Wrexham are one of the highest profile clubs in the world these days thanks to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but Phil Parkinson hasn’t always had it so easy.
It’s been quite the journey for Wrexham over the last four years, with back-to-back promotions taking them out of National League obscurity, and another big success potentially on the way.
Beating Blackpool on Monday afternoon will go a long way to helping that dream become a reality, and Phil Parkinson will be determined to see his side get back to their best after a couple of disappointing draws rerailed their promotion push.
Parkinson has demanded positivity from his players ahead of the game on Monday, but he’ll know Wrexham go into the game as massive favourites against a fairly average Blackpool side.
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Why Steve Bruce felt sorry for Phil Parkinson just six years ago
While Wrexham’s journey has been praised by Steve Bruce, it wasn’t all that long ago that the veteran coach was offering his sympathy to Phil Parkinson.
Speaking to the press (via the Sheffield Star) back in 2019, Bruce, then in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, was sorry to see Parkinson going through a tough time at Bolton Wanderers, with financial issues behind the scenes hampering his progress.
He said: “I have sympathy for every manager; when you are up against financial restrictions, it is very, very difficult. But he [Parkinson] is a resilient so and so. He is experienced and that will help him.
“You hope for a club with wonderful history of where it is and standing in the game that there problems can be resolved. How many times have we seen it over the years where a big club like Bolton find themselves financially in a mess? I hope they get out of it.”
Six years later, and Parkinson is now living the dream. As Wrexham manager, he has ample resources with which to enhance his squad in each transfer window, the general support of very laid-back owners in Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, and the adoration of the Wrexham fans after his success there.
While Parkinson enjoys excellent job security at Wrexham, Bruce has been wandering the footballing ladder for a few years now trying to find a stable home, unable to find any real momentum or success.
Indeed, it’s likely now Parkinson who has a degree of sympathy for Bruce, but that certainly won’t be the case on Monday.
Phil Parkinson has to get Wrexham firing on Monday
While Wrexham will be expected to beat Blackpool, it’s worth noting the Seasiders have a very impressive record of late, especially at home.
Still, with what is at stake for Wrexham, there can simply be no excuses for not getting over the line at Bloomfield Park and showing they have what it takes to go up.
| Pos | Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Birmingham City | 41 | 29 | 9 | 3 | 73 | 29 | 44 | 96 |
| 2 | Wycombe Wanderers | 43 | 24 | 12 | 7 | 69 | 37 | 32 | 84 |
| 3 | Wrexham | 43 | 24 | 11 | 8 | 60 | 33 | 27 | 83 |
| 4 | Charlton Athletic | 43 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 60 | 39 | 21 | 79 |
| 5 | Stockport County | 43 | 22 | 12 | 9 | 64 | 38 | 26 | 78 |
| 6 | Leyton Orient | 43 | 21 | 6 | 16 | 65 | 46 | 19 | 69 |
It took a moment of genius to beat Blackpool last time, with Steven Fletcher’s penalty proving the difference. The fact of the matter is, it doesn’t matter how they do it this time, the Red Dragons absolutely need three points, and to hope for a favour from Charlton Athletic against Wycombe, too.
After the recent swing of results, Wrexham have lost their advantage in the race for automatic promotion, and it will take another swing to get that spot back off Wycombe.
Parkinson needs a statement performance on Monday and to come away from Blackpool with all three points. Anything less and Wrexham can prepare for the play-offs instead.