Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has backed his own team to secure promotion this season, and pins those hopes on one key factor that works in their benefit.
It’s easy to forget that just two years ago Wrexham were still in the National League, and now, the Red Dragons are pushing for a third-successive promotion and have the Championship in their sights.
Phil Parkinson and the Wrexham owners have worked wonders at the club, helping it constantly evolve and improve over the last few years to keep competing with every new challenge they face.
While more obstacles stand in the way of Wrexham’s latest promotion push, there are plenty of things working in their favour, and Parkinson is clearly feeling confident.
Phil Parkinson believes previous success can feed Wrexham’s promotion charge
Speaking to the press (via The Leader), the Wrexham manager was discussing his side’s credentials in the title race, and suggested their recent success in the National League and League Two can help breed more success this year.
He said: “I always feel that if you have got players who have been course and distance promotion winners, it helps because you’ve got to know what it takes. Obviously we’ve done that, we’ve got people who’ve been there before and we must utilise that experience every single day in training and every single game.
“I feel we’ve done that so far this season. It’s been a great challenge and we’ve really enjoyed being in this league. The club has progressed so quickly through the divisions, this is obviously another level but you can see the athleticism of the players; everything has got to go up, you’ve got to improve every area and we have done that so far.”
Wrexham will surely be leaning on the likes of Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, and Elliot Lee who have all achieved success with the club already, and more experienced heads like James McClean and Steven Fletcher who have obviously played at a higher level before, to guide them through this all-important second half of the campaign.
Wrexham have to be considered favourites for promotion
It would be foolish to think that anyone but Birmingham are going to win the League One title this season. The Blues have invested heavily, and have one major advantage over Wrexham — they’re just as good away as they are at home.
But, with Wycombe Wanderers losing Matt Bloomfield, and key players also being recalled from the club this month, it is not unthinkable to predict a drop-off from the unlikely promotion-chasers as the season wears on.
| Pos | Team | Played | W | D | L | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | 23 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 53 |
| 2 | Wycombe | 25 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 51 |
| 3 | Wrexham | 25 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 51 |
| 4 | Huddersfield | 24 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 18 | 47 |
| 5 | Barnsley | 25 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 42 |
| 6 | Reading | 24 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 41 |
That would leave Huddersfield as the main promotion rivals for Wrexham as they chase a top-two finish this season.
But, given Wrexham’s financial power in the transfer market, and the incredible spirit of the team, one would imagine the Red Dragons do indeed have what it takes to go all the way again this year.