Saturday’s marquee League One meeting saw Wrexham travel to Wycombe in a 3pm kick-off.
Wycombe Wanderers were not in action during the week, offering Wrexham a chance to overtake them in the table.
However, Phil Parkinson’s men lost 2-0 to Reading, meaning they went into the game on March 15th already having played a fixture more than their opponents and with a much worse goal difference.
As a result, it was imperative that the Red Dragons beat Wycombe if they wanted to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive.
When all was said and done, Wrexham beat Wycombe 1-0. Here are five things we learned from the meeting.
Phil Parkinson leaves Paul Mullin out again as striker sends message
It’s easy to think that Paul Mullin may have played his last game for Wrexham this season and potentially ever.
The striker started in the 3-2 defeat to Stevenage in late January but has continued to be left out by Parkinson since.
Mullin was once again omitted from the matchday squad against Wycombe, with Jack Marriott and Steven Fletcher named on the bench ahead of him.
Ahead of the tie, rumours about his Wrexham stint were once again circulating, but Mullin addressed claims he’d fallen out with Parkinson on X/Twitter.
- READ MORE: Wrexham Council act to ‘address’ problem caused after Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover
Matty James and George Dobson in midfield again
With Andy Cannon injured, Parkinson opted to start Matty James, George Dobson, and Ollie Rathbone as his midfield three on Saturday.
James and Dobson are both quality players, but for whatever reason, they have found it difficult to play alongside one another at Wrexham.
Elliot Lee was an option off the bench if things did not work out, as they often haven’t when the pair has started together this season.
Lack of creativity remains a concern
It’s not new to Wrexham fans, but Saturday’s meeting was another example of their team struggling to create much.
Without Lee in the eleven, there isn’t really anyone who can pick the ball up through the centre and feed the likes of Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez.
There’s not much they can do about it now unless they sign a free agent, but it remains clear that Wrexham should be looking to sign a number 10 in the summer.
Wrexham need to change things up front from the off
Given how average their attack has been for much of the season, Wrexham weren’t expected to create too much against Wycombe.
But yet again, the opposition goalkeeper was hardly tested throughout much of the 90 minutes.
Sam Smith looked decent vs Wycombe and earned praise from fans but he is being isolated up front and receiving little support.
Jay Rodriguez has done little to show he deserves his starting berth and it may be time to hand Smith a new partner.
Steven Fletcher played a crucial role in his goal and while he’s unlikely to be able to complete 90 minutes, the Scotmans could at least start games going forward.
Promotion hopes given major boost
The main talking point coming out of the game is, of course, Wrexham are now back in the top two.
Wycombe do have a game in hand and a better goal difference, but there’s still plenty to play for in the final nine games of the season.
Wrexham face Stockport County next week, while the Chairboys’ game in hand comes against Rotherham on Tuesday.