Wrexham were handed a devastating blow last night as James McClean was given a two-match ban after receiving his 10th yellow card of the season.
Wrexham were held to a goalless draw by play-off chasers Harrogate Town.
Phil Parkinson’s men threw the kitchen sink at the visitors, including 62% possession and 17 shots on goal, but they failed to break through a side with the second-strongest away record in the division.
Parkinson said after the game that his side gave everything and he couldn’t fault their performance until they reached the final third.
Of course, the Reds were wasteful with their crossing and shots on goal, but it ultimately didn’t do much damage as two of their rivals for promotion, Mansfield and MK Dons, both dropped points.
The biggest blow they faced was losing James McClean to a two-match suspension after he picked up a yellow card – his 10th of the season – late on in the game.
Frustratingly, the 34-year-old only needed to last out that match without getting cautioned to avoid picking up a suspension between now and the end of the season.
James McClean has been so important
Most people knew the pedigree that McClean would bring to Wrexham having played in the Premier League for many years.
Formerly a flying winger, Parkinson transformed the Irishman into an all-encompassing left wing-back before moving him into central midfield.
The Wrexham boss made that change recently and it has worked wonders. McClean has scored twice and assisted twice in six matches from a central position and has been the driving force behind their recent resurgence.
Sadly, Parkinson now has to find a temporary replacement for the next two matches and Luke Young is more than capable of stepping up.
Why Luke Young should replace McClean
The Wrexham captain has led by example every time he’s stepped onto the pitch this season; winning tackles, passing well and putting his body on the line for the team.
Hailed as “immense” for “setting the tone” in the draw against MK Dons last month, the 31-year-old may not offer the same attacking threat as McClean, but he’s defensively astute.
And with George Evans still recovering from injury, Young is the likely candidate to slot straight back into midfield after being dropped following the draw at Forest Green.
Parkinson has preferred an unbreakable midfield trio of McClean, Elliot Lee and Andy Cannon. That was unlikely to change unless he was forced into making one.
The two-match suspension handed to one of his star players has forced his hand, and Young now has to demonstrate his immense quality in the next two fixtures.