‘Pressure’ on Phil Parkinson after future talks as Wrexham given lofty Championship target by pundit

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Wrexham have been told to aim as high as the top six this season with ‘pressure’ on manager Phil Parkinson.

We revealed over the weekend that Wrexham have held talks over Phil Parkinson’s future at the club.

The talks took place prior to the latest round of Championship action, which saw the Red Dragons lose 3-1 to Queens Park Rangers.

It means that the Welsh side have won just one of their opening five league matches, with some tough fixtures still to come before the October international break.

At present, Wrexham are 21st in the second tier, but former Wales international Iwan Roberts has suggested they should be aiming much higher.

• READ MORE: Wrexham summer target Parkinson chose not to sign is now outscoring Paul Mullin and Kieffer Moore

Wrexham given Championship play-off target

Wrexham spent £33m during the 2025 summer transfer window, which could rise closer to £40m if add-ons in certain deals, such as Nathan Broadhead’s, are met.

It was the third-highest spend in the Championship in the most recent window, and Roberts has suggested that the spending spree means they need to be aiming for the top six.

He also commented on how Parkinson will now face scrutiny and will be under pressure.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales’s Feast of Football podcast, he stated: “There’s no excuses really now [for Parkinson] because of the amount that’s been spent and because of the calibre of player that’s been brought in.

“I would definitely say [Wrexham should be] top six. Looking at the squad that they’ve got, I think they’re more than capable of doing that. “I think that because of what’s happened this summer and the money that’s been spent, Phil Parkinson will be scrutinised. The pressure will be on for him and his team to produce.”

• READ MORE: Billionaire mooted for Wrexham takeover amid £350m valuation now ready to buy Championship rival

Opta predict Wrexham’s Championship position

While Roberts thinks Wrexham need to be aiming for the top six, Opta suggests that is unlikely to happen.

After QPR, the Welsh side have a 5.24% chance of winning promotion from the Championship via the play-offs.

Instead, they are most likely to suffer relegation from the second tier, with a 25.78% chance of doing so.

They are just about predicted to avoid the drop, however, as they are expected to end 2025/26 in 21st place.

In comparison, fellow promoted side Charlton Athletic are backed to finish 22nd, while Birmingham City are predicted to end the campaign 13th.