Wrexham host Stockport County in what is the latest chapter in the recent rivalry between the two clubs.
Humphrey Ker shared the ‘Needle’ between Wrexham and Stockport and the clubs have battled against each other for promotion in three out of the last four seasons.
Stockport prevented a Paul Mullin record last season and went up as League Two champions despite Wrexham winning the game at the Racecourse Ground 2-1.
Stockport fans taunted Wrexham with a banner and a plane during that encounter so Phil Parkinson will be hoping for a hostile atmosphere from the Red Dragons supporters.
Earlier in this League One campaign a stunning strike from Louie Barry earned County a 1-0 win and Parkinson’s comments after that game indicate he already knows what is required in this encounter.
Phil Parkinson highlighted where Wrexham lost the game against Stockport
Speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel after the 1-0 defeat to Stockport in November 2024, Parkinson highlighted an area in which his side let themselves down.
Parkinson stated: “First half we didn’t get close enough to Stockport, certainly in the midfield area we let them dictate to us and in the derby kind of atmosphere we just lacked a bit of composure.”
The Red Dragons boss went on to explain his team’s improvement in the second half of that game but it was ultimately not enough to avoid defeat.
Parkinson explained: “Second half we were loads better, we had some really good spells in that half but when you have those spells you’ve got to get a goal and we so nearly did.”
With promotion on the line, the Wrexham manager will be ensuring that his players allow no time and space on the ball for Stockport in their upcoming fixture and his side will be right at it from the first whistle.
Wrexham handed boost before Stockport clash
Parkinson delivered a positive fitness update before the clash as several of his Wrexham first-team squad had been carrying knocks for a while.
Meanwhile, Stockport will be without Benony Breki Andresson as the striker has been called up for the Iceland U21 squad in the international period.
With Jay Rodriguez desperately struggling for form since his move to North Wales, the game could present an opportunity for Paul Mullin to return to the fold.
Parkinson praised Mullin’s big game scoring record at the end of the last campaign and this match would certainly fall under the ‘big game’ bracket.