Wrexham are back in the League One automatic promotion spots after beating Stockport County on Saturday afternoon.
Wrexham secured a fourth win in the last five games by beating Stockport County – and all of those wins have been by a 1-0 scoreline.
Stockport were the victims this weekend as Jay Rodriguez made himself Wrexham’s hero with the winning goal.
Rodriguez saw his first-half penalty saved by Corey Addai but the Wrexham striker reacted quickly to score.
Rodriguez celebrated his first Wrexham goal having waited patiently to find the net since his January move from Burnley.
Paul Merson praised Rodriguez for his quick reaction as he secured another three points for Wrexham.
Phil Parkinson on Jay Rodriguez
Wrexham fans remain unconvinced by Rodriguez and converting a saved penalty on the rebound may not convince his doubters.
Boss Phil Parkinson has defended Rodriguez throughout though and has now commented on the Wrexham striker’s latest display.
Speaking on Wrexham’s official YouTube channel, Parkinson praised Rodriguez for working ‘tirelessly’ for the Wrexham team in and out of possession.
Parkinson added that Rodriguez is a ‘great character’ but understands that strikers are ultimately judged on goals.
Parkinson has been telling Rodriguez to just keep making a positive contribution for Wrexham whether it’s through goals or his all-round play.
The Wrexham boss clearly feels that Rodriguez has been doing just that, helping Wrexham win four of the last five.
“Jay has worked tirelessly for the team, with the ball and out of possession as well,” said Parkinson.
“He’s a great character to have around but, of course, all strikers want to score. We’ve just been speaking to him about making sure he keeps contributing so we win games of football and we have been doing that, but of course, that moment is key for him and the lads are obviously delighted for him because he deserved it,” he added.
Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer continue to be a shadow over Jay Rodriguez
Fans want to see any January signing hit the ground running – especially a new striker.
That was the hope when Rodriguez arrived, especially given his history as a Premier League striker and a former England international.
Rodriguez has only just found his first goal though and the questions over his performances are always going to come when Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer are on the sidelines.
Mullin and Palmer haven’t played a single minute of League One football since Rodriguez and Sam Smith arrived at the end of the January transfer window.
Parkinson addressed the Mullin and Palmer situation by suggesting that they are just fighting for their places.
Many Wrexham fans believe that their striking heroes are ultimately on the way out and that just ramps up that pressure on Rodriguez to perform.
Saturday’s goal will hopefully allow Rodriguez to build momentum and find some goals – and just lift that shadow of the Mullin and Palmer speculation away from him.