Wrexham fans have been left wondering which position Ryan Longman will be played in following his transfer from Hull City.
Wrexham signed Ryan Longman from the Tigers on Friday, paying out half a million for the versatile player.
Hull City fans had a mixed reaction the transfer, but he does seem well-suited to League One level.
Wrexham fans reacted to the Longman move as well and are pleased to have finally gotten a deal over the line this month.
The Red Dragons return to League One action on Tuesday evening against Stevenage and supporters are no doubt hoping to see their latest addition in action.
Given his versatility, however, there has been a lot of debate over where the 24-year-old will be deployed by Phil Parkinson.
Wrexham given expert verdict on Ryan Longman
As highlighted below, Longman has had spells in various positions across the pitch throughout his playing career.
| Position | Appearances |
| Right winger | 42 |
| Centre-forward | 40 |
| Left winger | 28 |
| Left midfield | 24 |
| Right midfield | 24 |
| Attacking midfield | 3 |
| Right-back | 1 |
Now, The Wrexham Insider have spoken to journalist and Hull City expert Tom Griffin to get the lowdown on the club’s first January signing.
He said: “With Ryan Longman, Wrexham will get a highly dedicated and top professional who will always give everything on the pitch.
“Although not blessed with great technical ability and skill, the winger boasts other attributes that explain why Phil Parkinson signed him, including his versatility.
“For Hull City and some of his previous clubs, Longman has played as a winger, attacking midfielder, centre forward and wing-back, with the latter catching the eye.
“It was as a wing-back under Grant McCann during the 2021/22 campaign where the Englishman established himself as a key asset in the Championship. Longman played on either the left or right in some games, combining his incredible work rate, pressing, crossing and ability to cut in and shoot to devastating effect.
“In the period between November 2021 and January 2022, Longman scored four goals and grabbed four assists in the space of 11 games, including a peach of a strike in the FA Cup defeat to Everton. However, just as Longman hit a purple patch of form, McCann was dismissed as manager following the change of ownership and takeover of Acun Ilicali.
“Unfortunately, this change in personnel took Longman out of his stride and he never reached those heights once more in a Hull shirt having fallen out of favour in the seasons that followed. But his successful time as a wing-back perhaps explains why Parkinson signed him, with Wrexham reliant on their ammunition from wide areas.”
Luke Bolton could leave Wrexham after Ryan Longman transfer
With it now clear Wrexham should be using Longman in a wing-back role, Parkinson probably has one too many options on the flanks.
Jacob Mendy has signed a new contract with the Welsh outfit this week, meaning he isn’t going anywhere this month.
In turn, it seems very likely that Luke Bolton, who is now surely the fourth-choice right-wing-back option behind Ryan Barnett, Sebastian Revan and Longman, will be moved on.
The 25-year-old has only made three appearances in 2024/25 and it’s hard to see where he fits into Parkinson’s plans going forward.