Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has now been told one of his rarely-seen players could actually ‘surprise’ people in League One.
Wrexham began their pre-season with a comfortable 5-1 win over non-league side Hanley Town and several fringe players were given a run out.
Although supporters got to see new signings Arthur Okonkwo and George Dobson in action, fans were also intrigued as to which of the fringe players would impress the most.
Whilst it’s difficult to judge given it’s pre-season and the standard of opposition played a part, Jordan Davies took his chance in midfield by scoring a brace, while fringe strikers Sam Dalby and Jake Bickerstaff got their names on the scoresheet.
When looking around the rest of the starting XI for both halves, there was another player who impressed on the afternoon and could play a part for the Reds in League One.
Wrexham midfielder James Jones could surprise many people in League One
The position in Wrexham’s squad that is inarguably filled with the most quality is midfield, as Phil Parkinson has the likes of George Evans, James McClean, Elliot Lee, Andy Cannon, Jordan Davies and most recently, George Dobson to select from.
James Jones, meanwhile, is another option at the manager’s disposal but talk of him playing has gone under the radar as injury kept him out for the final 15 games of the League Two campaign.
Despite injury denying him the chance to play during the run-in, the 28-year-old still scored four goals in his 23 outings in the league. It’s less than the 81 appearances he managed in the previous two National League campaigns but with a full pre-season injury-free, Jones could ‘surprise’ a few people in the third tier.
That is what journalist Nathan Salt thinks, who was left impressed by the Scotsman when discussing his performance following the 5-1 win over Hanley.
Speaking on the Rob Ryan Red podcast, Salt said: “I was really impressed with James Jones actually, that was what I was saying to people around me.
“This idea that he might be, the weakest link is the wrong phase but might be bottom of the pecking order in terms of the midfield options because you’ve gone and signed Dobson, you’ve got Evans, Cannon, Lee.
“To say he’s only above Davies, or whatever, we don’t know how it’s going to shake out, I think James Jones proved he’s got great fitness, great energy, he linked up really well with Barnett down the right side in the first half and I think he could surprise a few people.
“I think he’s got a lot to offer, even though there’s all these other players who are jockeying for position.”
What James Jones can offer Wrexham in League One
Although Jones is highly rated by Parkinson, the former Lincoln City midfielder is fighting for his long-term future at the Racecourse Ground.
Jones is one of 14 in the Wrexham squad who see their contract expire in 2025 and depending on how the next season plans out, it could be make or break for the midfielder.
In terms of what he can offer Parkinson in the third tier, he could be invaluable in the system deployed as it will require a lot of energy and tenacity to get around the pitch.
Whilst Parkinson leans on Dobson and Evans to win possession back with Cannon and Lee providing quality in the final third, Jones is one player who never stops running and that is a vital component in any engine room.
He’s not necessarily the most flashy player, or capable of conjuring moments of brilliance, but in matches where Wrexham are soaking up pressure and needing to hit teams on the counter, the former Scotland under-21 international could flourish alongside the likes of Lee and Dobson.
Of course, he’ll have to bide his time for opportunities with the competition ahead of him however, there’s no reason why he can’t play a part next season.