Wrexham take on Reading this weekend and Phil Parkinson has been given something of a boost ahead of the clash at the STōK Cae Ras.
Wrexham can be pleased with a strong start to the new season.
The 3-2 win over Wycombe Wanderers on the opening day of the season was an evening of pure euphoria – mixed with a little bit of tension towards the end – after more than a decade in non-league.
Wrexham were then beaten 4-2 at Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup as Phil Parkinson switched up his side.
After conceding six goals in a matter of days, Wrexham were then delighted to have picked up a 0-0 draw at Bolton Wanderers.
Arthur Okonkwo has earned huge praise for his display as the Wrexham stopper just wouldn’t be beaten against the Trotters.
Wrexham handed Reading boost after Femi Azeez development
Wrexham are back to the home comforts of the STōK Cae Ras on Saturday afternoon, taking on Reading.
Reading have started the season in decent fashion, starting with a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.
A dubious late penalty prevented a Royals win but Ruben Selles and co secured a victory last weekend.
Reading beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, but this proved to be the final appearance for Femi Azeez.
Azeez came off the bench in Reading’s win but has now been sold ahead of the trip to Wrexham.
Millwall have confirmed the signing of Azeez on their official website, with London News Online claiming that the deal is worth £1million.
“Femi is a target we have been working on for a number of months,” said Steve Gallen, Millwall’s Director of Football. “We’re really pleased to bring him in after watching him numerous times last season where he really impressed.”
“He’s quick, dynamic, he takes players on, gets crosses into the box and loves to score a goal. He’s played in a good, young, Reading side and is the exact type of signing we want to bring in to the football club,” he added.
Azeez hit eight goals and nine assists in League One last season and can pose a real threat down the right flank.
Reading have lost a dangerous player ahead of their trip to Wrexham and this is hardly ideal preparation for Selles.
Eoghan O’Connell on Reading
Wrexham won’t be taking Reading lightly despite that sale and defender Eoghan O’Connell is paying them real respect.
Speaking to BBC Sport, O’Connell noted that Reading are a ‘big club’ and Wrexham will not take them lightly.
O’Connell admitted that he watched Reading’s draw at Birmingham and knows the threat they can provide.
The Irishman has already hailed the Wrexham fanbase but added that the home crowd can really drive Wrexham on in tough games like this one against the Royals.
“They are another big club. In our last two promotions we’ve never taken any game for granted and with the size of the clubs in this league we definitely won’t,” said O’Connell.
“I watched snippets of their [Reading’s] game against Birmingham and they looked a really good team, so it’s a really tough game but I’m sure we’ll be ready for it.”
“We’ve used our home form in the last few years but it’s about winning games and just because it’s at home, doesn’t mean we can just turn up. So we need to keep on it and keep that form going. When we play at home the crowd is unreal for us and we need to make it the fortress we want – the same as last season – and play as well as we can,” he added.
The game also sees Wrexham boss Parkinson come up against his former club having been a Reading hero during his playing days.