Some previous comments made by Nathan Jones have told Phil Parkinson exactly why he must sign his ‘excellent’ Wrexham target.
The blow of losing Paul Mullin to injury is unable to erase the feel-good factor surrounding Wrexham at the moment, with the club continuing to make positive strides this summer.
Wrexham have secured two excellent captures by landing goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and centre-back Lewis Brunt – with Phil Parkinson expecting further players through the door very soon.
That news is supplemented by the Reds tying down some of their most invaluable assets to new contracts. George Evans signed a new two-year deal on Tuesday while Max Cleworth put pen to paper on a three-year contract on Thursday.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds looking ahead to the future evokes positivity around the Racecourse Ground while Nathan Jones’ previous comments on a current Wrexham target will please supporters.
Nathan Jones has already told Wrexham why they should sign Joe Morrell
Reports linked Welsh international midfielder Joe Morrell with a move to Wrexham in the middle of June.
The Reds were said to be an ‘admirer’ of the 27-year-old, who had just achieved a title-winning campaign with Portsmouth in League One.
Interest in the all-action midfielder surfaced as Morrell was coming to the end of his contract at Fratton Park, and with no signs of him renewing, he took to social media on Tuesday to announce his departure from the club.
That has opened the door for Wrexham to pounce and capture the experienced midfielder on a free transfer. Morrell played 27 times in the third tier last term as Pompey finished in first position, and the man who managed him at Luton Town, Nathan Jones, has previously praised the Welshman.
Speaking in 2021, the current Charlton boss said: “Joe does what he does well, he can control the game and give you that security in possession, other stuff he needs to work on so he becomes a top Championship player.
“In that role you need to be defensively excellent, Joe is better in possession than he is out, same as other players are better out of possession than they are in, and it’s just that work to get them up to the level.”
Jones explained how the midfielder is better in possession than he is out but since making those comments, Morrell has made significant strides defensively.
Joe Morrell can give Wrexham extra control in midfield
With the likes of Evans, Andy Cannon, Elliot Lee and James McClean to choose from at present, Wrexham look well-stocked in midfield.
However, judging by the links to various midfielders – including Brighton’s Marc Leonard and Morrell himself – Parkinson wants to add extra quality to his engine room.
In League One, the Reds will have less control of possession, especially against the better sides, and they’ll need players capable of winning the ball back.
Morrell proved last term that he possesses an abundance of grit and determination, winning the second most tackles in the Pompey squad (2.4) and the third most interceptions (1.1) while recovering possession on average five times a game.
Such ball-winning attributes will be sought after alongside the Rolls Royce Evans and attacking supremo Lee, who can complement a perfect blend of energy, tenacity and quality in the final third.