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Tag: Parkinson
Three things Phil Parkinson must try to improve Wrexham’s poor away form
Wrexham are heading into a potential season-defining period with a visit of league leaders Birmingham City next on the agenda.
Wrexham will be looking to bounce back following a 2-1 derby defeat to Shrewsbury Town, a performance that left Parkinson slamming his side’s defending.
Jack Marriott is expected to return for the Birmingham clash in a bid to add some creativity to a frontline that has looked rather blunt in recent months.
Wrexham will be relieved that the promotion six-pointer is being held at the Racecourse Ground, the Red Dragons have won just three away from home all season and is a statistic that needs to improve should they harbour any hopes of reaching the Championship.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images Wrexham’s away record is poor
Wrexham have struggled away from home this season and have picked up just 13 points on the road compared to 38 at home. Phil Parkinson’s men boast the best home record in the division but sit in the lower reaches of the table based on their wretched away.
13 points from 12 games is simply not good enough for a side that wants to be promoted and something needs to change. Here are three things that the manager could consider when trying to improve their away record.
Wrexham should surrender possession and play on the counter attack
Wrexham like to dominate the ball and dictate the pace of play. Wingbacks Ryan Barnett and James McClean have been a big part of Wrexham’s success this season with their dynamism in wide areas within the 3-5-2 formation.
Barnett currently tops the League One assist chart and often likes to push forward however, with McClean doing the same on the other side, this can often leave Wrexham exposed defensively.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images Wrexham have picked up three away wins all season and in two of those against Peterborough and Rotherham, the Red Dragons had less than 40% of the ball.
Wrexham’s away victories 24/25 Result Peterborough V Wrexham won 2-0 Rotherham v Wrexham won 1-0 Burton v Wrexham won 1-0 Parkinson’s side surrendered possession and made themselves hard to break down before unleashing on the counter attack. It worked with both victories coming alongside clean sheets.
Wrexham should ask Barnett and McClean to be defensive-minded first to get a foothold in the game before springing a surprise counter on their opponents, it is a formula that has worked so far this campaign.
Elliot Lee needs to be given freedom to roam
Elliot Lee has been a consistent figure in Parkinson’s plans this season and has played in a variety of roles. Lee has operated as a striker, a number ten and even moved further back into a more conventional central midfield role.
Parkinson received criticism for playing Lee as a striker against Shrewsbury and it is clear the Durham-born man prefers a deeper role.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images Lee has scored six goals and made three assists in his 26 appearances this season but it is no secret that he is better deployed in a deeper role to give him more creative freedom.
Lee was used as the number ten in all three of Wrexham’s away victories this season and this formula should be reverted back to if Parkinson wants to pick up more points on the road.
Wrexham need to produce more clean sheets
It is easy to say that Wrexham need to score more goals and concede less goals to improve their away record but there is a marked difference between their home and away.
The manner and timing of goals conceded is also something for Parkinson to consider, his side are having to chase games far too often and can often lead to the players becoming desperate in their thinking.
Match statistics Home Away Clean sheets 57% 42% Opponent scoring first 14% 50% Leading at half time 50% 25% Average time leading 45% 27% Statistics via Soccerstats – correct as of 21/01/2025 It is clear that when Wrexham can pinch the first goal in a game and keep their opponents out, they then relax and play the sort of football that fans know they are capable of producing.
Parkinson will know that there is not a clear remedy to fix his side’s away day blues however, he will be more than aware that no team has been promoted with an away record as poor as Wrexham’s right now.
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- Defensive organization: Wrexham have struggled defensively on the road, conceding too many goals in away matches. Phil Parkinson must work on organizing his defense better and finding a system that can help them be more solid at the back away from home.
- Attacking creativity: Wrexham have also struggled to create chances and score goals in away matches. Parkinson must find a way to inject more creativity into his side’s attacking play and find a way to break down opposition defenses on the road.
- Mental toughness: Wrexham have often looked shaky and lacking in confidence in away matches, leading to poor performances and results. Parkinson must work on building his team’s mental toughness and resilience, ensuring they can compete and perform to their best away from home.
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Phil Parkinson could shock Wrexham fans at 2pm today by dropping 85-touch ace from his XI vs Peterborough
Wrexham go head-to-head with Peterborough United in a League One meeting in Wales later today.
The Red Dragons tasted defeat in their opening encounter of 2025, losing 2-1 to Barnsley at Oakwell.
Wrexham will be much more confident of picking up a win in their clash with Peterborough United this weekend, however.
Phil Parkinson has managed to guide the Welsh outfit to a 19-game unbeaten run at the Racecourse Ground, last losing all the way back in March 2024.
Their upcoming opponents, on paper at least, present a much easier test than the play-off chasing Barnsley did.
