Wrexham return to League One action this weekend with Phil Parkinson seeking a response against Mansfield Town.
Wrexham were dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend, losing 1-0 away at League Two side Harrogate Town.
Phil Parkinson felt that the defeat was a ‘wake up call’ for Wrexham having turned in a flat performance on the road.
The only way Wrexham can respond is with a victory as Mansfield Town head to the STōK Cae Ras this weekend.
The Stags won promotion alongside Wrexham last season, finishing third in the League Two table.
Mansfield now sit just one point and one place behind Wrexham, so this promises to be a tough challenge for Parkinson and co this weekend.
Phil Parkinson to face Nigel Clough once again
Wrexham have a brilliant home record this seasons and remain unbeaten at the STōK Cae Ras.
Parkinson will want to keep that ringing and saw his side produce a couple of decent displays against Mansfield last season.
Wrexham drew 0-0 at Field Mill before beating Mansfield 2-0 at the STōK Cae Ras back in March.
Nigel Clough was left furious after that defeat, slamming the referee for erroneously handing Wrexham a penalty.
Wrexham even knocked Mansfield out of the FA Cup, securing a 1-0 win in the first round.
The game sees Parkinson and Mansfield boss Clough lock horns once again having faced each other 13 times in the past.
Parkinson has only battled two managers on more occasions – Karl Robinson and Danny Wilson.
Parkinson’s record against Clough isn’t great though, having won three of those 13 meetings.
There have been three draws along the way with Clough winning the other seven games, largely dominating their meetings.
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Phil Parkinson record v Nigel Clough
Parkinson and Clough first battled it out way back in 2009 with Clough’s Derby County side beating Parkinson’s Charlton Athletic 1-0 in April 2009.
Nearly five years passed before their next battle as Clough’s Sheffield United drew 2-2 with Parkinson’s Bradford City.
Clough then beat Parkinson with the Blades in October 2014 before a 1-1 draw at Valley Parade in 2015.
Clough moved on to Burton Albion and Parkinson lost again as his Bradford side were beaten 3-1 on the road in 2016.
The return fixture just a month later saw Parkinson finally secure a first win over Clough, beating him 2-0 in Yorkshire.
Parkinson then went on a four-game losing run against Clough; two defeats with Bolton Wanderers in the 2017-18 season before losing with Sunderland against Clough’s Brewers.
Clough added the fourth straight win with Mansfield, beating Parkinson’s Sunderland side 1-0 in the FA Cup back in 2020.
Parkinson is unbeaten in his last three as Wrexham manager though and would love to extend that run to four this weekend – preferably with a win.