Phil Parkinson has been told one of his Wrexham players isn’t ‘good enough’ for League One.
Wrexham finished second in League Two last season and secured consecutive promotions for the first time in their history.
Arthur Okonkwo was praised for his cat-like reflexes in between the sticks, Elliot Lee garnered positive reviews for decimating defences from midfield and goal-machine Paul Mullin did what he does best – score goals.
A player who quietly went under the radar, though, was left-back Jacob Mendy.
The 27-year-old shared his wing-back role with James McClean and made 31 appearances in League Two.
Although McClean was often preferred in that position, once the Irishman moved into midfield, Mendy was allowed to flourish, producing five assists.
Sadly, The Gambian’s season ended in heartbreak as he missed the last four matches with a hamstring injury but as he aims to come back stronger from this setback, question marks have been raised over his ability.
Phil Parkinson told Jacob Mendy isn’t ‘good enough’
With Parkinson preferring to use McClean as a central midfielder, this has left Mendy as the only senior left-back and this is a ‘concerning’ scenario, according to Rich Fay.
Fay doesn’t believe the former Boreham Wood defender is ‘good enough’ to be a starting player in League One and would be better used as a backup.
Speaking on the Rob Ryan Red podcast, he said: “Is he good enough to play League One week in week out? I’ve not really seen that in his career.
“And also, his injury record is quite concerning, obviously that is down to bad luck but you probably need protection at left back as well.
“Just because I think McClean goes to centre mid permanently, and then you’d have Mendy as an understudy to someone else.”
Wrexham’s biggest priorities this summer
Wrexham essentially have three priorities to resolve this summer, and one of those is a new left-back but two other positions are just as pressing.
The Reds are in desperate need of a starting goalkeeper and they want that to be Okonkwo but he’s currently deciding his future – and by the sounds of his most recent comments – doesn’t sound like he’ll be returning to the Racecourse.
If he doesn’t, Parkinson will have to look elsewhere for a solid goalkeeper at this level as that could start the foundations of a successful campaign.
As mentioned, Wrexham do need a new left-back. Mendy is untested at League One and although McClean is quality – as Rich Fay alluded to – he’s more effective as a central midfielder.
Parkinson will be looking for a pacey and athletic wing-back to challenge their two current options this summer.
Surprisingly, McElhenney and Reynolds also want a new striker. There are currently seven at the club, however, only Mullin, Jack Marriott, Ollie Palmer and Steven Fletcher will be used.
Wrexham require a long-term replacement for Fletcher and Palmer, with links to Stephen Humphrys and Josh Magennis showing the direction they aim to go in.