Wrexham picked up all three points on Saturday afternoon, beating Rotherham United 1-0 at the STōK Cae Ras thanks to Sam Smith’s goal.
Wrexham continue the chase for promotion to the Championship with Saturday’s clash against Rotherham United a key step in the journey.
Phil Parkinson saw Wrexham beat Huddersfield Town 1-0 in midweek but had to back it up against Rotherham United.
This wasn’t a classic but Wrexham secured a 1-0 win over Rotherham as January signing Sam Smith scored the only goal.
Smith celebrated his birthday in style, scoring his first goal at the STōK Cae Ras following his seven-figure arrival.
That is now three clean sheets in a row for Wrexham, bouncing back well after the EFL Trophy nightmare against Peterborough United.
Phil Parkinson praises Wrexham midfielder
Saturday’s game saw two brothers lock horns.
Matty James started in Wrexham’s midfield with brother Reece James starting at left back for Rotherham.
It was Wrexham who came on top, giving Matty some bragging rights over his younger brother.
Speaking to The Athletic after the final whistle, Parkinson heaped praise on midfielder James for his performance and his continued impact at Wrexham.
Parkinson suggested that James has been ‘really, really good’ in terms of his tactical awareness and knowhow on the pitch.
The Wrexham boss feels that James has been a ‘terrific’ signing for Wrexham, believing that his attitude to the pressure around the club is perfect.
“Matty has great experience and knowhow on the pitch,” said Parkinson.
“Once he signed, we then had to get him ready. Even though he’d been training at Leicester, he still hadn’t had the game time he needed.
“But, since he came into the team, his tactical awareness and ability to sort problems out on the pitch is really, really good. You see how he organises others around him and that’s very, very valuable to have in any team.”
“We knew he was a great lad before we brought him in. But since he’s been here, he has brought a calmness to the group. When you have players who have played on a bigger stage — Matty played in the Premier League, plus the Championship for many years — they are used to dealing with the pressures and big expectations.
“The Wrexham expectation is something he enjoys. We need players who revel in the pressure and expectancy that comes when you’re near the top of the league. He has been a terrific signing for us,” he added.
Matty James leaves Parkinson with midfield decisions
Parkinson is clearly a big fan of James and his belief that Wrexham landed a coup is somewhat backed up by Championship interest.
James had been eyed by Leeds United before joining Wrexham with Coventry City interested too.
Wrexham ended up getting the deal done and Parkinson is delighted with his impact.
Parkinson may well face some tricky decisions on his midfield setup moving forward though.
Wrexham’s play through the middle of the pitch is a little safe when James and George Dobson both play, and Elliot Lee’s return suggests that it may be a case of just one of them starting rather than both.
Ollie Rathbone is almost undroppable at this point and that may mean that James and Dobson split time as Wrexham’s holding midfielder in the final stages of the season.