Wrexham are looking to bounce back after defeat to Leyton Orient and Phil Parkinson may need to think outside of the box.
Wrexham were hoping to make it five wins in a row in all competitions when Leyton Orient arrived at the STōK Cae Ras on Tuesday.
Ollie Rathbone’s goalscoring talent was on show as Wrexham took an early lead, but Orient scored twice to secure a 2-1 away win.
That momentum Wrexham had built up in response to losing to Stevenage has now gone.
Phil Parkinson will though be looking for another reaction from his players in this weekend’s trip to face Mansfield Town.
Wrexham must hit back and the flat nature of the second-half performance against Orient should bring changes.
Phil Parkinson must consider James McClean switch
This time last year, Parkinson moved James McClean into central midfield and almost immediately reaped the rewards.
McClean scored in a 1-1 draw at Milton Keynes Dons and stayed in the middle of the pitch, freeing up Jacob Mendy to play at left wing back.
The Irishman returned to left wing back and has largely stayed in that role ever since but it may be time for Parkinson to think about that idea again.
Rathbone is in superb form right now but Matty James and George Dobson alongside him just didn’t offer the attacking thrust against Orient.
Elliot Lee’s absence has left Wrexham lacking in attacking quality from midfield and Parkinson surely can’t go with James and Dobson together again this weekend.
They both have their qualities but neither are known for being threatening around the box.
McClean has chipped in with three goals and four assists this season with his ability to attack the ball in the area on show.
The Wrexham skipper would no doubt do a job wherever Parkinson asked him to play, but with more attacking quality needed in the engine room as Lee heals up, McClean should become an appealing option there once again.
McClean switch would open room for Ryan Longman
Another benefit to playing McClean in central midfield is that Wrexham are blessed with options at left wing back.
Sebastian Revan and Jacob Mendy are both natural options in that area of the pitch and will be knocking on the door for a start.
We would love to see Wrexham’s January signing Ryan Longman receive a chance on the left flank though.
Longman has played at left wing back in the past and would be no stranger to that role.
The former Brighton and Hove Albion talent has looked bright in his early weeks at Wrexham and handing him a start against Mansfield would provide real attacking threat.
Longman and Ryan Barnett as wing backs could be a devastating combination and after Tuesday’s flat defeat, Wrexham fans will expect some bold changes this weekend.