One Wrexham forward will be keen to keep his place in the Red Dragons’ first team, despite the odds being against him.
Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have already supplied Phil Parkinson with several signings as they prepare for the 2025/26 Championship season.
In particular, Parkinson has been keen to transform his attacking options after he let Paul Mullin leave on a loan deal to Wigan Athletic, whilst Steven Fletcher left Wrexham following the conclusion of his contract.
Since then, Wrexham have signed Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle, whilst Josh Windass has also joined following his departure from Sheffield Wednesday.
Such deals have left Parkinson with a bloated selection of forwards, and whilst some may be feeling pessimistic regarding their game time, there is one Wrexham striker who will be ‘desperate’ to put his name at the top of the pecking order against all odds.
Why Sam Smith will be ‘desperate’ to continue as Wrexham’s top-choice striker
Following the arrivals of both Ryan Hardie and Josh Windass at Wrexham, it has left a cloud of doubt over who is likely to start for Phil Parkinson’s side in the Championship opener away at Southampton.
One man who will be uncertain over his game time for the upcoming season is Sam Smith, despite his brilliant goalscoring spell at Wrexham so far since he joined the club in January.
Smith previously admitted that he was ‘desperate’ to join Wrexham and get started at the STōK Cae Ras.
“There was a lot of pressure coming in and being quite a big signing.
“It’s something I enjoy, pressure is a privilege. When the opportunity came about, I was desperate to get in. I knew at this level I could help any team, I’ve proven that in the past.”
This desperation to join the club will likely translate into a desire to continue playing up top for Wrexham in the Championship, and there is no doubt that Smith will look to push himself to do so.
Sam Smith has the ambition that Phil Parkinson expects from a striker
Whilst Sam Smith is unproven at Championship level, Phil Parkinson will still be keen to hand him an opportunity after what he showed in the back end of the successful 2024/25 League One season.
The Red Dragons boss is clearly a big fan of Smith, especially after the mindset and ambition he has shown, and he will not be disposed of in favour of the new signings just yet.
Unfortunately, for the likes of Ollie Palmer and Jack Marriott, it could be a different story. The pair are set to be low down in the pecking order this season, and it would take a lot on their part to influence Parkinson.