Phil Parkinson is gunning for a third-straight promotion with Wrexham right now, with four games standing between him and what would be an incredible achievement.
Phil Parkinson has had his critics at times. But nobody can deny the fantastic job he’s done this season and if he guides Wrexham to promotion this season then he’ll have achieved nothing short of greatness.
Wrexham take on Bristol Rovers in League One on Friday in a game they really ought to be winning, but could easily slip up in at the same time.
Although Bristol Rovers boss Inigo Calderon has suggested he isn’t confident in his players right now after six-straight defeats in the league, so it’s advantage Wrexham.
Rival fans react as Phil Parkinson nominated for League One Manager of the Year
Ahead of Friday’s game, Parkinson has been nominated for the League One Manager of the Year award, rather unsurprisingly given how well his side have performed so far, and largely against the odds too.
But that’s not how many rival League One fans see it. They think that he and Chris Davies at Birmingham City, who’s also up for the award, is simply nominated because his team has more resources than most.
“Davies and Parkinson shouldn’t be there. Blues are having a B+ season… Parkinson probably achieving relatively higher than Davies,” said one League One fan. A similar comment read: “Wrexham and Brum are at the top because of money, not the managers.”
There was also a lot of cries for Stockport County boss Dave Challinor to have featured with one fan writing: “Phil Parkinson getting in over Dave Challinor is what’s wrong with these awards.”
Meanwhile, there were a couple of sarcastic comments about the whole Birmingham City and Wrexham situation. One fan posted: “The likes of Davies and Parky really need shouting out, what they are doing is nothing sort of Dreamland stuff. I’m just glad both have got a film squad following them round so we can see the fairy tail of how they navigated round League 1 against all odds. Magical stuff.”
Another similar post read: “Delighted to see Davies and Parkinson in there. What they are doing with such a huge budget is quiet extraordinary.”
Wrexham’s stance on Phil Parkinson future revealed
Wrexham fans have been critical of Parkinson at times. And in fairness, his football can very difficult to watch at times, although it has gotten the club into this brilliant position.
The club’s financial position under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney certainly helps but for rival fans to suggest that’s the only reason why Wrexham are performing well is somewhat unfair.
And it’s unfair on Parkinson who’s kept a cool head throughout, even when fans were battering him. And he’ll be glad to know that the Wrexham owners have faith in Parkinson and will leave the footballing side of matters to him.
Though if Wrexham are promoted and they start to struggle, it could really leave Reynolds and McElhenney with a tough decision to make.