Wrexham tried and failed to sign a number of players during the 2025 January transfer window.
Amid the likes of Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin struggling for goals, Wrexham were in the market for a new centre-forward over the winter.
They eventually broke their transfer record to sign Sam Smith who was followed swiftly through the door by Jay Rodriguez of Burnley.
Prior to the duo arriving in late January, however, the Red Dragons were linked with moves for a number of other strikers.
Patrick Bamford was tipped to join Wrexham but in reality, his wage and potential transfer fee meant that deal was always unlikely.
More realistically, however, we revealed that Joe Gelhardt was an option for the Welsh side last month.
No move came to pass and he instead opted to link up with Championship outfit Hull City for the remainder of the campaign.
Hull City fans in agreement about Wrexham target Joe Gelhardt
However, the Wrexham transfer target has had a pretty mixed stint in Yorkshire and Hull fans have had a lot to say about him.
The Tigers lost to Cardiff City on Tuesday evening and are in serious danger of being relegated. Following that defeat, fans have questioned Gelhardt’s ability with many suggesting he needs a change of position.
One fan wrote: “Absolutely dreadful from #hcafc tonight. Never gonna score all night. Selles got that wrong tonight, not enough fresh legs, Lincoln and Gelhardt miles off it. Alzate had to start too. Lose next week and I don’t see how we stay up.”
A second questioned: “Do Gelhardt and Joseph just run around a lot?”
“Our best attacking threat played left wing last night whenever he plays there it doesn’t suit him, he has to be in centre or on the right I don’t mind us resting a few players we’ve got a good squad but putting Gelhardt on the left is criminal for me,” another added.
A fourth wrote: “Joseph works hard but has no support with service or in the press. He thrives best with creative players around him. We’re lacking that. That’s why Gelhardt could force something up front.”
Another supporter stated: “Need Gelhardt off the right in my opinion, seems to be far more effective cutting inside.”
While a sixth claimed: “The front players are awful Pedro sort of ok, Joseph tries hard but looks like a two-goal a season man, same with Gelhardt, and Kamara looked like he turned the corner against Leeds but has gone backwards!”
Joe Gelhardt stats vs Cardiff City
Wrexham fans may have been upset at missing out on a striker with experience in both the Premier League and Championship.
However, Gelhardt has scored just one goal since his move to Hull and, as well as the rest of his team, is struggling for form.
| Joe Gelhardt | Stats vs Hull City |
| Minutes | 90 |
| Sofascore rating | 6.8 |
| Crosses (accurate) | 7 (0) |
| Shots on target | 0 |
| Touches | 65 |
Rodriguez has similarly been not at his best for Wrexham since joining but he has still produced a few moments of quality and will hopefully get up to speed in the coming weeks after previously seeing so little game time this season prior to his transfer.