Wrexham

We asked Wrexham supporters if the Red Dragons' finishing is holding them back after manager Phil Parkinson said his side must be more clinical with their chances.

Here is what some fans had to say:

Phil: We have too many injured strikers. How can they recover and then be up to match speed on their return? Needed a decent striker in the summer instead of our obsession with wing-backs. We have created our own troubles and need a top striker next transfer window.

Huw: Poor passing is to blame for results to date. Better delivery will result in more goals. Every team has injuries but we miss [Josh] Windass greatly. Need to strengthen the attack in January. We will stay up but it is going to be a long season!

Jay: Feels like the fans have turned. Unfortunately feels like Parky (Parkinson) is on borrowed time now. In my opinion, £8m should buy a keeper who is far more consistent than [Anthony] Patterson, and £7.5m (plus add-ons) should buy a player who's had FAR more impact than [Nathan] Broadhead.

While our business in the National League, League One and League Two was excellent, it's been abysmal both seasons in the Championship.

Dafydd: A consistent finisher up top has been needed for the last four-five transfer windows. It should be the top priority in January, though finding such a striker at a reasonable price will prove a tough ask for Steve Nickson.

Philip: Hit and hope is Wrexham's strategy. Their build-up play is so predictable, teams find it easy to counteract this with pace. Some of the players are like headless chickens running after lost causes.

How many midfielders do you need who get in each other's way? They haven't learned from the West Ham defeat. If you think Parkinson will turn it around you're very much mistaken. Old school manager.

Mike: Strikers, played in their natural position or in a good partnership, will always find the net. We don't have a working partnership, aren't playing people where they want to be and have rarely created as many chances as we did at Ewood [Park]. Our problems are all over the pitch.

Lucy: Wrexham are looking at the wrong end to solve their woes. What needs fixing first and fast is their leaky defence. They concede goals for fun. After 12 games they have let in an average of 1.5 goals per game.

This means that on average they can only win a game if they score two goals. Their defence has taken the 0-0 and the 1-1 draws off the table. They have taken the 1-0 victory off the table.

If they fix things at the back they will start to accumulate more points. They will move up the table and teams they play will have less confidence as they will have to work harder to get a goal. Unless this changes Wrexham will continue to be in the lower half of the Championship rather than pressing for a play-off place. Yes, good teams score goals, but they're also parsimonious at the back.

Wrexham suffered a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, but the scoreline only told part of the story.

The Red Dragons registered 24 shots and created a host of opportunities at Ewood Park, with Sam Smith, Kieffer Moore and Joe Worrall all going close after the break.

Manager Phil Parkinson said his side must be more clinical with the chances they create.

Are you concerned by Wrexham's lack of a cutting edge in front of goal, or is it only a matter of time before the chances start being converted?

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Phil Parkinson says Wrexham must assess the quality of their end product following a goal-shy 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

The Red Dragons, who have lost three of their past six Championship matches, registered 24 shots against Rovers but only managed one on target.

Defeat leaves Wrexham 17th in the division, half a dozen points clear of the drop zone and also six points adrift of the play-off places.

Parkinson insisted his side must do better with the chances they create when they visit Sheffield United on Friday, 30 October (20:00 BST).

"We have to look at this performance, look at the quality of the crossing and why we didn't get enough first contacts on set plays," said Parkinson.

"We had nine. We had wide free-kicks. We had a few scrambles, but for the presence we had in that goal, we needed to do more."

According to stats, Wrexham are among the Championship's worst performers in goalscoring metrics.

Only three teams have averaged fewer than Wrexham's 3.4 shots on target per match, while their expected goals rate of 13.6 is the sixth-lowest in the division.

These stats are more concerning when you consider that the Racecourse side have kept only two clean sheets in 12 league fixtures.

"We had enough pressure today to produce more quality and test the keeper more than we did," added Parkinson whose side had scored four to beat Preston in their previous game.

"Football is about final-third end product. Last week we had it, today we couldn't find the moment.

"Football is about when the moments come. Can we show the clinical edge and at the very least make the goalkeeper work?

"I've got to reiterate that their defenders put their bodies on the line to block our shots, but we could have done better.

