Phil Parkinson has now explained why he made several surprise tactical decisions in the 1-1 draw against MK Dons last night.
Wrexham supporters would have been surprised with the starting XI that Phil Parkinson named for their trip to MK Dons.
It saw the likes of Elliot Lee, Stephen Fletcher and Paul Mullin all get rested while Jacob Mendy, Luke Young and Sam Dalby were all given rare starts.
With their key stars offered the chance to sit this one out, it was the opportunity for some of their fringe players to show their worth to Parkinson.
Dalby, who perhaps should have missed out instead of Ollie Palmer, failed to take his chance up front while Young recorded the assist for James McClean’s goal and Mendy was particularly poor at left-back.
In what was a mixed performance from their squad players, Parkinson has now explained the reasoning behind those tactical changes.
Phil Parkinson explains surprise Wrexham tactical decisions
Wrexham’s trip to the Stadium MK, which Rob McElhenney was left blown away by, was their third match in the space of seven days.
Parkinson knew that some of his key players were feeling the effects of such a gruelling schedule and decided to give them a much-needed rest, allowing them to feel refreshed for Saturday’s clash against Gillingham.
Speaking to Wrexham’s YouTube channel after the match, he said: “I think Saturday [Notts County] was a really full on game and we looked at the group and we decided to freshen it up. I thought there was a real energy about us tonight, there really was.
“We were really positive in everything we did and lads who came in equipped themselves well. A few lads who didn’t play, I felt it was the right time to give them a breather. But they’ll be refreshed for that at the weekend.”
Jacob Mendy and Sam Dalby didn’t take their chance
Parkinson seemed happy with his team’s performance, although Dalby and Mendy let a golden opportunity pass them by.
It’s rare that two of Wrexham’s most important strikers, Mullin and Fletcher, are allowed to rest and they’ll likely start on Saturday, with Dalby dropping to the bench.
As for Mendy, McClean is the first-choice at left-back and while he played in midfield against the Dons, Parkinson will probably shuffle him back to his usual position at the weekend.
Despite what the manager said about the fringe players equipping themselves well, they didn’t do enough on the night to suggest they deserve regular starts moving forward.
So expect Parkinson to name his strongest side when they take on Gillingham on Saturday.