Phil Parkinson is going to have a lot of tough calls to make at Wrexham in 2025.
We’re only a week into 2025 but the Wrexham manager already has many things to consider.
Phil Parkinson has seen the majority of his regular centre-forwards flounder on the goal front this term.
However, the future of Sam Dalby is still hanging in the balance amid his excellent form for Dundee United.
The 10-goal ace can be recalled in January but recent comments from Parkinson suggest that won’t happen.
Whether or not that will come back to bite the Red Dragons in their hunt for promotion remains to be seen.
Parkinson must also decide what to do with all of the Wrexham players whose contracts expire in 2025.
Record-setting Steven Fletcher among Wrexham players out of contract in 2025
Ollie Palmer and Ryan Barnett agreed extensions with the club in the last few months of 2024.
But there are a number of players who are due to leave the club on a free transfer in the summer.
One of those players is Steven Fletcher, who joined the club after leaving Dundee United in July 2023.
He had a very slow start to 2024/25, in part due to injuries, but has been crucial for Wrexham of late.
Parkinson heaped praise on Fletcher after his role in the Red Dragons beating Peterborough United this past weekend.
And following that tie, the Scotsman became the first Wrexham player to score as a substitute in four consecutive home games.
All five of his strikes this campaign have come off the bench, which means he’s also one substitute goal away from breaking the record for most goals scored as a sub – currently held by John Paskin 1992/93, Hector Sam 2002/03 and 2004/05, Adrian Cieslewicz 2012/13 and Fletcher this campaign.
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Phil Parkinson can’t win with Steven Fletcher future call
With Fletcher in such good form right now – he’s currently joint-top scorer in the league along with Jack Marriott – fans probably want to see his contract extended.
However, the Shrewsbury-born striker is already 37 and will be 38 before 2024/25 comes to a close.
So, if Wrexham do offer him a new contract, they will be stuck paying the wages of a player who already can’t complete 90 minutes of football.
Alternatively, if he’s let go in June, Parkinson will likely receive some backlash from fans given how important he’s been to the Red Dragons picking up points in key games this season.
Of course, his performances could dip in the coming months but right now, it seems like Parkinson can’t win no matter what decision he makes over Fletcher’s future.