The Posh are down in 18th place and have been very inconsistent all the way through 2024/25 so far.
It won’t be a complete walk in the park, however, especially if one Wrexham problem rears its head again on Saturday.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images Phil Parkinson must consider dropping Max Cleworth vs Peterborough United
Wrexham still have one of the best defensive records in League One going into the latest round of games.
However, they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five fixtures in the division – a problem they really can’t afford to have given their striker’s lack of goals.
After Barnsley, Wrexham’s biggest weakness was highlighted, with it revealed that four goals out of the last five they have conceded have now come down the right of their backline.
It’s a tricky situation for Parkinson to manage given how effective that flank has been for Wrexham going forward this season.
However, with clean sheets now alluding them and the same problem emerging in each game, he should consider dropping Max Cleworth – who starts on the right of the back three – against Peterborough.
Cleworth had 85 touches, as per Sofascore, and scored in the defeat to Barnsley – his sixth goal of 2024/25 – but it’s clear something needs to change if the Red Dragons are to stop leaking goals down their right.
With Lewis Brunt injured, summer signing Dan Scarr is the most likely option to replace the 22-year-old when the teamsheet is revealed at 2pm today.
Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images Phil Parkinson could make another big Wrexham call vs Peterborough
It’s not just at the back where Parkinson may shock fans by making a big change on January 4th, however.
Wrexham’s strikers have been well off their best this term, with concerning Paul Mullin data summing up his decline.
Meanwhile, his long-time attacking partner Ollie Palmer was poor against Barnsley and now has just three goals in League One this season.
In turn, super-sub Steven Fletcher could come into the starting lineup for the clash even though he probably can’t complete the full 90 minutes.
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Wrexham fans brace yourselves! Phil Parkinson could be about to make a bold move by dropping their 85-touch ace from the starting XI in their upcoming match against Peterborough.Fans have been impressed by the player’s skill on the ball, but it seems Parkinson has other ideas for the lineup. Will this decision pay off, or will it leave fans scratching their heads?
Stay tuned for the announcement at 2pm today to see if the shock decision comes to fruition. The tension is high, and the stakes are even higher. Will Parkinson’s gamble pay off, or will it backfire? Only time will tell.
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Phil Parkinson: Wrexham boss eyes history as he reaches 1,000 games
Now managing a seventh different club in his career, Parkinson is targeting more history.
Parkinson has led Wrexham to promotion from the National League and League Two while the Red Dragons are well placed to challenge for an unprecedented third successive promotion this season in League One.
“We’re going to give it everything. There’s a desire amongst everybody at the club to give it everything to try and achieve that,” he added.
“It won’t be a lack of professionalism, detail in our preparation or lack of effort on the pitch.
“We’re gong to give it everything, let’s see where it takes us.”
His remarkable success in north Wales so far represents the best period of his managerial career – with Parkinson’s win percentage standing at 61.5% from his 195 games in charge.
His overall career record is also highly impressive, with 417 wins – at a rate of 41.7% – 274 draws and 308 defeats in total going into Saturday’s fixture at the Stok Racecourse.
Prior to his 196th game as Wrexham boss, Parkinson still has some way to go to reach the 274 he oversaw with Bradford City – who he led to promotion in 2013 in addition to reaching a League Cup final.
Those achievements were sandwiched by promotions at Colchester and Bolton Wanderers, although Parkinson was bold to drop down to non-league when Wrexham came calling in the summer of 2021.
And while he has enjoyed the ride under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney so far, Parkinson believes the future remains bright for Wrexham who are continuing to move “in the right direction”.
“The journey and the story has been incredible. To be part of this and just seeing the transformation of the club and the area as well, that’s unique,” added Parkinson, who also had spells with Hull City, Charlton Athletic and Sunderland.
“Everything is still moving forward in the right direction.
“I’ve really enjoyed it. It was a big challenge when I came in because I’d never manged in the National League before.
“You’ve got to learn the levels, it takes time. But I’ve enjoyed it every single day I come into work.”
Phil Parkinson, the current manager of Wrexham, is on the brink of reaching a significant milestone in his career – 1,000 games as a manager. With this achievement within touching distance, Parkinson is not only focused on the numbers, but also on making history with his current club.Having started his managerial career at Colchester United in 2003, Parkinson has since managed clubs such as Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland, and now Wrexham. Throughout his career, he has experienced promotion, relegation, and cup runs, all while maintaining a steady presence in the world of football management.
As he approaches his 1,000th game, Parkinson is determined to leave a lasting legacy at Wrexham. With the club currently competing in the National League, Parkinson sees an opportunity to lead Wrexham back to the Football League and make history in the process.
