Paul Mullin was once again left out by Phil Parkinson when Wrexham took on Reading in midweek.
The Red Dragons fell to a shock 2-0 defeat versus Reading on March 11th, seeing their chances of securing automatic promotion take a big blow.
It was a dire display from the Welsh outfit, with Wrexham fans slamming Phil Parkinson for his tactics on the night.
Barring a Ryan Barnett chance late in the first half and a couple more once Reading had gone down to 10 men, the Hollywood-owned club’s attack was limp.
Jay Rodriguez offered nothing once more and has now gone nine games without a goal since completing his January transfer.
After Rodriguez and Sam Smith’s arrival, Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer have been frozen out by Parkinson.
Wrexham fans send Paul Mullin demand to Phil Parkinson
Mullin hasn’t featured in any of the club’s last eight League One fixtures, only making the matchday squad on one occasion.
The 30-year-old has been Wrexham’s top scorer in the previous three seasons, and while he has been below par in 2024/25, fans have still taken to social media after Reading to demand he returns to the side.
One fan wrote: “Despite the Mullin clamour… him with one arm tied behind his back would have surely offered a greater threat tonight. It’s maybe time to bring him/them out from the cold.”
A second exclaimed: “FREE MULLIN and PALMER!!! They need to play … this is ridiculous… Parkinson has lost the ——- contest —!!! Get it together man!
Interestingly, one fan suggested that Parkinson has frozen Mullin out because he is ‘upset’.
“I’m not sure why we are playing Jay Rod in a number 10 role. He is also not a replacement for Palmer as not a target man. His career in top-level football has been based on being a ‘fox in the box’ which he won’t experience here. Mullin would do better in this 10 role in my opinion,” another wrote.
A fifth Wrexham fan added: “Let’s be honest, we’re punching above our weight and overachieving. The fact we have a chance of autos is some achievement. That being said, we were terrible tonight. Just didn’t even try and play. Evans needs to start ahead James, and Mullin or Marriott need to be starting.
Another Red Dragons supporter stated: “Parky needs to be brave Saturday and set attacking passing game. Also needs to bring in Ashfield, Mullin, Palmer, Lee instead of James. Rodriguez left out why did Rodriguez leave Burnley when they are on brink of promotion to the Premier League.”
While a seventh pleaded: “Shouldn’t have to keep on relying on Fletch. I want Smith and Mullin together… please Parky, please!!!!”
An eighth wrote: “Parky’s feud with Palmer and Mullin is damaging this team.”
What Phil Parkinson has said about Paul Mullin
Three goals in the league this term isn’t exactly a great record, but as some fans have mentioned, he could still probably offer more than Rodriguez right now.
It’s understandable why Parkinson hasn’t been starting Mullin in every match this season, but to completely freeze him out of the League One squad is pretty baffling.
Modou Faal, who has played just 56 minutes in the third tier this campaign, was named on the bench ahead of the striker on Tuesday.
But the exact reason why this is happening is not clear, with Parkinson last commenting on Mullin prior to the Rotherham United win when he was asked why the Liverpool-born forward and Palmer are not featuring.
He said: “We’ve got a lot of strikers and it is difficult to keep everybody involved.
“We’ll keep assessing it and looking at training all the time, and pick the team and the bench accordingly.”