Wrexham will have ambitions of achieving a third successive promotion but they have now been shut down by a talkSPORT pundit.
Wrexham supporters continue to pinch themselves as their journey over the past few years has been phenomenal.
From rarely experiencing to success to it becoming the norm, fans are still riding a crest of their back-to-back promotions, which have seen them go from the National League to League One.
The main architects behind their achievements have been Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, who have transformed the entire town of Wrexham.
The Hollywood duo are extremely ambitious and at the end of last season, Reynolds said he would do whatever it takes to get the Welsh outfit into the Championship.
That claim has been reinforced by their business in the window, bringing in six new players, including League One stalwarts George Dobson and Dan Scarr.
It’s a talented squad that Parkinson has assembled but that hasn’t stopped many having doubts over their credentials.
Adrian Durham believes League One is Wrexham’s level
Although Wrexham are gearing up for a remarkable third successive promotion, talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham believes the Reds must temper their expectations.
Durham – a fan of fellow League One side Peterborough United – thinks Wrexham have reached their level in the third tier as the landscape of the division has changed completely since Parkinson won promotion with Bolton in 2017.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “Their ability to keep getting promoted reaches a certain point. They will hit their levels and I think this is it.”
“[Manager Phil Parkinson] was promoted seven years ago from that division with Bolton. But the landscape has changed. It’s harder. Teams are playing more football for a start.
“The quality of players has improved, the quality of teams has improved. The qualities of managers has improved.
“Reading last season for example, they had a manager [Ruben Selles] who was in the Premier League the season before which is madness, but finished 17th [with points deductions].”
Wrexham must stabilise in League One
Reynolds and McElhenney may expect the Reds to challenge at the top end of the division but League One is a completely different kettle of fish to where they’ve come from.
They’re competing against big clubs such as Birmingham City, who have flexed their £20 million budget this summer and the likes of Huddersfield, Peterborough, Bolton and Rotherham.
Wrexham could find it hard to challenge against those clubs who are established and spent more than them this summer, with Parkinson mainly using the free market to sign players.
Of course, it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that the Reds challenge for the playoffs – or even the top two – but if they don’t, it isn’t the end of the world.
Humphrey Ker, Wrexham’s executive director, has said previously that he would snap his hand off for a mid-table finish.
That would be a good season for the Welsh outfit, who should stabilise at this level for a few seasons before mounting a serious push for the Championship.