarr replacing him at Wycombe Wanderers this weekend with Parkinson likely to keep the faith in him.
Another toothless night as Paul Mullin questions linger
The stats will show that Wrexham had 15 shots against Reading.
That rather flatters Wrexham though and many of them came after Strickland’s red card left the Royals down to 10 men.
There were efforts cleared off the line in goalmouth scrambles but Wrexham managing just three shots on target summed up another toothless night.
When Parkinson’s style of play works, Wrexham are so dangerous at attacking crosses and mkaing the most of direct play.
When it doesn’t work, Wrexham look one-dimensional and unable to break down stubborn defences – a problem which has been apparent at stages throughout the season.
Parkinson threw on Steven Fletcher and Modou Faal in the search for goals but it was to no avail.
The continued absence of Paul Mullin is somewhat bizarre and it’s all well and good when Wrexham win and score goals, but a flat night like Tuesday really raises question marks over just why he is being left out of the squad.
Ryan Longman makes an impact
Sebastian Revan has been in fine form of late and has been making the left wing back spot his own.
This wasn’t Revan’s finest night though and his position may be under some threat ay Wycombe this weekend.
Substitute Ryan Longman made a real impact from the bench, causing chaos in the final third.
Longman teed up Steven Fletcher with one fine chance but the Scot blazed his effort high and wide.
Longman looked sharp, direct and incisive and we would love to see him start at left wing back with Ryan Barnett continuing on the right side rather than chopping and changing them on the right so much.
Charlton suddenly closing the gap
The battle for second place has looked like being a straight shootout between Wrexham and Wycombe in recent weeks.
Charlton Athletic can’t be discounted though after the Addicks beat Crawley Town 1-0 away from home on Tuesday night.
That is now nine wins in the last 12 League One games for Charlton, losing just once in the process.
Tuesday’s win takes Charlton just five points behind Wrexham and Wycombe whilst stringing together some superb results.
Nathan Jones’ side still have to play both Wycombe and Wrexham before the season ends and will be seriously eyeing up a push for second place with Parkinson needing to be wary of his former club in this promotion race.