With his wealth of experience and tactical acumen, Parkinson has the tools to guide Wrexham to success. As he prepares to reach this significant milestone, all eyes will be on Parkinson and his team as they aim to make history and achieve their goals.
Stay tuned as Phil Parkinson looks to etch his name in the annals of football history with Wrexham.
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Phil Parkinson Reveals Constant Camera Exposure From Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham Documentary Created ‘Challenges’ for Him and His Players
“The Welcome to Wrexham documentary series and all the hype that comes with having Hollywood owners in Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds means the cameras are always going to be honed in on me and my players,” Phil Parkinson explained. The cameras have been ever-present at the SToK Racecourse, capturing the highs and lows of the team’s journey.
More than just the starry glamor of Hollywood, what Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney brought to the takeover of Wrexham AFC in 2021 was a full-fledged documentary series. The hit show Welcome to Wrexham chronicles the rise of a club from underdog status to record-breaking glory, with manager Phil Parkinson as one of its standout stars. His fiery dressing-room speeches and ‘what-you-see-is-what-you-get‘ approach have won hearts and raised eyebrows, all while steering his team through an extraordinary chapter in their history. But what happens when a small-town football club gets thrust into the global spotlight with Hollywood’s finest at the helm?
Wrexham in the spotlight and their journey through it
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Despite the constant filming, the team has adjusted remarkably well to their unusual working environment. “A dressing room is quite a unique place on a match-day. Normally, it’s a very private area, but we’ve let the cameras in, and they’ve seen it all, warts and all” Parkinson admitted during a pre-season tour of America and Canada. “It’s a challenge, but it’s part of the job. Keeping the lads grounded is important because they’ve got an unusual, extraordinary amount of attention for players at the level we’re at.” We hope that the success of the documentary doesn’t get inside the players’ heads and steer them off their path because an important year lies ahead.
Wrexham AFC has a transformative 2025 ahead. With plans to sign ex-England striker Patrick Bamford, promotion chances might not come through salary or injury woes. Improvements are underway regarding the Kop stand to 5,500 additional seats within the STōK Cae Ras stadium, including the establishment of a modern training facility that meets constant local opposition.
Linking with Reynolds and McElhenney’s vision, a potential North American tour could widen the club’s global presence. Furthermore, the team aspires to make its way into the Championship, continuing its very remarkable League One journey.
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With fame comes new responsibilities, and Parkinson has ensured his team remains focused on the pitch for the upcoming season.
Phil Parkinson’s passionate and unique leadership model driving Wrexham’s success
Naked visceral passion has characterized Phil Parkinson’s presence at Wrexham AFC. This has garnered an emphatic response from the fans and new Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The case in point is the fiery pep talks peppered with F-bombs which are typical features of every Parkinson’s dressing room scene in the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. Whether he’s rallying after a rough half or rejuvenating a side after a hard-fought win, unbridled intensity and sincere devotion to the players have been instrumental in their development.
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Parkinson’s passion has been more than motivational. It creates trust and authenticity in the team and the documentary crew. “We’re really close with the filming crew,” said the Wrexham coach. However, he admitted it is hard to have cameras around constantly. His unique style of leadership has distinct states in the series and helps him deploy the right tools at the right time.
Since then, Wrexham has been transformed from basement divisions of the National League into League One, with record-breaking spectacles. Although there is a camera from the other end for all the world to see, Parkinson has managed to keep his men looking towards the goal and oriented to make history with a third consecutive promotion. His fiery leadership is the continued driving force of success for the clubs.
Phil Parkinson, the manager of Wrexham AFC, has opened up about the challenges he and his players faced due to the constant camera exposure from Ryan Reynolds’ documentary about the club.In an interview with The Guardian, Parkinson revealed that having cameras around all the time created a unique set of challenges for him and his team. He explained that while the documentary was a great opportunity to showcase the club and its journey, it also meant that every move they made was being scrutinized and analyzed by fans and viewers.
“It’s been a bit of a challenge, to be honest,” Parkinson said. “Having cameras around all the time means that every decision we make, every training session, every game – it’s all being captured on film. It can be a bit overwhelming at times, but we’re trying to stay focused on our goals and not let the cameras distract us.”
Despite the challenges, Parkinson remains positive about the documentary and the attention it has brought to the club. He believes that it has helped raise awareness of Wrexham AFC and brought new fans to the team.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of this documentary and to have Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s support,” Parkinson added. “It’s been a unique experience, for sure, but one that we’re embracing and learning from.”
As the documentary continues to film and capture the ups and downs of Wrexham AFC, Parkinson and his players are determined to stay focused on their ultimate goal – success on the pitch. With the support of their fans and the exposure from the documentary, they hope to achieve great things in the future.
