Wrexham continue to impress in League One this season, but star striker Paul Mullin has been struggling to contribute with his usual goals.
Mullin was once again ineffectual as Wrexham beat Mansfield Town on Saturday, making it three games since his last league goal against Rotherham United.
Even with this goalless streak, Mullin’s strike against Rotherham is his only League One goal of the season, giving manager Phil Parkinson an unexpected and unwanted headache.
Parkinson has been urged to sign a replacement for Mullin by some sides of the media, but one Sky Sports pundit has come to the defense of the striker.
Don Goodman slams ‘harsh’ Paul Mullin criticism
Speaking to Football League World, pundit Don Goodman has hit back at the criticism of Mullin’s current goalscoring form, citing his pre-season injury as a likely cause.
He said: “Paul Mullin has only started five games due to injury and when you miss pre-season, it’s going to take you time to get up to speed. I think anyone saying he cannot play at League One level is being very harsh.”
Goodman continued to defend Mullin, choosing to trust the judgement of the Wrexham manager who continues to pick the striker.
He said: “Phil Parkinson wouldn’t be selecting Paul Mullin if he didn’t believe he was capable of playing at League One level. That in itself is a sign for those who are making the noise. It’s way too early for anyone to write him off, and it’s harsh if you do.”
Goodman is right to trust Parkinson’s continued trust in Mullin, but looking back at the statistics from the English forward’s last season in League One only serves to fuel the current worry.
Mullin has struggled in League One before
This current season with Wrexham is not Mullin’s first attempt at League One level, having struggled in the division for Tranmere Rovers five years ago.
Mullin featured 22 times for Tranmere until he was loaned out to Cambridge United, with only one coming after starting the match.
He remained largely ineffectual throughout the games he featured in, averaging only 31 touches per 90 minutes.
This stat is particularly worrying when comparing it to Mullin’s current numbers, where he is averaging a similar 35 touches per 90.
Mullin would of course go on to score at a ridiculous rate for both Cambridge and the Red Dragons in League Two, but current form suggests that the higher division may be a step too far for him.
If Parkinson and his Wrexham coaching staff are unable to find a way to get Mullin more involved in matches, his League One nightmare at Tranmere may become a reality once more.