"If you look at the stats, 24 attempts and one on target. That's not enough. When we were in the final third, we were not good enough."

Image source, Matt West/Shutterstock

Phil Parkinson confirmed Ben Sheaf has resumed full training ahead of Wrexham's Championship contest with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The midfielder made his long-awaited return to action in the Red Dragons' 2-1 win over Southampton on 19 September but missed the matches against Derby County, West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End due to a groin issue.

Long-term absentees George Thomason and Max Cleworth have also joined in with training this week, although they are unlikely to be available until after the November international break.

"Sheafo is back in training today, full training," Parkinson said.

"Thommo and Max did part of the session. So it's a huge lift for everybody to see those boys out there.

"It really thickens up the numbers in the squad and it's good to get those lads back on the training pitch."

Last season's top scorer Josh Windass was withdrawn after just 15 minutes of his side's 1-1 draw with Derby earlier this month due to an ankle injury.

It is an issue that has kept him out of the games against West Brom and Preston, and the 32-year-old is also set to miss the fixture with Blackburn this weekend.

Wales international Nathan Broadhead has not featured in any of Wrexham's past eight Championship matches and has been sidelined with a thigh injury since mid-September.

Liberato Cacace has not featured for Wrexham this term and is continuing to recover from his latest calf injury.

"Josh has got a boot on to protect his ankle at the moment," added Parkinson.

"I think it's at the weekend that comes off and then Kevin [Mulholland, head physiotherapist] and his team can then really start assessing the ankle and look to progress Josh.

"Broady is out on the grass still doing his fitness work. The next stage for him is striking the ball, because it was a thigh injury.

"Libby is in the gym at the moment but that's more of a long-term injury."

Image source, BBC Sport

Wrexham returned to winning ways with an impressive 4-1 victory over Preston North End last weekend.

Phil Parkinson's side face Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers in their final four games prior to the November international break.

So what have you made of the campaign as a whole so far? And do you think the Red Dragons can now truly ignite their play-off bid?

Send us your views here.

Ian Hunt and Ian Mitchelmore on speculation around Wrexham's boss, and a crucial weekend win over Preston North End in the Championship.

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Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was pleased with the "fighting spirit" his side showed to come back to draw 1-1 at Derby County.

Parkinson's side host West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday before Preston North End's visit to north Wales next Saturday.

What do you make of how things have evolved so far this campaign, and what lies ahead?

Let us know what you think by clicking here.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil Parkinson praised Ben Whiteman's "most complete performance" for Wrexham after the midfielder scored his first goal for the club in a 4-1 win over former side Preston North End.

Whiteman, 30, was booed by Preston's travelling supporters at the Racecourse Ground following his controversial departure from Deepdale in August.

But the former Preston captain responded by scoring Wrexham's second goal in an emphatic victory.

"All you can do is do your talking on the pitch and he did that today," said Parkinson.

"It's probably his most complete performance he's had for us and I'm so pleased for him.

"He's a great lad, he cares a lot. It's a good day for Ben Whiteman."

Preston accepted a bid from Wrexham for Whiteman in August after the midfielder told then manager Paul Heckingbottom he had "played his last game" for the club.

"Ben at the time was told that if a bid came in, they'd respect his wishes in terms of he fancied a fresh start," Parkinson added.

"We put a bid in and they accepted it and that's it.

"It wasn't a money thing for Ben, I can assure you of that.

"He just had been at Preston a long time and he fancied a fresh challenge and that's the way football is."

Image source, Getty Images

Phil Parkinson says Wrexham's focus must be solely on their own performance as they look to return to winning ways against the Championship's bottom side Preston North End today (15:00 BST).

The Red Dragons head into the contest on the back of a disappointing 2-1 loss at home to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night.

The Lilywhites have had more serious struggles this season, having gained just four of the 30 points on offer so far in the league.

And while there is some uncertainty over how North End will approach the match under new boss Graham Alexander, Parkinson feels Wrexham must concentrate on their own game.

"With Graham, he's played 3-4-3 at Bradford City, and he's set up that way straight away at Preston," said Parkinson.

"He had a lot of success at Bradford in terms of that shape.

"They were a bit unlucky against Millwall, and they got overpowered a bit against Birmingham.

