Wrexham need a big reaction this weekend after the flat performance against Stevenage in midweek, and Phil Parkinson will make a lot of changes to his lineup for the next game.
Despite being comfortable favourites at home to Stevenage on Tuesday night, Wrexham fell to a 3-2 defeat with one of their most disappointing displays of the season.
After the game, Phil Parkinson hinted that Wrexham players needed to show more ‘fight’ and ‘determination’ from here on out, and suggested he will be mixing up his team selection for the trip to Crawley Town this weekend.
So, which players in the Wrexham squad will be punished for Tuesday’s debacle, and who will step in with something to prove?
Wrexham team and injury news ahead of Crawley Town clash
Thankfully, Lewis Brunt is now back in training and appears to be fit and ready to take part at the weekend, if Parkinson chooses to include the defender.
Aside from that, Wrexham are fairly injury-free. Backup goalkeeper, Callum Burton, is out long-term, while both Luke Bolton and Will Boyle need time to get back to full fitness.
Wrexham predicted XI vs Crawley Town with changes in defence and attack
Simply put, Parkinson needs to drop a lot of players after the way they played against Stevenage. We expect Dan Scarr, Thomas O’Connor, Matty James, Elliot Lee, and Ollie Palmer to pay the price.
Arthur Okonkwo had a nightmare against Stevenage, but will retain his place for the upcoming game. In front of him, Eoghan O’Connell and the aforementioned Brunt should step in to bolster the backline.
Meanwhile, in midfield, George Dobson’s performance was a silver lining for Wrexham in midweek, and should be rewarded by joining Ollie Rathbone and Andy Cannon in the middle of the park for the Crawley game.
It is in attack that Wrexham struggled most, though, with Elliot Lee and Ollie Palmer failing to be a threat once more. We expect both to be dropped, with Jack Marriott and Paul Mullin stepping in, though don’t be surprised to see Steven Fletcher in place of either as Parkinson toys with his attacking options.