A tactical nuance Wrexham implemented on the training ground meant just as much as the two goals scored, according to Phil Parkinson.
The STōK Cae Ras was rocking this afternoon as Wrexham secured a 2-0 victory over title rivals Mansfield Town thanks to a brace from Paul Mullin.
Phil Parkinson knew the magnitude of this game, as did everyone associated with Wrexham, with the players turning up for the big occasion.
A loss today would have seen the hosts go six behind the Stags, however, that all-important victory has put them level on points, such is the drama at the top of League Two.
Parkinson was pleased with his player’s outstanding performance, hailing Mullin for his two well-taken goals, which put him one behind the milestone of 100.
The former Bradford City manager also spoke highly of his players’ work off the ball to nullify one Mansfield talent.
Phil Parkinson reveals plan to shutdown Mansfield maestro Louis Reed
All the talk heading into the game surrounded former Wrexham player Davis Keillor-Dunn, who has fired 19 goals and supplied eight assists in the league.
The 26-year-old has been in sensational form for the Stags all season and his contributions have helped fire them towards promotion to League One.
With the threat he poses in the final third, surely Parkinson devised a plan to prevent him from impacting the game, but it was actually Mansfield midfielder Louis Reed who he wanted to stop the most.
Reed is the conductor in their midfield and a lot of their attacking play goes through him as he uses his creativity and passing range to feed the forwards.
Speaking to Wrexham’s YouTube channel after the game, Parkinson explained how he worked out a plan in training to block the ball from going into Reed, who has made 39 appearances in League Two this season.
“We worked in the week on blocking the ball into little Louis Reed cause he’s a good footballer and we restricted the service into him,” said Parkinson. “A lot of their attacks start off like that and I was so pleased with that work because that means as much as the goals”
A Phil Parkinson tactical masterclass
It was revealed earlier this week that Wrexham are yet to lose a game after taking the lead and while they continued that trend this afternoon, Parkinson also deserves credit for shutting down their midfield dictator.
Parkinson acknowledged the threat he posed by pinpointing that as an area to attack on the training ground. Luckily, the players also managed to carry out that plan as Reed only completed 79% of his passes and misplaced six long ball attempts.
Of course, Mullin’s two strikes won them the match, but the manager’s ability to notice the finer details was just as important and you have to say, it worked a treat.
Reed didn’t get into the game, and Mullin did what he does best at the other end to put Wrexham level on points with Mansfield as the promotion race intensifies.