It’s yet another cup game for Wrexham this week, with a home tie against Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy, and a semi-final spot up for grabs.
Wrexham coasted past League Two Port Vale in the third round just last week, with a 4-1 win coming courtesy of a weakened Red Dragons lineup including the likes of Sebastian Revan, Mo Faal, and youngster Harry Ashfield.
Next up, we’ll be watching Wrexham take on Bolton in the quarter-finals on Tuesday night. It’s a big game for Phil Parkinson’s men, who are trying to balance a cup run with their promotion push in League One.
However, while some Wrexham fans would describe the EFL Trophy as a distraction, Bolton Wanderers and their new manager are hungry to go all the way.
Steven Schumacher is ‘desperate’ to win the EFL Trophy
Speaking to Bolton Live about the upcoming game and describing the current injury crisis at Bolton, Steven Schumacher — who has only been in the job for three weeks — admitted he is incredibly eager to get past Wrexham and lift the EFL Trophy this season.
That’s because Schumacher was Plymouth Argyle manager just two years ago, and had to see his team defeated by Bolton in the 2023 final, giving him an extra added motivation this time around.
He said: “I’m desperate to get back to Wembley because [Bolton] spoiled it for me last time I was there. I don’t mind how we win; 90 minutes, penalties, whatever. I just want to make sure we get through to the semi-finals.”
If Schumacher wants the win, he should analyse his predecessor’s comments about Wrexham from back in August, when Bolton and the Red Dragons played out a 0-0 draw; a game that Ian Evatt believed his team deserved to win.
How important is the EFL Trophy to Wrexham?
It’s a difficult situation for Wrexham and Phil Parkinson to juggle at this juncture. They’re still very much in the title race, or at the very least the promotion race in League One, and that has to be the top priority.
However, the momentum and positive spirit generated by a successful cup run could be absolutely huge for Wrexham and may be just what they need to find a winning formula across both competitions come the end of the season.
We’ll know a lot more about Parkinson’s mindset when we see the Wrexham lineup for the Bolton game. If the fringe players get the start once more, we’ll know the Wrexham boss sees the fixture as more of an opportunity for minutes rather than a meaningful competition the Red Dragons want to win.
Although, based on what we know about Wrexham’s mentality, it’s hard to imagine anything less than 100% effort and desire to win every single game. Certainly, the idea of lifting a trophy this season, regardless of league position, is a tantalising one for anyone involved in football, and this is as good a chance as any other.