"He's probably still getting to know all of his players and looking at their strengths and weaknesses.

"But I think from our point of view, whoever we're playing, whatever position they are in the league, it's about ourselves.

"Come five o'clock, the areas we've spoken about with the group, we want to see that improvement in our performance to give us the best chance of getting back to winning ways."

Parkinson has managed against Alexander - who led the Wrexham manager's former club Bradford to promotion from League Two in 2024-25 - on numerous occasions.

Ahead of the meeting between the sides at the Racecourse Ground, Parkinson praised Alexander for the work he did at Valley Parade.

"Graham's a top manager," said Parkinson.

"He had a couple of disappointing ones before he went to Bradford, but he did a brilliant job there, and he's very well respected for the job he did.

"He's left them top of the table, and him and his staff are great, but of course it's always competitive on the touchline.

"After the games, we've come across Graham and his staff a lot over the years, and they're good football people."

Image source, Getty Images

Matty James says he is continuing to manage his back injury but hopes to be on the cusp of a return to action for Wrexham.

The midfielder missed recent Championship games against Derby and West Bromwich Albion after receiving an epidural for an ongoing back problem during the international break.

But having returned to training since sustaining the issue, James feels he is now nearing a comeback to match action.

"It was just a minor one," he said of the injury.

"It's not been too long in terms of training-wise, but I had to have an injection before the Derby game, which ruled me out of them two games.

"I've started doing some individual work now, and I'm back on the grass, so we'll see how I react."

The 35-year-old added: "I feel alright, to be fair. It's an ongoing thing that I've had for a few years, so it's manageable. I'm quite relaxed about it.

"It's just making sure that when I come back, I come back properly and I'm not in too much discomfort."

While there is uncertainty over James' availability for Saturday's fixture with Preston North End in north Wales (15:00 BST), boss Phil Parkinson said he does not expect any of his injured players to return against the Lilywhites.

James, Josh Windass, Ben Sheaf, Nathan Broadhead, Max Cleworth, George Thomason and Liberato Cacace have all been absent of late.

On his side's injury situation, Parkinson said: "That, at the moment, is not going to get any better as we go into a free week next week.

"We're just focusing on the players we've got available and how we can make the team a stronger and more impactful one going one way, and more secure in certain situations defensively."

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson is still targeting a spot in the play-offs after the Red Dragons' "disrupted" start to the Championship season.

Image source, Opta

Wrexham will seek to get back on track as they welcome basement-boys Preston North End to the Cae Ras on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Red Dragons conceded twice late on to slip to a 2-1 home defeat to West Brom on Tuesday and lie 17th, three points clear of the drop zone.

North End have made their worst start in over a century and were thumped 4-0 at Birmingham on the same night and have taken just one point from their past four matches, losing both under Graham Alexander without scoring, to sit effectively five points from safety after 10 games.

• After their 2-1 win in December 2025, Wrexham could enjoy back-to-back league victories over Preston for the first time since January 1980.

• Preston have only won one of their past eight league visits to Wrexham (D4 L3), a 5-0 victory in the 1998-99 campaign.

• Wrexham have won just two of their opening 10 Championship matches so far this season (D5 L3) – their total points haul of 11 is one more than at the same stage of last season, however.

• With just four points through their opening 10 Championship matches so far this season (W1 D1 L8), Preston have made their worst start to a campaign at this stage since 1924-25, holding an identical record that season during which they were relegated from the top-flight.

• At 28 years and 51 days Wrexham possess the oldest average starting XI in the Championship this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Graham Alexander says Phil Parkinson has done an "unbelievable job" at Wrexham ahead of Preston North End's trip to the Racecourse Ground on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Red Dragons are bidding to respond to Tuesday night's disappointing 2-1 loss at home to West Bromwich Albion when they host the Lilywhites this weekend.

Ahead of the contest in north Wales, Alexander - who was named as Paul Heckingbottom's successor at Deepdale in late September - described Parkinson as a "fierce competitor".

"He's a competitive manager, a successful manager. He's done an unbelievable job at Wrexham," said Alexander.

"Winning is hard, I've said that many times. It's what he's done all over his career.

"I know him reasonably well; he's a fierce competitor. We've had some good battles over time; we've not been the best of mates on the touchline.

