Wrexham are back in League One action on Thursday night as Birmingham City arrive at the STōK Cae Ras.
Playing back-to-back Thursdays is a slightly strange situation for Wrexham but everybody will be right up for this one.
Big-spending Birmingham City are the opponents in a top of the table clash with Wrexham sitting third.
A Wrexham win can close the gap to Birmingham to just two points and everybody wants a fierce response from Phil Parkinson’s side.
Wrexham were flat in last week’s 2-1 defeat at Shrewsbury Town and a much better performance is now needed.
Parkinson has now named his starting XI and substitutes against the Blues, so let’s take a look at who will be donning the famous red shirt tonight.
Wrexham confirmed XI v Birmingham City
There is no major surprise in goal as Arthur Okonkwo starts between the sticks once gain.
Max Cleworth and Tom O’Connor keep their places in the back three but there is a change in the middle of defence.
Eoghan O’Connell had a nightmare against Shrewsbury and boyhood Birmingham fan Dan Scarr comes into the side.
George Dobson returns to the starting lineup, joining Matty James and Ollie Rathbone in the engine room.
Ryan Barnett and James McClean both start as wing backs whilst Elliot Lee supports Ollie Palmer up top.
That means Paul Mullin is only on the bench once again, joining Mark Howard, Eoghan O’Connell, Sebastian Revan, Andy Cannon, Steven Fletcher and Jack Marriott.
Instant reaction to Wrexham starting XI
Last week’s performance was just so poor that changes had to be made.
Nobody likes to see a player dropped after a poor performance but O’Connell’s poor display meant he was always under threat.
Scarr now comes into the side for his first league start since the 1-0 defeat at Stockport County in November.
Scarr grew up supporting Birmingham and had a spell with the club earlier in his career, so he will be desperate to shine.
Parkinson has kept with the 3-5-1-1 system which sees Lee operating just behind Palmer.
Matty James has been excellent since joining Wrexham but maybe wasn’t at his best against Shrewsbury.
Bringing in George Dobson to replace him would have made sense but Parkinson has decided to name both of them in the side.
There will be real impetus on Ollie Rathbone to support the attack whilst Ollie Palmer returns.
Steven Fletcher has been in great goalscoring form lately but he is back on the bench – arguably where he does his best work.
Fletcher, Paul Mullin and Jack Marriott offer great attacking options from the bench whilst former Aston Villa talent Sebastian Revan will be ready to go if McClean can’t last the full 90 minutes.