Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has praised wing backs Ryan Barnett and Jacob Mendy for their performances against Gillingham.
Wrexham’s push for automatic promotion took a hit on Saturday afternoon.
Seven points from a possible nine had given Wrexham some momentum, but that was halted at Gillingham.
Timtohee Dieng’s second-half strike proved to be the winner for Gillingham, consigning Wrexham to defeat.
Wins for Mansfield Town, Crewe Alexandra and Milton Keynes Dons made Saturday a very difficult day for all Wrexham fans.
Phil Parkinson praises Wrexham wing backs
There isn’t much for Wrexham fans to be happy about this weekend but Phil Parkinson did find a couple of bright spots.
Speaking to Wrexham’s official YouTube channel after the defeat in Kent and picked out the displays of Ryan Barnett and Jacob Mendy.
Parkinson felt that the two wing backs ‘looked dangerous’ against Gillingham but the killer moment in the final third just didn’t happen for Wrexham.
“It’s difficult because, in terms of the way we played, we implement a lot of what we set out to do in training, we knew where we could hurt GIllingham in terms of possession in the middle of the pitch and I thought the midfield three did it really well, got it into Fletch’s feet,” said Parkinson.
“Barney and Jacob looked dangerous but sometimes you go through periods where thing don’t fall for you and I think we’re definitely having a bit of that at the moment,” he added.
Barnett has been impressive of late, stepping up his game after the arrival of fellow right wing back Luke Bolton.
A superb assist for Steven Fletcher against Notts County last week summed up Barnett’s quality but there sadly wasn’t a similar moment against Gillingham.
Mendy got his chance in the team against MK Dons in midweek with James McClean moving from left wing back into midfield.
Parkinson went with the same idea against Gillingham and seemingly liked what he saw from Mendy in this defeat.
Injuries in midfield mean Mendy may be needed in the coming weeks and months and Parkinson seems to be happy with his wing back options right now.
Hopefully, the goals will flow again soon for Wrexham – and those wing backs may well be key to improved attacking displays.