Wrexham hero Paul Mullin started for Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night, but it didn’t quite go to plan for him against Luton Town.
Wrexham sent Paul Mullin to Wigan Athletic this summer, allowing the striker to leave on loan for the 2025-26 season.
Mullin found first-team action hard to come by in 2025, going from Wrexham’s goalscoring talisman to not even making the bench.
Mullin’s move may only be a loan deal for now, but it’s likely that he has already played his final game for Wrexham.
Wrexham supporters still want to see Mullin performing well away from the STōK Cae Ras, and may have one eye on Wigan’s fortunes this season.
Mullin scored against Notts County last week, but his first League One start for the Latics proved to be a frustrating night.
Wigan Athletic fans on Paul Mullin
Mullin started up top for Wigan against Luton Town on Tuesday night, having previously come off the bench three times in League One.
Latics boss Ryan Lowe freshened up his side and handed a starting chance to Mullin, hoping to see him build on that Carabao Cup goal against Notts County.
Mullin endured a frustrating night, though, and squandered one golden chance to score with Wigan trailing 1-0.
The striker was clean through on goal but fired straight at Luton goalkeeper Josh Keeley, rather than take the ball around him and score.
A more confident Mullin may have had the presence of mind to take the extra touch, but he rushed his finish.
Wigan fans certainly weren’t impressed, suggesting that Mullin should be sent back to Wrexham.
That seems a little hasty, as this was only Mullin’s first league start of the season, but some fans are really concerned that Mullin is simply ‘out of his depth’ in League One.
Others are worried about Mullin’s lack of pace and even joked that there must be a ‘hidden clause’ with Wrexham, which guaranteed screen time for Mullin.
Here are some reactions from Wigan Athletic fans on social media after Mullin’s performance against Luton Town…
- Send Mullin back at half time. Waste of space
- Send Mullin back to Wrexham
- I’ve watched “Welcome To Wrexham” and I was under the impression that Mullin was actually good?
- Crying out for Saydee or Asamoah, Mullin’s not got the pace or strength needed to keep that ball moving when he’s through
- I’m really struggling to get used to Mullin, I don’t think he’s good enough at all
- Paul Mullin out of his depth in this league. Another 1v1 missed, good grafter but just doesn’t have the skill level required
- Mullin just doesn’t bring anything if he’s not scoring goals, doesn’t hold it up, isn’t quick and atm just 0 confidence to score, get him off
- We’ve got some kind of hidden clause with Wrexham stating Mullin has to get Sky Sports screen time, only explanation
- Can we stop the Mullin experiment now?
- I said this when he signed, Mullin isn’t a good signing. He’s 4th choice striker at best and he’s started tonight. The mind boggles.
Paul Mullin lacking confidence after Wrexham exit
Mullin managed a full pre-season schedule with no problems, having suffered a punctured lung in 2023 and then undergoing surgery last summer.
Fitness seemingly isn’t an issue for Mullin right now, but confidence still appears to be a problem.
Mullin was a hero at Wrexham, but he didn’t play a single minute of league action following the end of the January transfer window.
Mullin is still finding his feet after his Wrexham exile, and a penalty against Notts County isn’t going to magically turn him back into his prime form.
Wrexham fans want the best for Mullin, and will hope to see him regain that confidence with a run in the Wigan team; there is a player in there, he just needs some time and patience at this level to get back to his very best.