Here are the main talking points coming out of Wrexham’s League One fixture with Stockport County on March 22nd.
We are now in the business end of the 2024/25 season and every single point is crucial for Wrexham.
With Wycombe Wanderers not playing this weekend, a win for the Red Dragons would have moved them back into the top two behind Birmingham City, who also weren’t in action.
However, Stockport County are vying for promotion as well and kicked off at the Racecourse Ground only six points adrift of Phil Parkinson’s men.
When all was said and done, Wrexham beat Stockport 1-0. Here are five things we learned from the meeting.
- READ MORE: Wrexham fans react to Phil Parkinson’s Paul Mullin decision vs Stockport County, demand issued
Another snub for Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin
The first talking point of the day came prior to kick-off when the team news was released.
Parkinson once again opted for the same front two that started against Wycombe, leaving Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer out of the matchday squad for a 10th straight match.
This came despite Jay Rodriguez being poor against the Chairboys and Wrexham fans suggesting Sam Smith was isolated when playing alongside the former Burnley man.
Promotion won’t be decided this week
It was easy to think this game was massive and in reality, it will have some bearing on the promotion race come May.
However, no matter what happened against Stockport, it was already clear that the battle for the top two will likely go down to the final day.
Wrexham’s fixtures compared to Wycombe are easier on paper, especially at the back end of the season.
In turn, Parkinson’s men will still have plenty to play for coming out of Saturday even though Mike Dodds’ team now have a game in hand once more.
Penalty decisions were interesting
Wrexham took the lead shortly before the half-hour mark when Rodriguez scored.
The Burnley ace missed his penalty but, thankfully, slotted home with the rebound.
Whether or not it was actually a penalty is up for debate given the Stockport player who was judged to have handled the ball was facing the other way.
However, Wrexham should have had a penalty just a minute before when Smith’s arm was pulled in the box anyway.
Jay Rodriguez probably still hasn’t done enough to warrant starting
While he ended his 10-game goal drought on Saturday, it still wasn’t an amazing performance from the ex-Burnley man.
Smith looks much better when playing alongside Steven Fletcher, who replaced Rodriguez again versus Stockport.
Fletcher can’t complete 90 minutes anymore, however, so it might be time to give Palmer or Mullin a run in the side.
Parky ball does the job
While Wrexham’s football has never been amazing under Parkinson, it’s yielded amazing results.
They have won back-to-back promotions and are now very likely to make it three in a row.
Charlton Athletic are the only top-nine team Wrexham have left to play this season, while Wycombe still have to take on the likes of Stockport, Huddersfield Town, Leyton Orient and Charlton.