Wrexham played out their latest Championship fixture of the season on Saturday, taking on Norwich City.
Wrexham were underdogs going into their meeting with Liam Manning’s side at Carrow Road.
After a poor performance versus Queens Park Rangers on September 13, the Red Dragons made several changes.
Josh Windass returned to the starting eleven following his injury, while all three of their deadline day signings were handed their first starts.
Here is what we learned from Wrexham’s meeting with Norwich City.
Elliot Lee facing Paul Mullin repeat
Over the summer, it was revealed that Elliot Lee was free to leave Wrexham.
The attacking midfielder opted to remain but has found game time hard to come by in 2025/26.
Lee travelled to Norwich but, along with Ryan Hardie, he did not make the matchday squad.
It now means he hasn’t played a single minute in any of Wrexham’s six league games this term.
There was a suggestion earlier this week that Lee won’t play this season. And after he was once again dropped on Saturday, the three-time promotion winner, despite previously being a crucial player, looks to be following in the footsteps of fellow club icons Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer.
Wrexham have been ruthless
Similarly, it’s become clear that Wrexham can’t afford to be sentimental when it comes to their long-time players.
If not for injuries to Danny Ward and Liberato Cacace, we could easily have seen a brand-new eleven, barring Max Cleworth and George Dobson, against Norwich.
Wrexham signed 13 players over the summer, and it appears that all of them are going to be regular starters in 2025/26.
It’s an unfortunate situation for stars like Lewis Brunt and Ryan Barnett, but it’s a reality fans must face up to as their club aims to reach the Premier League.
Left-wing-back still an issue
One of the main problems Wrexham have faced this season is their wing-backs being exposed.
Issa Kabore started on the right for the first time this weekend and was superb, while Ryan Longman began on the left.
Their left-hand side was still an issue at times, and Norwich got in behind a few times, including in the 22nd minute.
Liberato Cacace’s eventual return should help fix the issue in the long run, but it remains a problem for the time being.
Arthur Okonkwo needs to find top form soon
Norwich went 1-0 in the first half and questions were asked about Arthur Okonkwo.
A ball was played over the top to a Norwich player who was through on goal, but rather than rushing out, Okonkwo hesitated.
It allowed the forward to slot home with relative ease. This is not the first questionable decision the goalkeeper has made this season, and he will need to find his best form again as soon as possible, given that Danny Ward is out for a prolonged period.
He then gifted Norwich a goal in injury time and forced an unnecessarily nervy end to the match.
Josh Windass a level above
It was another difficult game for Wrexham, who could have conceded a couple in the first half.
But to their credit, they more than improved in the second half, with Josh Windass a standout option.
The former Sheffield Wednesday man has been a major miss while out of action, but now he’s back, Wrexham look so much more lethal going forward.