Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has shared his view on goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo after his performance against Derby County.
Wrexham drew 1-1 with Derby County on Saturday afternoon, putting another point on the board in the Championship.
Lewis O’Brien avoided a first-half red card and then popped up with a fine header to put Wrexham 1-0 up.
Wrexham couldn’t secure all three points, though, as Ben Brereton Diaz equalised from range for the Rams.
Phil Parkinson on Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo
Wrexham will take a point, and look ahead to Tuesday night’s trip to face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
Former Foxes goalkeeper Danny Ward is out through injury, meaning Arthur Okonkwo is set to start in goal once again.
Okonkwo has been questioned of late, with the Wrexham stopper still looking to recapture his form from last season.
Okonkwo made some fine saves against Derby, though, including a double save in the second half, which proved crucial.
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has now praised Okonkwo while speaking to BBC Sport, believing that the goalkeeper has ‘grown into the division’.
Parkinson explained that Okonkwo lost his place in the team earlier this season simply because Ward was more ready for Championship action.
Parkinson added that Okonkwo is ‘improving game by game’ and turned in his best display of the season on Saturday.
“We’ve got to remember [Okonkwo’s impact] because as much as we’re saying we’re disappointed we haven’t won, Arthur’s pulled off two great saves,” said Parkinson.
“He’s a player who has grown into the division. He didn’t get the number one jersey at the start because I felt Wardy was more ready. But Arthur is now improving game by game, and that was certainly his best display. I’m pleased for him,” he added.
Ben Brereton Diaz on Arthur Okonkwo
Okonkwo produced two exceptional saves, but Derby forward Ben Brereton Diaz admitted spotting a slight error.
Speaking on Derby’s official website, Brereton Diaz noted that he spotted Okonkwo slightly out of position.
Brereton Diaz thought Okonkwo was ‘unsure’ of his positioning and went for goal, taking full advantage.
“I saw the keeper a bit unsure with where his goal was, so I thought, why not?” said Brereton.
“I knew straight away that it was a one-v-one. I think it was me and Dom [Hyam]. I just thought ‘a good touch here and the goal will open up’. As soon as I looked up, the keeper was a bit off his line and a bit to his near post,” he added.
No Wrexham fan will hold that against Okonkwo, but it may just be another aspect to look at in his development moving forward.