Wrexham face Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, with the competition a chance for the Red Dragons to rest some of their key players.
Wrexham’s win over Burton on Saturday was their fourth in succession in League One, leaving Phil Parkinson’s side level on points with Wycombe at the top of the table.
Callum Burton was injured on Saturday, leaving Parkinson relying on Mark Howard for the upcoming league fixtures as well as Tuesday’s EFL Trophy fixture.
The Red Dragons went through in the competition after a draw with Port Vale, with Josh Adam impressing for Wrexham in the fixture.
Adam’s performance highlighted that Wrexham’s fringe players, or struggling stars like Paul Mullin can truly benefit from the EFL Trophy, with one player in particular picked out in the buildup to the Crewe clash.
Phil Parkinson says Sebastian Revan felt ‘benefit’ of EFL Trophy
Speaking to The Leader ahead of Tuesday night’s clash with Crewe, Parkinson was full of praise for left wing-back Sebastian Revan, who deputised for James McClean against Burton after starring in the EFL Trophy.
He said: “You’ve seen the benefit of Sebastian Revan who was up against a decent player against Burton on Saturday and I thought he really handled him so well, you’ve seen the benefit of those lads getting those games and it’s important for us going forward.”
Parkinson praised Revan’s display against Port Vale, as the fullback showed the rest of the Wrexham squad how a good performance in the cup competition can lead to first-team opportunities.
This is clearly an attitude that Parkinson is looking to see from his players against Crewe, saying: “I want to give some of the lads a game. I think that’s really important as we go into this Christmas period that you see the benefit of playing in that competition.
“Obviously we want to win but equally, we want to make sure that we get everyone prepared for the busy Christmas period.”
One player who will be looking to feel prepared will be the goal-shy Mullin, who should see the EFL Trophy as an opportunity to get himself firing once more.
Paul Mullin must make a statement in the EFL Trophy
Mullin didn’t feature much in the EFL Trophy last season, playing only once in the competition. This season, though, Mullin has had to settle for more minutes in the cup as his struggling league form continues.
The English striker only has a singular league goal this season, but has notched twice in the EFL Trophy. For Mullin to oust either Ollie Palmer or Elliot Lee, who have become Parkinson’s primary forward duo, he must use Tuesday’s Crewe match to show his scoring pedigree.
Last season, Sam Dalby scored twice in the competition, as well two more in the FA Cup. Now, Dalby is starring at Dundee United after his strong cup performances, highlighting the strength of form that Mullin could find if he capitalises on the Crewe clash.
Dalby and Revan’s recent successes have to be Mullin’s inspiration, if he can find goals in the EFL Trophy, he may be able to break his way back into the first team at the Racecourse Ground.