Wrexham head into their season opener at Southampton with eight new signings already confirmed.
Wrexham completed the signing of Kieffer Moore to further strengthen their squad with notable Championship experience in the Welsh striker.
Phil Parkinson wants further additions before the window closes but now has the task of putting together his team for the opening game.
The Wrexham boss has a host of options to choose from and although the Red Dragons go into the game as huge underdogs, fans do have some cause for optimism as the club make its return to the second tier for the first time since 1982.
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Three reasons for Wrexham fans to be optimistic against Southampton
An away fixture against one of the relegated Premier League clubs. Wrexham could not have wished for a more challenging start to life in the Championship.
New signings will need time to gel together and the Wrexham squad from last season had very little experience of the second tier.
However, the Red Dragons are used to defying expectations and Wrexham Insider has looked at reasons for fans to be optimistic that the team can grab a positive result in their season opener at St Mary’s Stadium.
Pressure is on new Southampton manager Will Still
Let’s be realistic, all of the pressure and expectation come the game is on Southampton and their new manager Will Still.
Still himself is yet to taste Championship football having got the job after impressive work over in France with Reims.
Southampton have been impressive in pre-season, however, once that whistle kicks off and points are up for grabs, the pressure of the situation changes.
If Wrexham can make life difficult for the Saints in the opening exchanges, the crowd will soon turn from start of season enthusiasm to frustration at their side struggling once again.
Wrexham still have their defensive solidity
Wrexham conceded just 34 goals last season. They had the second best defence in the division behind title winners Birmingham City.
Parkinson has got his players well drilled and the majority of the squad are adept at playing the 3-5-2 formation he is likely to begin with.
The system creates a solid defensive platform for the team to play from and Southampton will have to be at their best to break it down.
Arthur Okonkwo missed two months of last season and still managed to keep a record number of clean sheets.
Conor Coady’s positive influence on Max Cleworth and Lewis Brunt will make it a back three that can be relied upon to do their duties well.
Then, the energy of Lewis O’Brien in midfield and wingbacks Ryan Longman and James McClean will make life incredibly tough for the Saints to find space and play the football they want to play.
It may not be the prettiest first performance, it may not win the plaudits of opposition fans and pundits, but Wrexham will be hard to beat.
Wrexham have proven Championship goalscorers
Goals and creativity were a huge problem for the side last campaign and if it wasn’t for that defensive solidity, the Red Dragons would not have got over the line for promotion.
A lot of games were won 1-0 and whilst there is absolutely nothing wrong with that in football, Wrexham knew they needed more firepower in the Championship.
The recruitment this summer has been superb. Ryan Hardie scored ten goals in the division last season for a struggling Plymouth side and has already shown he will be a handful.
Josh Windass was superb for Sheffield Wednesday and Windass has impressed fans in pre-season with a sumptuous volley against Groningen.
Some have been divided over the signing of Kieffer Moore, but there is no denying the striker knows where the goal is at this level and can provide a real aerial threat.
Wrexham will surrender possession against Southampton, they will sit back in a shape and soak up pressure, however, they have the players on the break to cause an upset.