Wrexham were delivered a hammering at the weekend as they lost 5-0 to rivals Stockport County, and manager Phil Parkinson has expressed his frustration at his side’s performance.
Wrexham were unbeaten in League Two since the opening day of the season, and confidence was high around the club following the return of striker Paul Mullin from injury.
Parkinson’s side went into the clash against Stockport hoping to come away with a victory that could have seen them close in on the top spots in the league, but found themselves humiliated, and they were second-best in all departments on the day.
Speaking to The Leader, Parkinson attempted to explain why the side were so poor on the day.
“It’s as bad a first half that I can remember us playing in terms of all the fundamentals in football,” he stated.
“So many times we gave the ball away cheaply in our own third and middle third, and put ourselves under pressure.
“Our selection of pass and then the weight of the pass, we put ourselves under so much pressure and coming away to Stockport it’s about getting a platform in the game and start properly.
“Do the right things in the right areas of the pitch and build a performance but we were sloppy in everything that we did and we have got to take our medicine.”
Wrexham’s weak defence
Remarkably, the Stockport defeat was the third time in nine games that Wrexham had conceded five goals, and only bottom side Sutton United have conceded more times than Parkinson’s side.
Wrexham’s strong attack has kept the team near the playoff spots for now, but this is not sustainable in the long run, and it is an issue that Wrexham will have to address if they are to challenge for promotion.
It remains to be seen whether more adaptation time in League Two will help the defence adjust to the level required, or if further additions will be necessary in January.
For now though, the main priority is to tighten up, even if it is at the expense of some attacking threat, as the back line will need a confidence boost after such a damaging defeat.