Wrexham supporters will have mixed emotions over the dramatic summer transfer window that unfolded at their club.
Wrexham’s owners showed incredible intent with thirteen new signings at the Racecourse Ground and broke the club’s transfer record on three separate occasions.
However, there were also a number of notable departures, Wigan signed Paul Mullin on loan, whilst on deadline day Thomas O’Connor and George Evans were among the exits.
Ryan Reynolds sent an emotional farewell to Ollie Palmer upon the striker signing for Swindon, however, Phil Parkinson quietly went about acquiring a new partnership that has form for firing teams to promotion.
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Ben Sheaf and Dominic Hyam won promotion at Coventry together
Whilst Mullin and Palmer formed a magnificent striking partnership to help Wrexham climb out of the National League and League Two, the duo were exiled during last season’s promotion push.
Parkinson has been planning for life in the Championship long before it was confirmed against Charlton Athletic in April.
His business this summer has been a blend of experienced Championship players and signings that will benefit the club in the long term.
Ben Sheaf and Dominic Hyam are likely to be part of the team’s spine this season and have already experienced promotion together and success in the second tier.
They were both part of Coventry’s promotion-winning side in League One and have both built exceptional reputations as having the know-how in the Championship.
Wrexham will be relying on new partnerships like this to navigate the club through uncharted territory this season.
Ben Sheaf and Dominic Hyam’s record playing together
Hyam will give Parkinson another leader in a relatively young defence for Wrexham with the likes of Max Cleworth and Callum Doyle still learning their trade.
Sheaf will anchor the midfield and provide a bit more mobility and energy than the likes of Matty James, however, keeping fit has been an issue for the former Arsenal academy graduate.
| Dominic Hyam and Ben Sheaf’s record playing together | Appearances | Points per game | Minutes |
| Hyam and Sheaf | 67 | 1.22 | 4850 |
Building an understanding of each other’s game will be a work in progress for Wrexham over the coming weeks as new signings find their feet.
However, Parkinson will be fully aware that Sheaf and Hyam already have that connection and it would be no surprise to see them both line up against QPR in the next fixture.