Wrexham supporters have been divided by Phil Parkinson’s recent decision to start one new Red Dragons signing, as fans suggest that it is not ‘clear’.
This weekend saw Wrexham suffer defeat to West Brom at the Racecourse Ground, making it two defeats in as many Championship games for Phil Parkinson.
It has been a wake-up call for Wrexham so far on the significant jump in quality between League One and the Championship, although the Red Dragons have been tested against two sides who are destined to finish in the higher echelons of the table this season.
Many new Wrexham signings have shone in the early stages of the campaign, with Kieffer Moore showing his quality, whilst Lewis O’Brien has also excelled in midfield.
However, many Wrexham supporters are still unconvinced by Danny Ward and have been left puzzled by Parkinson’s desire to start him over Arthur Okonkwo.
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Wrexham fans spark debate over Danny Ward and Arthur Okonkwo
The Championship season opener saw Phil Parkinson make the surprise decision to start Danny Ward over Arthur Okonkwo in-between the sticks, and whilst the former Leicester City shot-stopper performed well in the defeat to Southampton, his inclusion in the side has since been questioned.
Following Wrexham’s defeat to West Brom, Red Dragons fan Craig Jones asked for fellow supporters’ views on Ward, having said himself: “He came to Wrexham with a giant monkey on his back, with many feeling he was destined to fail.
“I can see a few have made him a scapegoat today.”
Responding to the post was one fan who made a point on how he should not be ahead of Okonkwo in the pecking order.
“I’m not throwing Danny Ward under the bus at all,” said one supporter.
“I just want an answer as to why the keeper that has been in goal for the last two years, has developed a rapport with his defenders, and has led us to back-to-back promotions, is now suddenly on the bench.
“Just explain why. Because so far, the match results are not making it clear.”
One Wrexham supporter went on to berate the Welshman, suggesting that he had ‘been awful’ and that his ‘bad spell’ in net ‘is only going to make things worse’.
However, this claim was disagreed with by a fellow Red Dragons fan, who wrote: “Danny Ward is currently the best keeper at the club. He has just come from a club where their fans made him the scapegoat goat, let’s not do it here.
“He hasn’t made a mistake once, yes, keepers do get beaten at their near post every week.”
Danny Ward stats vs West Brom
In any home game where three goals have been conceded, there will always be questions asked of the shot-stopper and whether he is worthy of retaining his spot in the starting side.
Truthfully, it was a difficult afternoon for the Welsh international goalkeeper, who, on top of his three goals conceded, made just two saves. His passing accuracy was also not quite on top form, successfully hitting 12 out of 23 attempted passes, via SofaScore.
Many turned towards his inability to keep his near post unguarded as well, an effort that he arguably could have done more to keep out.
Wrexham fans should by no means scapegoat Danny Ward after this start, but Phil Parkinson should consider giving Arthur Okonkwo an opportunity in-between the sticks.