Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson may have made one huge risk in the summer transfer window, with Ollie Palmer’s Red Dragons departure set to play a significant part.
The Red Dragons have concluded their transfer business for the summer, and it was an incredibly busy period for Wrexham and Phil Parkinson, with many players coming and going.
While Parkinson managed to significantly bolster the squad with the arrival of proven Championship players across the pitch, there were several significant Wrexham departures.
Paul Mullin has joined Wigan Athletic on loan, while Ollie Palmer has left Wrexham permanently.
After what looks to have been a brilliant transfer window, there is one glaring error that could cause Parkinson problems, and it involves the unpopular departure of Palmer.
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Ollie Palmer’s Wrexham departure has left Phil Parkinson with one glaring omission
The summer transfer window has seen Phil Parkinson prioritise bringing in depth in each position, something that he has mastered in most areas.
In the midfield, for example, the number of players looked very sparse, but it was corrected by a late swoop for Ben Sheaf from Coventry City.
However, issues start to arise in the forward line, with Wrexham having no obvious back-up to Kieffer Moore.
When Moore signed from Sheffield United, it was clear that Parkinson brought him in as an Ollie Palmer-esque bullying forward, but with more assurances of performing at Championship level.
If Moore catches an unfortunate injury, however, there is no obvious option to replicate his talents after Palmer was moved on. The closest that Parkinson can come is by utilising Ryan Hardie instead, but the former Plymouth Argyle man is far less of a commanding target man, something that Palmer could have supplied if called upon.
Ollie Palmer deserved a new contract
When looking at Wrexham’s departures, it is important not to let sentimental feelings get in the way of crucial transfer decisions, and that was the case with Phil Parkinson.
The Wrexham boss did not let feelings override the tough decisions, as seen by Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer’s departures from the Racecourse Ground.
However, it could be argued that he went a step too far when sanctioning the move of Palmer, given what he has offered to the club in recent years.
The Wrexham striker still had potential to play in a back-up role for the Red Dragons, and can be useful at this level, as seen by his two late goals in the EFL Cup against Hull City.