Wrexham seriously needed the quality of James McClean in the defeat to Tranmere Rovers but he isn’t the only player Phil Parkinson has missed recently.
Wrexham were toothless in their 1-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers, lacking quality supply from their midfield and ruthlessness in and around the box.
A huge reason behind their shortcomings was down to James McClean‘s unavailability.
The 34-year-old was handed a two-match suspension after receiving his 10th yellow card of the season in the goalless draw against Harrogate Town.
Hailed as “phenomenal” recently by manager Phil Parkinson, McClean’s transition into central midfield saw his incredible technical attributes come to the fore, including his ability to drive forward, take the ball in tight spaces and supply goals centrally.
The Irishman netted twice and laid on two assists from five appearances as a midfielder while beginning to form a strong partnership with Elliot Lee and Andy Cannon.
It is fair to say that Wrexham struggled in his absence, but luckily, they are only without him for one more game and he should return to play in the top-of-the-table clash against Mansfield.
McClean being unavailable has sadly come at a time when Parkinson is without one of his other key players, George Evans.
Phil Parkinson needs George Evans to return
A summer arrival from Championship side Millwall, Evans is one of several players in the Wrexham squad who is too good for League Two.
Previously lauded as a “real talent” by journalist Richard Cusack, the 29-year-old slotted perfectly into his role as a defensive midfielder.
Across 24 appearances in the fourth tier, Evans has won 61% of his ground duels and recovered an impressive 5 balls per game.
A ball-winning machine centrally and a screen for the Wrexham back three, the defensive midfielder became a crucial piece to Parkinson’s promotion puzzle until he sustained an injury in the win over Sutton United in February.
Luckily, the Manchester City academy graduate was pictured in training last week after missing eight games in the league, in which the Reds have won just three.
This offers supporters hope that they’ll see Evans return to the starting XI once the season closes and could yet play a crucial role in their push for promotion.
That is a dream that Parkinson will be hoping gets fulfilled as the former Derby County midfielder has been exceptional and boasts an abundance of Championship and League One experience.
Wrexham have also missed him because he does a job of pinching the ball back in that deep-lying midfield role that no one else can.
He upholds high standards, the level that have seen him excel in the second tier and if the Reds do win promotion, he’ll more than hold his own in the third tier.