Phil Parkinson has been told he has two “invaluable” players who have been the “difference” for Wrexham this season.
Wrexham celebrated promotion to League One with a thumping 6-0 win over Forest Green Rovers last weekend.
Reaching the third tier for the first time since 2005 was an incredible achievement, celebrated by supporters across the globe and Phil Parkinson deserves huge credit.
Despite the huge budget Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have given him, he’s squeezed every inch out of his squad and created a great atmosphere in the dressing room, with Elliot Lee describing it as the best he’s been a part of.
Last summer, Parkinson made two huge additions to his dressing room and they’ve since played a major role in their promotion, on and off the pitch.
Two Wrexham players hailed as ‘invaluable’
McElhenney and Reynolds used their profile as global superstars and sold the Wrexham project to two former Premier League players.
James McClean was captured from Wigan Athletic and Steven Fletcher was acquired on a free transfer.
Attracting that duo showed their intent to escape League Two, as no other side in the division could pull off that calibre of signing.
| Premier League appearances | |
| James McClean | 158 |
| Steven Fletcher | 189 |
With 347 top-flight appearances combined and several hundred more at Championship level, Fletcher and McClean would bring invaluable experience to this Wrexham side.
Their impact this season proves it, with McClean starring as a left wing-back and midfielder while Fletcher has become a cult hero up top.
They’ve also brought unbelievable amounts of experience to the dressing and got the best out of their teammates, as explained by Nathan Salt on the Rob Ryan Red podcast.
“I think the experience of Fletcher and McClean has been invaluable,” he said. “I think that has really been a difference-maker this season. What they’ve given to the dressing room, I honestly think Andy Cannon’s bromance with James McClean has made him relax, made him a better player.”
Contract decision looms for Steven Fletcher and James McClean
McClean and Fletcher were only signed with a short-term thinking in mind and having helped guide Wrexham to League One, the majority want them to stay.
Fletcher sees his contract at the Racecourse Ground expire this summer, as does McClean, though he has a one-year extension that can be triggered.
It will be interesting to see what stance McElhenney and Reynolds take. McClean can still play a vital role for the Reds in League One, whereas Fletcher wouldn’t likely play as much, but what he brings to the dressing room makes up for it.