What a year it has been for Wrexham and Phil Parkinson and they are signing off with an EFL record.
Wrexham began 2024 battling it out in League Two for the first time in over 15 years.
It wasn’t easy but the Red Dragons eventually secured promotion to the EFL, finishing second in the division behind Stockport County.
Following a hectic summer transfer window that saw two club-record fees paid out, Wrexham beat Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 in their first-ever League One fixture.
There have since been a few ups and downs with dips in form and some big names suffering major injuries.
But when Wrexham face Barnsley on January 1st, they will kick off at Oakwell second in the table – miles ahead of where anyone actually expected them to be at this stage of the campaign.
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Wrexham have best defence in EFL this year
A key reason for the club’s rise up the third tier of English football is their remarkable defensive record.
Wrexham have shipped a few more goals since Arthur Okonkwo and Callum Burton were sidelined.
But the Red Dragons currently have the joint-best defence in League One this season along with promotion rivals, Birmingham City.
It’s not just in the current campaign where Wrexham have been superb at the back, however.
In fact, across all of the EFL, no team has conceded fewer goals than the Hollywood-owned outfit in 2024.
| Teams | Goals conceded in 2024 |
| Wrexham | 33 |
| Leeds United | 34 |
| Lincoln City, AFC Wimbledon | 42 |
| Birmingham, Stevenage | 43 |
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Eoghan O’Connell has been crucial for Wrexham
In 2024/25, Max Cleworth has really come into his own after being out of the starting lineup last term.
Meanwhile, following a slow start after his transfer from Leicester City, Lewis Brunt has been superb for Wrexham over the last few months.
However, across all of 2024, no defender has been more consistent for the Red Dragons than Eoghan O’Connell.
Andy Morrell praised O’Connell after one of his countless Man of the Match displays for Wrexham versus Blackpool on Boxing Day.
The centre-back constantly leads by example and while the likes of Ryan Barnett and Cleworth have taken the spotlight in recent times, it’s obvious that O’Connell’s form is one of, if not the main reason Phil Parkinson’s side have conceded so few goals.