Andy Morrell had plenty to say about Wrexham, and several of their players, after the 1-1 draw against Bristol Rovers on Friday.
Wrexham drew what was a must-win game at the Racecourse on Friday, even going behind against relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers, until Matty James rescued a point in the second half.
To make matters worse, Wycombe Wanderers won away at Bolton Wanderers to leapfrog Phil Parkinson’s side in the League One standings, now sitting in 2nd place and a point ahead of Wrexham in 3rd.
Fans had a lot to say on social media during and after the game. Wrexham fans weren’t impressed with Jay Rodriguez and Parkinson had a lot of criticism heading his way too, with Andy Morrell even having some words of advise for the gaffer.
Speaking on Matchday Live after the game, Morrell also had a lot to say about Ryan Barnett.
- READ MORE: Bristol Rovers fans’ gesture towards Ryan Reynolds before the Wrexham game rubs salt in the wounds
Andy Morrell says Ryan Barnett has lost his momentum at Wrexham
Barnett, 25, has been a shining light for Wrexham this season. The right-sided player has an impressive nine assists and two goals in 39 League One outings this season but he’s been in and out of the lineup in recent weeks, with Barnett having had a minor injury and then with Parkinson having often preferred Ryan Longman.
And Morrell thinks the often needless change in personnel has taken Barnett’s momentum away. It comes at a crucial time in the season too when Wrexham could really do with an in form and firing Barnett on the right flank.
Morrell said on Matchday Live: “Ryan Barnett’s momentum just seems to have been halted a little bit. Where he was playing week in week out and he had that rhythm, he was very very good, one of the better players in the league, I thought he was brilliant early on and then Longman comes in, he’s pulled out the team for a rest or whatever, he’s never been able to get going again.”
Wrexham’s League One results when Ryan Barnett starts vs when he doesn’t
Barnett started a staggering 22 league games in a row earlier in the season. He’s so far started 31 games in the league this season and of those 31, Wrexham have won 16. But interestingly, Wrexham are unbeaten in games he’s not started.
| Wrexham when Barnett starts | Wrexham when Barnett doesn’t start |
| 16 wins | 8 wins |
| 7 draws | 4 draws |
| 8 defeats | 0 defeats |
The above table makes for very intriguing reading, but it can’t be denied that an in form Barnett makes Wrexham tick, and Parkinson maybe made a bit of a mistake by needlessly taking Barnett out of the side for Longman. But Parkinson is a huge fan of Barnett’s, praising him on multiple occasions this season.
Like Morrell says, Barnett is one of the league’s most influential players when he’s at his best and being in and out of the team has stifled his campaign somewhat.
Wrexham’s game at Blackpool kicks off at 3pm on Monday.