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Wrexham end 2024 with a remarkable EFL record – Phil Parkinson must be very grateful to one man
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.
Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images 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 Photo by Chris Vaughan/Getty Images 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.
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Wrexham end 2024 with a remarkable EFL record – Phil Parkinson must be very grateful to one manWrexham Football Club has had a year to remember in the EFL, ending 2024 with a remarkable record that has seen them climb the ranks and establish themselves as serious contenders in the league. And one man deserves a great deal of credit for this success – manager Phil Parkinson.
Under Parkinson’s guidance, Wrexham have gone from strength to strength, with the team putting in consistently impressive performances and securing crucial wins throughout the season. Parkinson’s tactical acumen and man-management skills have been key in getting the best out of his players and instilling a winning mentality within the squad.
But perhaps the biggest reason for Wrexham’s success in 2024 has been the stellar form of one man – the club’s star striker, who has been on fire all season. With an impressive goal-scoring record and a knack for coming up with crucial goals in big games, this player has been the driving force behind Wrexham’s climb up the league table.
Parkinson must be extremely grateful to have such a talented and reliable player leading the line for his team, and it is no surprise that Wrexham have enjoyed such success with him in the side. As the team looks ahead to the rest of the season and beyond, they will be hoping that this remarkable player can continue his scoring exploits and help them achieve even greater success in the future.
With Parkinson at the helm and their star striker in top form, Wrexham fans have every reason to be optimistic about what the future holds for their beloved club. The 2024 season may be coming to a close, but the best could still be yet to come for Wrexham Football Club.
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#Wrexham #remarkable #EFL #record #Phil #Parkinson #grateful #manRob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds must now overrule Phil Parkinson to stop one Wrexham transfer
Wrexham are already been linked with a number of names for the January transfer window.
The Red Dragons had a very active summer transfer window and have since signed three more players who were free agents in recent months.
However, at least one arrival is expected at the Racecourse Ground in January, with Wrexham eyeing a striker.
A host of names have already been linked to reinforce the club’s frontline in the second half of 2024/25.
Joe Gelhardt and Patrick Bamford are of interest to Wrexham, but the former of the Leeds United duo is likely to be the more affordable option.
Elsewhere, Harry Cornick is being linked with the Red Dragons and has been given the green light to depart his current side, Bristol City.
With less than 24 hours gone of the winter window, meanwhile, another name is said to be of interest to the Hollywood-owned club.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds must stop Phil Parkinson signing Ryan Hardie for Wrexham
It has emerged recently that Plymouth Argyle striker Ryan Hardie is wanted by Wrexham.
The Welsh outfit signing a striker with experience at a higher level does make sense and it’s something they are looking at.
But the addition of Hardie, who is said to have a £2m release clause, is not a deal Wrexham should do.
The 27-year-old has made 19 Championship appearances so far this term but has found the back of the net on just one occasion.
With Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer both failing to produce a sufficient number of goals in League One, a number nine with a proper eye for goal should be signed but it’s clear Hardie is not that.
As a result, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds should now step in to overrule Phil Parkinson and stop their club from landing the Plymouth man.
Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images What Phil Parkinson said about Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds role in Wrexham transfers
The Welsh side’s recruitment over the last few years has been solid in large part due to their current manager.
Speaking late in 2024, Parkinson revealed Reynolds and McElhenney’s role in Wrexham’s transfers, confirming they don’t get involved until the club are close to signing someone.
He said: “It’s always a bit special when Ryan is over here because he’s the joint-owner of the football club. I’m in touch with Rob and Ryan through texting etc. as we go along because they like to be updated all the time.
“We’ve had a chat and we’ve got another one about that [transfer window]. Rob and Ryan only get involved when we’re closing in on somebody.”
On this occasion, however, the American duo must step in to stop Parkinson from spending what could be seven figures on a striker with just one goal this season.
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Wrexham AFC owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have taken over the reigns at the Welsh club, bringing a wave of excitement and optimism to the fans. However, their first major decision as owners may be a controversial one.Reports have surfaced that current manager Phil Parkinson is looking to make a transfer that could potentially harm the team’s chances of success. With the January transfer window looming, it is crucial that McElhenney and Reynolds step in to prevent any detrimental moves from being made.
It is clear that the Hollywood duo’s involvement in the club goes beyond just financial backing. They have a vision for Wrexham and are committed to turning the club into a powerhouse in the football world. This means making tough decisions, even if it means overruling the current manager.
Wrexham fans are eagerly awaiting news of any potential transfers, hoping that McElhenney and Reynolds will step in to ensure that the team is strengthened rather than weakened. Only time will tell if the owners will make the right call and stop Parkinson from making a costly mistake.
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