Wrexham’s automatic promotion hopes have taken a hit after losing 2-0 away at Reading on Tuesday night.
Wrexham beat Rotherham United 1-0 on Saturday afternoon, snapping a shaky run at the STōK Cae Ras in the process.
After being so good at home this season, Wrexham suddenly struggled to win games in those home comforts.
At the same time, Wrexham’s away form completely flipped too, suddenly stringing together wins on the road.
Well, that home win on Saturday has now been followed by an away defeat at Reading with Phil Parkinson no doubt concerned by the inconsistency.
Harvey Knibbs and Lewis Wing scored the goals to hand Reading a 2-0 victory and seriously dent Wrexham’s automatic promotion hopes ahead of facing Wycombe Wanderers this weekend.
- READ MORE: 3/10 player offered nothing and Sebastian Revan really struggled during Wrexham defeat to Reading
Phil Parkinson makes big decision on Paul Mullin
Wrexham fans have raised an eyebrow upon seeing Parkinson’s lineup before the game.
Jay Rodriguez and Sam Smith started up top once again but the substitutes selected were a little surprising.
Steven Fletcher was named on the bench as usual, but Jack Marriott wasn’t involved – paving the way for a striker to take his place on the bench.
Yet rather than call on Paul Mullin, Parkinson decided to stick Modou Faal on the bench instead.
Faal has been improving over the season but has mostly been limited to EFL Trophy action this season.
The Gambian hasn’t even started a single League One game this season but was still picked ahead of Mullin.
Mullin has been left out of late but many Wrexham fans would have expected him to step up if Marriott or Fletcher were missing out.
Unless Mullin has picked up an injury which hasn’t been publicised, the decision go with Faal seems to be a clear message that Mullin is well out of the plans now.
We could understand when it was Marriott and Fletcher on the bench ahead of Mullin given their proven goalscoring ability, but youngster Faal is still a work in progress – and selecting him on the bench raises major questions about the future for Mullin.
The end may be in sight for Mullin
We truly hate to say it and have been desperately rooting for Mullin to make a big impact this season.
This campaign has taken a turn though; Mullin isn’t just struggling to make the desired impact on the pitch, he is now failing to even make the bench on a regular basis.
Wrexham are aiming to reach the Championship and if Mullin isn’t getting a look-in now, it’s difficult to imagine him returning next season as things stand.
Whether Wrexham are up in the Championship or again chasing promotion from League One, Mullin seemingly isn’t in Parkinson’s plans.
If this is the beginning of the end, then it’s a sad situation and a slow exit not befitting of a player who has become a hero at Wrexham.
We have no doubt that Mullin will go on to score plenty of goals at his next club, but the prospect of him leaving this summer without another appearance to his name is a difficult one to swallow.