Wrexham will travel to Crawley Town for a League One meeting on Saturday and fans have had a lot to say about Matty James.
Wrexham were in action earlier this week, facing off with a mid-table Stevenage side who had a dire away record.
However, despite only scoring four on the road in 2024/25 previously, they managed to beat Wrexham 3-2 and end their staggering unbeaten run at the Racecourse Ground.
This now means that Wycombe Wanderers are six points clear of the Welsh outfit in second place going into the weekend’s action.
On paper though, Wrexham should have little issue bouncing back when they make the trip to Crawley this weekend.
They are battling for survival at the bottom of League One, sitting 22nd in the division with just six wins from 26.
Wrexham fans want Phil Parkinson to drop Matty James vs Crawley Town
However, Wrexham’s away record is not great this term and after their horror showing in midweek, fans wanted to see Matty James dropped for the game.
James was hooked after 45 minutes against Stevenage, and supporters have taken to social media in the build-up to Crawley to make their stance clear, with several urging Phil Parkinson to drop him.
One fan wrote: “I love Matt James as a footballer. He can see a pass and execute it beyond anyone else in our squad. You can see he’s played at the highest level. However, last couple of games starting to bypass him. Needs a rest.”
Another replied: “100 percent agree, he has been chasing shadows in the last two matches. Far too often the wrong side when the opposition attack. Dobson far safer option.”
A third Wrexham fan also agreed with the sentiment, simply writing: “100 percent agree.”
“Matty James is a great player but doesn’t fit our style,” a fourth claimed.
“All I will say is Matty James was better second half than he was first,” another joked after he was taken off at the break against Stevenage.
While a sixth stated: ““The fans can see James is invisible and Dobson is the only holding midfielder we need. We also see Lee is clearly not a number 10, and we have enough strikers to fill that spot – one who actually wears that number. Why Parky hasn’t seen it, I don’t know.”
- READ MORE: Wrexham fans send clear message to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney following Stevenage loss
How Wrexham can replace Matty James vs Crawley Town
As some fans made clear, including George Dobson and James in the same midfield trio doesn’t really work.
But Dobson was excellent for Wrexham against Stevenage and deserves to keep his place, meaning James should drop out.
Elliot Lee could move back into midfield but he, Ollie Rathbone, and Dobson may be too much of an attack-minded combination.
In turn, the most likely replacement will be Andy Cannon to partner Dobson and Rathbone versus Crawley.