Wrexham had Steven Fletcher to thank on Tuesday night as the veteran striker came off the bench to score against Huddersfield Town.
We have heard of super-subs over the years; players who come off the bench and make an impact in limited time.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was tabbed with that role for many years at Manchester United and Steven Fletcher has now earned the same tag at Wrexham.
Fletcher came off the bench to score the winner as Wrexham beat Huddersfield Town 1-0 on Tuesday night, bundling home from close range.
Phil Parkinson believes Fletcher is ‘almost unplayable’ from the bench and Fletcher now sits top of League One for goals per 90 minutes this season.
The 37-year-old simply wreaks havoc when he comes off the bench and Tuesday was no exception, handing Wrexham a crucial victory.
Steven Fletcher praises Wrexham duo
Wrexham fans hailed Fletcher as he added another goal to his tally, but he has diverted the praise elsewhere.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Fletcher noted that he is happy with his role as a super-sub and isn’t particularly angling for starting action.
Fletcher instead suggested that starting striker Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez have really impressed him since arriving in January.
The goals haven’t flowed for Smith and Rodriguez yet but Fletcher ‘can’t speak highly enough’ of both players.
Fletcher feels that they are both doing great jobs for the team – and ultimately make Fletcher’s life easier as they tire defenders out so much.
Fletcher claims that he feels 28 despite being on the cusp of turning 38 and is just happy to still be making an impact at Wrexham despite the two striking signings in January.
“I know my role, I’m enjoying it,” said Fletcher.
“You want to play games but the two strikers that are playing now, I can’t speak highly enough of them for what they’re doing for the team. You can see the impact they’re making on the pitch and it makes my job easier when I come on because they tire everyone out.
“The gaffer added [to the squad] in the window which helps, it gives everyone a boost, and we’ve got experience on the pitch. We know how to handle these occasions. I’m 38 this month and I feel 28, it’s good to still be rolling out there,” he added.
- READ MORE: Huddersfield Town boss claims Wrexham did ‘nothing’ in 1-0 victory, slams Steven Fletcher goal
Wrexham signings need patience
Sometimes, you make a January signing who hits the ground running immediately.
Ollie Palmer springs to mind, smashing 15 goals in 21 National League games for Wrexham after arriving in January 2022.
In many other cases though, January signings need some time to bed in and hit top form.
Smith has scored just once for Wrexham and Rodriguez is yet to get off the mark in front of goal.
The pair arrived with high expectations; Wrexham’s transfer record was broken on Smith whilst Rodriguez arrived with Premeir League and international experience.
Phil Parkinson seems happy with Smith and Rodriguez, believing that their partnership is growing by the game.
It’s difficult to have patience in a promotion battle when every game and every goal is just so important, but both Smith and Rodriguez need that patience.
Look at Ollie Rathbone; he had a slow start to life at Wrexham but is now one of the first names on the team sheet.
Smith and Rodriguez have shown their class before joining Wrexham and if both Fletcher and Parkinson are happy, then there should be some confidence that the pair will hit the goal trail soon enough.