Wrexham will be looking to take their excellent second half performance against Wycombe Wanderers into their clash with Stockport County.
After a slow and turgid first half against Wycombe, Wrexham fans turned on Phil Parkinson’s tactics as their direct approach was leaving striker Sam Smith isolated and unable to get into the game.
That all changed in the second half as Wrexham played more on the front foot and Smith was compared to Robin Van Persie after his sumptuous volley gave the Red Dragons a vital three points.
Ollie Palmer would be a better partner for Smith should he return to the squad for the game against Stockport but one worrying trend is starting to occur surrounding the club’s major January signing from Reading.
Wrexham expert highlights worrying ‘common theme’ with Sam Smith
Speaking on the latest edition of the Rob.Ryan.Red podcast, journalist and Wrexham expert Rich Fay has been discussing the unfair treatment of Smith when it comes to refereeing decisions.
Fay discussed Smith’s time at Reading and stated: “When Sam Smith played for Reading they counted there was about 10 or 12 instances a season where they thought he should have had a penalty for Reading but there was almost this running joke that he never got a penalty.”
The popular Wrexham podcaster then went on to express concerns that the striker could suffer the same fate at the Red Dragons with decisions not going his way against Wycombe.
Fay explained: “I think it’s going to be a common theme of Smith’s time at Wrexham. I think he is just a player who, I’m not sure if he’s got a past sort of perception and relationship with referees, where they just sort of think oh this guy might be looking for a penalty in games.
“But it seems like we’re going to be irritated a lot by penalty calls regarding Smith that maybe just won’t go our way.”
Wrexham’s League One promotion could come down to goal difference
With Wrexham and Wycombe locked on 71 points in the League One standings, promotion could be decided on goal difference.
Wycombe currently have the better goal difference with +28 compared Wrexham’s +21, meaning The Chairboys currently occupy second place and the final automatic spot.
Promotions are decided by the finest of margins and penalties have played a part in Wrexham’s history following Ben Foster’s last minute save against Notts County in the National League.
If goal difference is to decide promotion this season, Phil Parkinson will want every referee decision going his side’s way in the box as it could be the difference come the beginning of May.