Wrexham have hit a sticky patch in League Two and Phil Parkinson will be looking to put that right as they travel to Sutton United tonight.
Three straight defeats in League Two have seen Phil Parkinson’s side slip down to fifth in the table, their lowest position since mid-October.
Just three goals were scored in those losses, all against teams who had previously been horribly out of form.
Wrexham lost 1-0 against Bradford City on Saturday thanks to a 90th-minute winner from Andy Cook, ending their eight-match winless run in the fourth tier.
Their position in the table, however, means there is no reason to panic just yet. The Reds are two points behind Crewe Alexandra, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot, with two games in hand.
Of course, they’d like to dig themselves out of that slump sooner rather than later, starting with their match against Sutton United tonight.
Parkinson was supplied some good news ahead of this contest as defender Tom O’Connor, who has missed the last four games through injury, is making decent progress.
Aside from that, the Wrexham boss has no fresh injury concerns and he will try to resist the urge to reshuffle his pack following their narrow defeat on Saturday, although there is one surprise change he could make.
Here’s our predicted lineup for Sutton vs Wrexham…
Wrexham’s predicted XI vs Sutton United – Paul Mullin dropped
Despite their loss against the Bantams, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was named in the Team of the Week for League Two after making an impressive seven saves, five of which were in the box.
The key for Parkinson to build consistency is to keep the same back five that lost on Saturday. Ryan Barnett won five ground duels and made four key passes against Bradford, so he keeps his place in the side ahead of Luke Bolton, who is yet to make his full debut for the club.
Parkinson’s back three of Aaron Hayden, Ben Tozer and Eoghan O’Connell will remain the same with veteran James McClean supplying ammunition into the box down the left.
George Evans put in a domineering performance last time out and successfully found his teammates with 10 long balls. He is nailed on to keep his place in the side while the industrious Andy Cannon and the lethal Elliot Lee will partner as Wrexham’s advanced midfielders.
Paul Mullin has been incredible since signing for Wrexham, but the 29-year-old hasn’t scored in his last three matches and showed signs of fatigue in the loss to Bradford. He could benefit from a much-needed rest this evening by allowing Jack Marriott to make his full debut alongside Stephen Fletcher.
Wrexham (5-3-2): Okonkwo, Barnett, Hayden, Tozer, O’Connell, McClean; Evans, Cannon, Lee; Marriott, Fletcher.