Wrexham will be wary of Hull City’s strengths as Phil Parkinson gears up to face his former side, but there is one area that he could exploit.
Wrexham host Hull City on Tuesday evening in the EFL Cup, where the Red Dragons will be hoping to venture past the first round.
In Wrexham’s history, they have gone as far as the quarter-finals, but that was in the 1977/78 season. The Red Dragons have not gone past the second round of the EFL Cup since the 1981/82 season, which is a miserable record that Phil Parkinson will be keen to put an end to.
Wrexham will be facing off against a Hull City side, who, under new boss Sergej Jakirovic, notched a respectable 0-0 draw away at Coventry City in their Championship opener.
After a positive start to their season, it is clear that Hull City will not roll over and have their tummies tickled for Wrexham. However, there is one potential weakness that they could exploit at the Racecourse Ground.
Wrexham should exploit Hull City defender Ryan Giles
Following the first game of Hull City’s season, there is no clear weakness in their side, however a problem could potentially emerge at left back for the Tigers.
Hull City are likely to start Ryan Giles on the left side of defence, and whilst he is a threat on the front foot, he has his weaknesses when it comes to defending.
The Tigers defender has found his form after a difficult 2024/25 season, but if he is targeted by Ryan Longman, potentially Wrexham could target that weakness that has proven to be his Achilles’ heel previously.
Via Hull Live, Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic gave an overview of Giles during pre-season, having highlighted these ‘difficulties’ that he had endured in his career.
“He must give one hundred percent in every training session and in every game, but he’s obviously a very fast player. He can repeat (his runs) all day. Maybe he has some difficulties in the defence, but you can train (improve in training) this. We are here to help him.
“He’s a very fast player, he’s got a very good shot and can cross the ball very well, and I think it’s a very big advantage for us.”
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Phil Parkinson must be wary of Oli McBurnie
Hull City could cause Wrexham trouble on the front foot, with former Swansea City and Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie likely to start his first game for the Tigers.
McBurnie has been Hull City’s marquee signing this summer, and there is an expectation that he can be the answer to the Tigers’ goalscoring woes after finishing as the lowest goalscorers in the 2024/25 Championship season.
Wrexham’s defence will have to be on top form against McBurnie, whose physique and finishing ability should particularly be highlighted.
It is likely that McBurnie will start as Hull City’s sole striker, with Sergej Jakirovic set to play with wingers who will be under instruction to feed the forward the ball at any given opportunity.