Wrexham’s remarkable rise from the National League to the League One automatic promotion places has been well documented, with Phil Parkinson playing a crucial role.
Parkinson has the trust of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, ever since they appointed the experienced English manager in 2021.
He has more than repaid them in that time, guiding the club into the football league, followed by Wrexham’s promotion from League Two last season.
Parkinson now has the Welsh club competing for a spot in the Championship after Wrexham’s win over Lincoln City took them into second place in League One.
With Wrexham not having a match this week due to their FA Cup defeat to Harrogate Town, there has been time to reflect on the recent season’s achievement, leading to one summer signing revealing how impressed he has been with Parkinson’s work at the Red Dragons.
George Dobson on the ‘winning’ mentality created by Parkinson
Speaking to the BBC, summer signing George Dobson was immediately impressed by the mentality created at Wrexham by Parkinson. Something that will aid the Wrexham squad in their quest for League One promotion.
Dobson said: “It’s a group of winners, the team is used to winning. When you’ve got that momentum, it’s massive.
“You look at the group, it’s vastly experienced. There are players that have played higher, there are players that have played a lot of games at this level and just know how to win. We know if we stick to our game plan and if we’re at it, more than not we’ll win the game.”
Such confidence in the Wrexham manager’s game plan must ease the pressure on Dobson, who has praised Parkinson’s tactics in recent weeks.
Whether Wrexham can achieve promotion this season remains to be seen, but Parkinson’s tactics will keep them within a shout through the run-in.
Wrexham’s consecutive victories show Parkinson’s flexibility
In Wrexham’s 3-0 win against Exeter, Parkinson’s ability to exploit his wing-backs was evident throughout the game.
Ryan Barnett crossed for Ollie Palmer for the game’s second goal, whilst left wing-back James McClean produced a brilliant corner for Ollie Rathbone’s header in the second half.
Whereas, on Tuesday, Wrexham had to produce a more controlled performance to secure all three points. Dominating possession, Dobson and the Red Dragons’ midfield won the majority of their duels, alongside Rathbone and Dobson completing 15 recoveries between them.
Clearly, Parkinson and his Wrexham coaching staff’s ability to remain tactically flexible has impressed Dobson and will give the Red Dragons their best chance at a third consecutive promotion.