Match

Phil Parkinson says what he privately told Wrexham players immediately after Stoke City loss

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Phil Parkinson has shared what he said to his Wrexham players after they lost to Stoke City.

It was a disappointing showing from the Red Dragons, who fell to a 1-0 defeat versus Stoke after Sorba Thomas’s cross somehow ended up in the back of the net with 36 minutes on the clock.

Wrexham fans were unhappy with Phil Parkinson after the game, which was the first time this season their side failed to score a goal.

Now, the former Bradford City boss has shared what he told his players in the dressing room post-Stoke.

Phil Parkinson before Stoke City v Wrexham AFC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Phil Parkinson’s message to Wrexham players after Stoke City

Speaking to the club’s media team right after Saturday’s defeat, Parkinson told his Wrexham players they could have done better, especially as they were still in the match at half-time.

He said: “I felt we could have done better, and I just said that to the lads in there [the dressing room], that we said at half-time, come on, we’re right in this game.

“But it’s the process, the way we’re going to keep playing, what we need to do to go and get back in the game. I just felt we went away from that slightly in the second period.”

Wrexham should really have taken the lead on October 18, but Ryan Longman missed a huge opportunity.

Issa Kabore’s shot was deflected into the path of the left-wing-back, who guided his effort wide of an open goal.

Longman angered Wrexham fans with his display, and Parkinson has briefly commented on his team’s missed chances on the day.

Phil Parkinson during Stoke City v Wrexham AFC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Phil Parkinson comments on missed Wrexham chances vs Stoke City

He said: “I thought first half we played well. I was pleased with how we set up without the ball.

“I thought we were really good with the ball. We hurt them in the areas we thought we could, in wide areas.

“I thought there was some really good elements to our play, and we’ve had big moments to have taken the lead and haven’t taken them.”

Wrexham’s relegation chances have now increased, with the Dragons only three points above the bottom three going into their next outing.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
14 SouthamptonSouthampton10 2 6 2 11 12 -1 12
15 WatfordWatford10 3 3 4 11 12 -1 12
16 PortsmouthPortsmouth9 3 3 3 8 9 -1 12
17 BirminghamBirmingham10 3 3 4 10 14 -4 12
18 WrexhamWrexham10 2 4 4 14 16 -2 10
19 Oxford UnitedOxford United10 2 3 5 11 13 -2 9
20 NorwichNorwich10 2 2 6 11 15 -4 8
21 DerbyDerby10 1 5 4 11 16 -5 8
22 BlackburnBlackburn9 2 1 6 7 13 -6 7

Parkinson’s men will face Oxford United on Wednesday, eyeing their first home league win of the 2025/26 season.