Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has made this underdog prediction ahead of the Red Dragons’ 2024/25 League One campaign.
It will be a tough test in the coming campaign as Wrexham returns to League One action for the first time in 19 years.
Since the Hollywood takeover, Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have overseen a massive turn up in success with back-to-back promotions with manager Phil Parkinson.
The former Sunderland boss has vast experience in League One and is aware of the challenge that lies ahead for the North Wales side.
The 56-year-old coach is pleased with his squad, but after recent transfer talks with the owners, the former Bradford City coach has revealed he is keen to add further signings in the window.
The club have already snapped up Leicester City defender Lewis Brunt, Arthur Okonkwo, George Dobson, Callum Burton, and Sebastian Revan.
As Wrexham nears the end of their pre-season tour with the Red Dragons set to take on MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday, the manager has revealed his thoughts on the challenge that awaits his side.
Phil Parkinson claims Wrexham are underdogs in League One
It has been an exciting journey for the Wrexham faithful with a rapid rise from the National League to League One.
The coming season will be the toughest test with some huge clubs set to play at the Racecourse with the likes of Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, and Huddersfield Town all expected to be challenging for promotion to the Championship.
With the season rapidly approaching, Parkinson has offered his thoughts on the coming campaign.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference for the Vancouver Whitecaps fixture, the Red Dragons boss said: “It’s something we’ve spoken about, playing the underdog card, because there are some huge clubs who have spent an awful lot of money already in this transfer window.
“Whereas last year we went to grounds where everyone wanted to beat us, we were the big team coming into town.
“It’s going to be different and the advantage of that is there is a lot of expectancy on teams in League One, with Birmingham, Bolton, Charlton, and teams like that with Huddersfield and plenty more who will be expected to be right at the top of the league.
“We’re building a squad, we’ve got work to do but we’re getting there.
” We want to be as competitive as we possibly can be because it’s great for the club that we’re back in this division for the first time in 19 years, and everybody is excited about getting back into League One.”
League One set to be a tough test for Wrexham
The North Wales side has been seriously impressive in recent seasons with Parkinson keen to be competitive in the coming campaign.
With Wrexham’s reputation growing there will always be more joy for opposition fans to beat the Red Dragons even if the club are the underdogs this year.
Expectations will be lower this year due to the big challenge of being able to match the quality of League One. The club are making all efforts to improve the squad to ease the transition, but top clubs that have recently dropped down from the Championship have big spending power, which will be a new test for the Wrexham ownership.
The dressing room will be keen to show its quality in the higher division and the Red Dragons could again show the progress that they are making in the EFL.
Parkinson will want his side to push themselves and finish as high as they can in the league, but realises the tough challenge that awaits his side in the 2024/25 campaign.