Wrexham’s push towards the Championship continues having beaten Huddersfield Town 1-0 away from home on Tuesday night.
Wrexham drew 0-0 with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon and were looking to continue some strong away form at Huddersfield Town.
Tuesday’s clash was far from a classic but Wrexham got the job done, securing a 1-0 victory thanks to Steven Fletcher’s winner.
Huddersfield boss Michael Duff claimed that Wrexham offered ‘nothing’ going forward and that Fletcher’s goal should not have stood.
Wrexham won’t care one bit though with Tuesday’s victory keeping the pressure on Wycombe Wanderers, who beat Burton Albion 2-0.
Wrexham remain two points away from an automatic promotion spot with big games to come.
Phil Parkinson praises Jay Rodriguez
Fletcher was the match-winner once again, as he has been on so many occasions this season.
Phil Parkinson praised Fletcher as ‘almost unplayable’ as a substitute and he proved that right once again on Tuesday.
The Scot came off the bench to replace Jay Rodriguez, who is still waiting for his first Wrexham goal.
Rodriguez said goodbye to hometown club Burnley in order to join the Wrexham project under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
So far though, Wrexham fans have been left unconvinced with Rodriguez unable to make a big impact in the final third.
Parkinson has now praised the veteran striker though, telling The Athletic that he feels both Rodriguez and Smith were brilliant against Huddersfield.
Parkinson pointed to the tactical awareness of both players whilst highlighting that Rodriguez has played at the ‘top level’ of the game.
The Wrexham boss added that Rodriguez is ‘brilliant’ in terms of pressing and closing space, believing that his partnership with Smith is growing.
“Sam and Jay give us a platform to play,” said Parkinson. “We can get the ball into Jay’s feet, (while) Sam is good at stretching it. But also their tactical awareness without the ball was brilliant against Huddersfield.
“Jay has obviously played at the top level and the detail in the way he presses and covers space is brilliant. It helps the midfield so much. They are getting better all the time as a combination.
“I was very pleased with them both. As much as they didn’t get the moment (every striker craves by scoring), they so nearly did. Jay had a brilliant shot, Sam had a header. But the main thing is they played well to enable to team to get the result,” he added.
Rodriguez start at Wrexham reminiscent of Jack Marriott
Wrexham fans slated Rodriguez for his performance against Huddersfield, believing that he offered nothing in attack.
Parkinson clearly didn’t agree though and saw positive signs from Rodriguez – especially off the ball.
The 35-year-old is still finding his feet at Wrexham and in League One, and if he needs any inspiration then Jack Marriott can provide it.
Marriott joined Wrexham late in the January transfer window last year, just like Rodriguez did this year.
Marriott struggled to make an impact and ended the season with just one Wrexham goal to his name.
A full pre-season really helped Marriott settle down and start this season brilliantly, changing opinions in the Wrexham fanbase.
Rodriguez may now need to do the same, but will hope to make a big impact yet this season as Wrexham chase promotion.