Phil Parkinson has now been told to get the best out of striker Paul Mullin he must unleash Ollie Palmer alongside him.
Wrexham’s form dropping off a cliff has coincided with the goals drying up for talismanic striker Paul Mullin.
The 29-year-old scored his first goal in eight League Two matches last time out, winning and slotting home a last-gasp penalty to salvage a point against Forest Green Rovers.
That run was the longest he’d gone in a Wrexham shirt without scoring and supporters will now be hoping his strike on Tuesday night can inspire a rich vein of goalscoring form.
Phil Parkinson rarely switches from a two-striker formation, although the players he starts in those positions are anyone’s guess having constantly chopped and changed.
With Steven Fletcher, Sam Dalby, Jack Marriott, Mullin and Ollie Palmer to choose from, picking his preferred strike force has become a hapless task.
Phil Parkinson told unleashing Ollie Palmer next to Paul Mullin would do ‘wonders’
Palmer hasn’t started a game for Wrexham since a 2-2 draw against Harrogate Town in December last year, whereas Parkinson’s four other options have begun multiple.
It’s become increasingly clear that he doesn’t see the 32-year-old as a long-term part of his plans, although he has often changed the game when he has been given an opportunity from the bench.
Meanwhile, his partnership with Mullin in the National League last season saw the duo plunder 56 goals between them.
Journalist Rich Fay believes that unleashing Palmer alongside the aforementioned Mullin would do wonders for Wrexham.
Speaking on the Rob Ryan Red podcast, he said: “When Palmer came in Mullin became such a better player because Palmer was doing the dirty work, and it meant Mullin could get the ball inbetween the posts. I think having that partnership back for this weekend could do Wrexham wonders really.”
Why Ollie Palmer deserves to start v Accrington Stanley
In the 15 matches Palmer has started this term, Wrexham are yet to lose a game and throwing him in from the off could be the catalyst for improved performances from Mullin.
When the Reds record signing plays, he runs himself into the ground, drags defenders into channels and imposes himself physically on the pitch.
At a time when Wrexham have failed to make it stick up front and show a bit of guile in the final third, the inclusion of Palmer could tick those boxes.
It’s those willing runs and hard graft that can open space up centrally for Mullin and that is where he is at his most deadly, as long as service into the box is good.
The only reason against including Palmer is the form of Fletcher.
He’s returned seven goals in 21 appearances this term and scored the acrobatic winner against Notts County nearly two weeks ago.
But after starting two matches in the space of three days, perhaps Parkinson should rest the 36-year-old and start Palmer instead.