Wrexham fans are experiencing yet another push for promotion as Phil Parkinson looks to take the club up into the Championship.
Wrexham take on Cambridge United on Tuesday night as the League One promotion race continues.
Phil Parkinson watched on as Wrexham beat Exeter City on Saturday afternoon, with Ollie Rathbone and Jay Rodriguez on the scoresheet.
Wrexham must go again, though, and a trip to face relegation-threatened Cambridge will not be easy.
Paul Mullin looks set to miss out against his former club, but former Cambridge striker Sam Smith will be raring to go.
Parkinson will hope for another victory to move closer to promotion, with fans preparing for another dramatic end to the campaign.
- READ MORE: Wrexham team news and predicted XI vs Cambridge United – Phil Parkinson to make Paul Mullin decision
Humphrey Ker explains Eoghan O’Connell stance
A third promotion in a row would be a monumental achievement for Wrexham, and fans will be discussing their nominations for Player of the Season soon enough.
Mullin has been on an incredible run of three Player of the Season awards in a row, setting a new Wrexham record in the process.
The Wrexham striker will not add another win to that tally this season, though, and the stage is set for a brand new winner.
Ryan Barnett looked to be a strong contender earlier this season, but 2025 hasn’t been quite as impressive for the wing back.
Max Cleworth will be right in contention after a superb campaign at the back, whilst summer signing Ollie Rathbone has been simply exceptional in midfield.
Humphrey Ker has now told Fearless In Devotion that there are a number of contenders for the award this time around – including Eoghan O’Connell.
The Irishman has had some difficult games against Barnsley and Shrewsbury Town, resulting in a pair of 2-1 defeats for Wrexham.
Ker actually feels that this highlights just how good O’Connell is, as Wrexham’s defeats tend to come when the centre back is off his game.
Ker suggested that O’Connell has been ‘unbelievably good’ in other games and actually tidies up mistakes from other players, highlighting his importance to the Wrexham cause.
“It’s a tricky one, I think… unlike previous years, where it’s felt like there’s been a couple [of contenders], Mulls scoring a load of goals, or Andy Cannon last season was certainly in with a shout, he was brilliant, I think, this season, there are a few,” said Ker.
“I think Max [Cleworth], I think Eoghan O’Connell, I think Ollie Rathbone, I think Arthur [Okonkwo] is in with a shout, I think George Dobson started the season as a very strong one, then maybe had a period where he was in and out of the team a bit. I would not be sad at Max as Player of the Season and Arthur as Young Player of the Season.
“Here’s my sophisticated argument for Eoghan O’Connell; we’ve lost a couple of games this season because of Eoghan. I think Shrewsbury away and Barnsley away – he made a bit of a Horlicks.
“But that tells you when Eoghan is off it, we lose games. It speaks to how unbelievably good he has been in every other game that when other people make mistakes, someone else is there to cover up for them – probably Eoghan O’Connell.
“Plus I love him, he texts me lots of obscure Irish sitcom clips, that I’m a big fan of. I think Eoghan is an interesting shout because I think what people would maybe try and disqualify him for would be those couple of games,” he added.
Eoghan O’Connell has fended off Dan Scarr
O’Connell has been a key player since joining Wrexham from Charlton Athletic in 2023.
Wrexham still brought in a new centre back over the summer, though, as Dan Scarr arrived from Plymouth Argyle.
Scarr is an experienced defender at League One and Championship level, so he was brought in as serious competition for O’Connell.
The numbers tell the story, though; Scarr has only started nine League One games this season, compared to O’Connell’s 34.
Parkinson has put his trust in O’Connell, and, outside of a couple of games, the former Celtic man has repaid that faith.
O’Connell had to step up when Scarr arrived, and he has done so over the course of the season, with his impact in the heart of Wrexham’s back three going somewhat under the radar.