Wrexham will be looking to right some wrongs when they travel to Crawley Town this coming Saturday.
The Red Dragons head into the meeting looking to bounce back from a very disappointing showing last time out.
Wrexham lost 3-2 versus Stevenage in midweek, seeing them fall six points behind the automatic promotion places.
It was a dire showing from many a player and Phil Parkinson was slammed by fans for his tactics on the night.
However, the Wrexham manager is expected to make changes for the club’s next outing against Crawley Town.
Defensive woes need to be addressed after shipping three to a side that had previously netted just four away from home in 2024/25.
But as has been the case for much of the season, Wrexham’s attack was and remains a major concern.
- READ MORE: Forget Arthur Okonkwo, 15-touch Wrexham player who won just one duel was woeful vs Stevenage
Wrexham could unleash new attack vs Crawley Town
Paul Mullin has been far from his best compared to his previous displays in the 2023/24 campaign.
Ollie Palmer has been given a new contract this term but three goals in 29 outings suggest that was a big mistake.
With so many of his centre-forwards floundering, Parkinson has been deploying a makeshift front-two of Palmer and Elliot Lee.
This has proven ineffective, however, with the former subbed off after 45 minutes on Tuesday and Lee moved back into midfield.
Starting Mullin over Lee up top isn’t the answer either, but Parkinson now has the opportunity to deploy a never-before-seen front-three when Wrexham take to the pitch against Crawley.
Steven Fletcher has to start given he is the club’s only big man playing any sort of decent football.
Beside him, meanwhile, Jack Marriott should come into the eleven for the first time since October after looking much brighter off the bench against Stevenage.
But while centre-forward is obviously a problem position this term, the lack of creativity behind them is also a major issue.
On this front, Wrexham could do something pretty unorthodox to ensure their number nines are being fed adequate chances.
- READ MORE: Wrexham fans send clear message to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney following Stevenage loss
Wrexham should start Ryan Barnett as a 10 vs Crawley Town
There can be absolutely zero debate that in 2024/25, Ryan Barnett has been Wrexham’s best player on the chance-creation front.
| Ryan Barnett | Wrexham stats 2024/25 (team ranking) |
| Assists | 8 (1st) |
| Chances created | 48 (1st) |
| xA | 5.66 (1st) |
| Progressive carries | 184 (1st) |
| Carries ended with chance | 21 (1st) |
However, up until last week, Parkinson couldn’t afford to experiment with playing the right-wing-back further forward as the options behind him – Sebastian Revan and Luke Bolton – have been unconvincing or injured.
Now though, Ryan Longman has made his Wrexham debut and though he had little time to do much of note, was solid when replacing Barrnett at right-back on January 28th.
In turn, with little else working this season, Parkinson should take a chance on Barnett as a number 10.
It’s risky, but if the defender can perform well in that role, Wrexham will surely start scoring more goals – especially if Longman steps up at wing-back.