Wrexham fans have been told the reason they’ve struggled recently is down to the injuries to George Evans and Thomas O’Connor.
It’s not been a happy February for Wrexham supporters who have seen their side win just once on their travels in five attempts.
The Reds were last in action on Tuesday night as a late Paul Mullin penalty salvaged a draw against Forest Green Rovers.
Their slump in form has been alarming but it can be put down to several reasons with the most pressing being the injuries to George Evans and Thomas O’Connor.
O’Connor suffered a slight fracture to his foot following the 2-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon in January and Phil Parkinson’s side have since won just two of their last nine matches in the league.
His presence at the heart of defence and in defensive midfield has left a gaping hole that Evans usually fills, although he picked up an injury to his glute in the 2-1 win over Sutton United.
Journalist Rich Fay believes that the duo being sidelined has had a huge impact on Wrexham’s results and Parkinson should be afforded some respite from those criticising him.
George Evans and Thomas O’Connor told they are ‘unique’ to Wrexham
Speaking on the Rob Ryan Red podcast following their draw against Forest Green, Fay said: “I think there is some mitigation though Nath. I think Tom O’Connor and George Evans to lose them both at the same time any team is going to suffer, they are both so unique in Wrexham’s style of play, so integral that without O’Connor and George Evans you’re gonna be a much worse team, you’re not going to have control over matches.”
He then claimed that Wrexham would be far better off in the table if they were in the side having slipped to fourth, one point behind third-place Crewe Alexandra.
“I think if we had one of them fit for even half of the games, in the last two or three weeks, we’d be absolutely fine, we could even be top of the table. They are such big misses, maybe we need to cut a bit of slack because they are exceptional circumstances.”
Evans and O’Connor are crucial to Wrexham
In the 27 matches that O’Connor has played this season, either as a defensive midfielder or centre-back, Wrexham only lost four of them.
By contrast, for the time he’s been out injured, the 24-year-old has watched the Reds suffer four defeats, three of which were in quick succession against Newport County, Salford City and Bradford City.
Couple that with the injury to Evans and it’s clear to see why Parkinson’s side have struggled without their two defensive destroyers.
There are no other players in the squad who can sweep up possession and protect the defence quite like they do, so there has to be sympathy directed towards the Wrexham boss, although it’s down to him to adapt.
Unfortunately, recent poor results suggest he hasn’t worked out how to get the best out of his side without two of his most influential players, who will hope to return to action very soon.