Phil Parkinson has been discussing two key factors that will help Wrexham in their quest to secure promotion from League One.
When the 2024/25 campaign got underway, it seemed unlikely that Wrexham would be anywhere near the top end of the table.
Humphrey Ker wanted a Phil Parkinson statute built if the Red Dragons finished anywhere higher than mid-table.
As the season draws to a close, however, it is probably fair to say that Wrexham are very likely to win promotion this season.
The Welsh outfit face Exeter City on March 29th, going into that fixture three points clear of third-place Wycombe Wanderers.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Birmingham | 36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 59 | 24 | 35 | 83 |
| 2 | Wrexham | 38 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 52 | 30 | 22 | 74 |
| 3 | Wycombe | 37 | 20 | 11 | 6 | 64 | 36 | 28 | 71 |
| 4 | Charlton | 38 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 49 | 35 | 14 | 66 |
| 5 | Stockport | 38 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 53 | 35 | 18 | 65 |
| 6 | Huddersfield | 37 | 18 | 7 | 12 | 52 | 34 | 18 | 61 |
Right now, Wycombe have a game in hand to play out and could still retake second place in the coming weeks.
Wrexham advantage in League One promotion race
However, the Chairboys still have to play a number of the play-off-chasing teams in their final nine matches of 2024/25.
| Game | Wrexham | Wycombe |
| 38 | Stockport County (H) – 22/03/25 (1-0 win) | Lincoln City (H) – 29/03/25 |
| 39 | Exeter City (A) – 29/03/25 | Shrewsbury (H) – 01/04/25 |
| 40 | Cambridge United (A) – 01/04/25 | Reading (A) – 05/04/25 |
| 41 | Burton Albion (H) – 05/04/25 | Huddersfield (A) – 08/04/25 |
| 42 | Wigan Athletic (A) – 12/04/25 | Stevenage (H) – 12/04/25 |
| 43 | Bristol Rovers (H) – 18/04/25 | Bolton (A) – 18/04/25 |
| 44 | Blackpool (A) – 21/04/25 | Charlton (H) – 21/04/25 |
| 45 | Charlton (H) – 26/04/25 | Leyton Orient (A) – 26/04/25 |
| 46 | Lincoln City (A) – 03/05/25 | Stockport County (H) – 03/05/25 |
Aside from Wrexham probably having a much kinder run-in, Parkinson has also named two advantages that will help the club secure promotion.
As per Leader Live, the manager was quick to mention all the club’s staff who have been in this situation before, as well as the experienced players they have.
He said: “I think having staff who’ve been in this situation before certainly helps and having players who’ve got that experience of these games.
“We’re enjoying them because that’s what we’ve worked so hard since day one of pre-season to get to this stage of the season.
“If you look at the energy of the lads against Stockport, you could sense that they’re really ready for this challenge of these next eight games.
“There’s a lot of football to be played but this has helped us on our way.”
Phil Parkinson praises experienced Wrexham duo
One player who has been pivotal to Wrexham’s success in the last year or so is Eoghan O’Connell.
The stopper has become a key figure in the club’s backline, which is one of the best in the division.
O’Connell is playing alongside young centre-backs Max Cleworth and Lewis Brunt, with Parkinson grateful of the support both he and Matty James offer the pair.
He said: “Strong in the air when he had to be, he was calm in possession and he [O’Connell] stepped into things, particularly in the second-half.
“He showed good leadership qualities because Max and Brunty alongside him are quite young, and he has got a young goalkeeper [Arthur Okonkwo] behind him, and his experience and Matty James in front of him were brilliant.”