Former England international Carlton Palmer has given an optimistic assessment of Wrexham’s start to life in League Two, saying that automatic promotion should still be the target.
Nobody said life in League Two would be easy. Last season, Wrexham secured the National League title with a record tally of 111 points. As a result, they clinched promotion back to the fourth tier of English football for the first time in 15 years.
In pre-season, many fans, experts and pundits had the Red Dragons down as their favourites to be promoted this season too. However, several heavy defeats have tempered expectations somewhat, although the club are still well among the playoff places.
Ex England international gives optimistic verdict on Wrexham’s start to life in League Two
Wrexham suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Stockport last weekend, with manager Phil Parkinson saying the first 45 minutes were “as bad of a first-half that I can remember us playing in terms of all the fundamentals in football.”
However, according to ex England international Carlton Palmer, the Reds have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about their start to the season.
Palmer played in the Premier League for Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Coventry City during the 1990s and early 2000s. The former midfielder was also capped 18 times by England and was part of the squad at UEFA Euro 1992.
Speaking to Football League World about Wrexham’s start to the season, he said: “There’s absolutely no need to panic for Wrexham. It was a heavy defeat to Stockport, who I fancied at the start of the season to win the league.
“They [Wrexham] were promoted last season. They sit in the playoffs in seventh place in the league on 15 points, only five points off the leaders, Notts County.”
He added: “This is their only defeat in their last six games, results like this happen sometimes when adjusting to a new league and their surroundings, and the teams that they’re playing against.
“Automatic promotion is, most definitely, still their target.”
Dragons need to bounce back against Crewe this weekend
It’s certainly not all doom and gloom. Before the defeat to Stockport, Wrexham were on a three game winning streak in the league and just a couple of points off then-league leaders Gillingham.
One defeat doesn’t define a season, but it’s imperative the club bounces back this weekend against Crewe Alexandra.
Crewe have won three of their last five games and are sixth in League Two, one place above Wrexham who are in seventh. The teams meet each other at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday at 3pm in a virtual six pointer in terms of a promotion push.
The Reds then face difficult away trips to Mansfield and Crawley, who are currently third and fourth in the league respectively.
This three game stretch will be a serious test of Wrexham’s mettle – if they can come through it, they’re in business.