Wrexham were dealt a huge blow by fellow promotion chasers Leyton Orient on Tuesday evening.
It’s been a rough start to 2025 for Wrexham, who have now lost back-to-back home games and picked up just two league victories in eight.
The Red Dragons clashed with Leyton Orient at the Racecourse Ground on February 18th and it was a night to forget.
After Ollie Rathbone opened the scoring with 15 minutes on the clock, Wrexham looked on course to pick up two wins on the spin.
However, Orient completely dominated the tie for large periods after going behind and eventually came out on top.
After Wrexham lost 2-1 to Leyton Orient, they dropped five points behind Wycombe Wanderers – a result that could have huge implications for one star and his long-term future.
Wrexham midfielder Ollie Rathbone is too good for League One
Wrexham’s chances of securing promotion via the automatic spots are now very slim and while play-offs are likely, fans will already be very familiar with how much their team have struggled in them over the years.
Should the Red Dragons fail to go up, it does seem likely, after several years of recruiting well, some of their stars will begin to be poached by teams in higher divisions.
Ryan Barnett had transfer interest earlier this season and has since signed a new contract.
Wrexham have been told they could lose Max Cleworth as well given his form in 2024/25.
However, it’s become clear after his recent run of form that Rathbone is another player Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds may be forced to sanction the sale of if Wrexham don’t get promoted this season.
Phil Parkinson comments on Ollie Rathbone after another Wrexham goal
After scoring against Leyton Orient, the midfielder now has five goal contributions in his last seven league matches.
Parkinson praised Rathbone after the 2-1 defeat, labelling the 28-year-old as ‘terrific’.
He said: “It was a great finish from him, it was a very good delivery from Jim,.
“He’s in a good vein of form and it was a terrific finish. All-round, we didn’t get him on the ball as much as we’d have liked.
“He relies on people giving him the ball in that pocket and then driving at the opposition but the times we got him on the ball in the second half were few and far between, but yeah, we’re pleased he’s got another one.”
Rathbone has quickly established himself as one of Wrexham’s most crucial players but it does seem like only a matter of time before Championship clubs come knocking. And if they are still stuck in the third tier, the Hollywood-owned club will have little in the way of bargaining chips when it comes to convincing one of their stars to stay.