"I've met him a few times off the pitch, and we've got the utmost respect for each other.

"I know how he thinks, he knows how I think, we both want to win."

North End head to the Racecourse Ground as the Championship's bottom club, having won just once this season.

Alexander - who made more than 400 appearances across two spells as a player for the Lancashire club - has overseen defeats by Millwall and Birmingham City since taking charge last month.

The former Scotland international has urged Preston supporters to keep faith with his side - who have collected just four of the 30 points on offer so far this season.

"I'm not into these big statements that promise this and that. I'll never be that guy. I just want to get outcomes," he added.

"There's a lot of work ahead of us. Just be faithful with us, believe in us, and that will be enough.

"That's all I require from the fans. I know their support for this club and their love for the club is there year in, year out."

Aled Williams
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Rex Features

The reaction from Wrexham supporters following their Championship defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion summed up their frustration.

A brief chorus of boos rang out at the Racecourse at the conclusion of a game in which the hosts blew a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 against the Baggies.

Manager Phil Parkinson accepted that criticism of himself and his team's performance would follow a second home loss this campaign.

Although Wrexham are only three points short of the top eight, their campaign is yet to take off.

"I think it was frustration at a disappointing home performance," former Wrexham midfielder Barry Horne told BBC Radio Wales Sport of the boos at full-time.

"When they were chasing the game, Wrexham ran out of ideas, and I think that was the frustration from the crowd."

It is a view shared by another ex-Wrexham midfielder, Waynne Phillips.

"That's what happens when a team doesn't play well," Phillips told BBC Radio Cymru.

"But they have to turn off the noise, and Phil Parkinson has proved that on many occasions that he can do that very well.

"They will look back on this game to see what they could have done better, and there are a lot of things they could have done better."

That next game is again at home on Saturday against Preston North End, a side sat bottom of the table with only one win so far this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham sit 16th in the table before Wednesday's Championship action, with a point more than they mustered at this stage last season.

"Wrexham aren't a million miles away from where I expected them to be at this stage of the season," Horne added.

"I expected them to be mid-table within striking distance of the play-offs and that's more or less where they are.

"The worry is that you can't say they are playing well, and the problem that Wrexham have got is that this is a very, very difficult league."

Horne, who represented Wales 59 times, feels Parkinson is still searching for his best lineup.

The Wrexham boss made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Derby County on Saturday, with forward Josh Windass ruled out with an ankle injury.

Injuries have forced Parkinson to do without defenders Max Cleworth and Ben Sheaf, midfielder Matty James and forward Nathan Broadhead.

"I'm pretty certain in saying Phil Parkinson, unusually for his time at Wrexham, doesn't know what his best team is," former Wales captain Horne added.

"When Wrexham have climbed through the divisions and have done well, he was pretty much certain who seven or eight starting players were going to be.

"This season there's only a couple of players who have played nearly all of the games.

"The rest it's just been a mishmash, constant turnover, especially in the midfield positions where Phil Parkinson can't seem to find the best combination.

"Players can't find any consistency as they're not getting a run in the team, which doesn't help. And there's just a lack of creativity there.

"[Ollie] Rathbone and [Callum] O'Hare were busy early on - they tried, and they were energetic, but they just weren't producing anything.

"Defensively, Wrexham are okay, but for the two goals, they switched off. Could they have done better? The answer would be yes."

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson says the club need to stick together after the Red Dragons blew a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 against West Brom.

Image source, Getty Images

Captain Dom Hyam said Wrexham were "hurting" after their "frustrating" defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion in the Championship.

Kieffer Moore's stunning strike put the Red Dragons ahead midway through the second half before the Baggies hit back with two late goals to win 2-1.

"We worked so hard for 70 minutes of the game to give two goals away at the end, it was really frustrating," Hyam said.

"There's enough experience on the pitch to see a 1-0 win out, especially at home.

"If we're not going to get the second goal then we need to be resolute and work even harder than we did to preserve the lead.

"We're hurting and it's frustrating, but the good thing with football is that there's another game on Saturday.

"It's tough to take right now but we're professionals and we go again. When the chips are down we need a good performance."

Wrexham host bottom of the table Preston North End on Saturday.