Journalist Rich Fay has been discussing Lewis Brunt’s recent form at Wrexham, after the defender was previously axed by Phil Parkinson.
Phil Parkinson can be quite ruthless at Wrexham, as we’ve seen over the last few years with the treatment of players like Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer being perfect case studies.
It’s a symptom of Wrexham’s seemingly unstoppable rise up the Football League pyramid and we’ve seen more cases of the same happening this season.
Names like Eoghan O’Connell left Wrexham as a free agent after completely falling out of favour, whilst Jay Rodriguez is nowhere to be seen at the Racecourse.
Meanwhile, Lewis Brunt looked as though he was set to follow in the same direction. But the defender has made an unexpected return to the starting XI.
Rich Fay hails Lewis Brunt’s recent form at Wrexham
Speaking on the RobRyanRed podcast, journalist Rich Fay was discussing Brunt’s situation at Wrexham. After Wrexham signed Callum Doyle in an £8million deal from Man City, it was reported that Brunt would be dropped by Parkinson.
But after Brunt’s strong showing in the Carabao Cup win over Reading last month, the 24-year-old has started both Championship games since, with Doyle on the bench.
Fay said: “He was like a rabbit in headlights. I thought he looked just a little out of his depth. Not because he’s a bad player. He just wasn’t at this level yet and would take a lot longer to adapt. He’s not my Man of the Match from Leicester, but over the last few games, Lewis Brunt… ever since he came on at Norwich, wasn’t it, for Doyle at half-time, he just looks like he’s doing what [George] Dobson’s doing.
“He’s really raised to his new level. And he now knows if I make a single mistake, I’m out of this team because we got Callum Doyle. But Lewis Brunt, I have been blown away to be honest by him the last few games.”
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Phil Parkinson’s plan for Callum Doyle at Wrexham is clear
Wrexham invested heavily in Doyle who’s so far looked solid, and at 21 years old he’s got plenty of potential. But Parkinson simply thinks that Doyle isn’t quite there in terms of fitness just yet.
Speaking recently, Parkinson gave his verdict on Doyle’s Wrexham absence, saying: “I just think Brunty is physically where he needs to be, whereas Callum is a little bit behind in terms of the Tuesday-Saturday scenario at the moment, so it’s no more than that.”
But as long as Brunt is performing well, Parkinson has no reason to drop him. Wrexham though need to start keeping more clean sheets with only one to their name in eight Championship games this season.
As soon as Brunt, or even Dom Hyam or Max Cleworth start to show a dip in form, we might see Doyle reinstated to the starting XI.
Wrexham play Birmingham City in the Championship on Friday night.