Wrexham have had a great summer window but not all of their signings are performing well.
The Red Dragons got the majority of their summer transfer business done ahead of the 2024/25 League One season getting underway.
Phil Parkinson has, so far, made seven first-team additions to his squad in the last couple of months.
Arthur Okonkwo has been backed to succeed after he signed for the Welsh outfit on a permanent basis this summer following a successful loan spell in 2024/25.
Elsewhere, after joining from Aston Villa, Sebastian Revan has blown away Parkinson following his starring display when Wrexham drew 0-0 with Bolton Wanderers last week.
The League One outfit’s transfer business has slowed in the last couple of weeks but Wrexham have broken their transfer record for Ollie Rathbone, who joined from Rotherham United.
After signing, big things were expected of the midfielder, especially given the sum paid for him.
Phil Parkinson is wasting Ollie Rathbone at Wrexham
Rathbone was not signed in time to feature in the opening-day win against Wycombe Wanderers.
He made his debut in the League Cup, featuring for 62 minutes as Wrexham lost 4-2 vs Sheffield United.
The 27-year-old then came on for the final 11 minutes of the club’s 0-0 draw with Bolton last weekend.
Following that game, journalist Nathan Salt, speaking on the Rob. Ryan. Red podcast, stated his belief that Parkinson should not be using Rathbone, who he dubbed ‘super valuable’, in his current role.
He said: “I know it’s super early and I do think his energy is going to be superb valuable but I don’t think Ollie Rathbone is working as this kind of second forward, second striker.
“There’s got to be a better role to maximise Ollie Rathbone rather than sticking him up front, there has to be.”
Where should Phil Parkinson use Ollie Rathbone
Rathbone being Wrexham’s record signing means Parkinson needs to use him, but it is hard to see a natural place for him in this team right now.
The Englishman is a versatile midfielder who can play all through the middle, hence why Parkinson deployed him slightly further forward against Sheffield United.
However, Rathbone spent the majority of 2023/24 playing and excelling as a proper central midfielder.
But Wrexham already have three quality options in that area. Elliott Lee is the more creative midfielder and is practically undroppable.
Further back, George Dobson and Andy Cannon have both played very well in the club’s opening few games of the campaign.
Rathbone will get minutes this season, but he may be forced to take a back seat in the early months of 2024/25 while Parkinson figures out his best role.