Wrexham Season Preview
They couldn’t, could they?
After back-to-back promotions Wrexham head into League One knowing that they are now only one, not so small step, from the Championship.
There’s a lengthy departure list and a couple of interesting signings but for the first time since their purchase by Hollywood superstars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, Wrexham are not one of the favourites for promotion.
However, never say never, and despite the fanbase being happy with consolidation that word does not appear to be in the vocabulary of the owners.
Departures
Let’s start with the departure list as it is lengthy and full of experience.
Starting from the back and goalkeeper Rob Lainton who joined the club in 2018 and has gone on to make 133 appearances for the club with 60 clean sheets. Injuries have blighted him and with the arrival of others his place as number one was out of reach.
Centre back trio Aaron Hayden, Ben Tozer and Jordan Tunnicliffe have also left as has left back Callum McFadzean. Combined, that is 308 appearances for the club with Tozer having worn the armband regularly throughout his time at the Stōk Cae Ras.
Speaking of the armband, club captain Luke Young was another who departed this summer with the 31-year-old having made 246 appearances for the club, the club’s longest serving player upon his departure.
Additionally, midfielder Jordan Davies has left on loan to League Two’s Grimsby Town.
Speaking on the Sportin Wales podcast journalist and Wrexham fan Bryn Law gave his assessment of this summer’s business.
“There was a good squad there last year and it was a pretty brutal end of season sorting out in terms of the players that left,” said Law.
“Some great players left, big personalities left the club at the end of last season. It was a pretty brave release list in some ways, but it did make way for some new signings.”
The Signings
Arthur Okonkwo
Age – 22
Position – Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper signings rarely get the pulses racing for fans however making Okonkwo’s deal permanent was a must for many. Having impressed on loan from Arsenal last season Okonkwo is expected to go from strength to strength.
To date, Okonkwo has made 40 appearances for the club, keeping 16 clean sheets and whether it is consolidation or promotion this season, his performances will be a key foundation to build from.
“As much as it was expected that Okonkwo would come back, it is a really important piece of the puzzle for Wrexham,” said journalist Philip Marsh on the podcast.
“He was really good last year, had a couple of wobbly moments, but to get him in, someone they already know, to build from the back with, is a smart move.”
George Dobson
Age – 26
Position – Central Midfielder
While it may not be the most flashy, this appears to be an incredibly smart signing from Wrexham. Former Arsenal and West Ham youngster Dobson joins Wrexham following spells with Sunderland and Charlton.
Having been Charlton’s captain since the start of the 22-23 season, Dobson brings with him plenty of experience to support what is a much younger squad since the departure of the likes of Tozer and Young.
“Whether he starts or not it’s a really smart signing,” Marsh said.
“It’s the captain of Charlton deciding to go to Wrexham, that shows you the pull Wrexham has.
“He’s been the captain of a League One team for a while, probably had a few clubs going after him and he’s chosen Wrexham.”
Lewis Brunt
Age – 23
Position – Centre Back
Centre Back Lewis Brunt joins from Leicester having spent last season on loan with Mansfield Town.
Brunt made 34 appearances last season for Mansfield as they were promoted having finished third, just two points below Wrexham.
Dan Scarr
Age – 29
Position – Centre Back
Joining Brunt at the back is former Plymouth defender Scarr who has plenty of experience with 28 appearances in the Championship and 84 in EFL League One along with a further 90 in EFL League Two.
He drops down from the Championship following last season with Plymouth and will add significant competition to the back line.
“One of the things Dan Scarr said when signing was that he was really excited with the prospect of coming to a club like Wrexham,” said Law.
“All the guys have seen the project and the opportunity to rub shoulders with Ryan Reynolds or even, play your cards right, appear in the next Deadpool movie!”
Sebastian Revan
Age – 21
Position – Left Back
Left Back Revan joins from Aston Villa following a season on loan with Rotherham in the Championship where he made 36 appearances.
As a left back or left wing back, his arrival will perhaps mean a different role for James McClean who Law believes might be one of those under pressure for his position in the starting XI.
“Brevan’s been fantastic,” said Law.
“He was really good against Chelsea, has had a really good pre-season.
“I think he’s a stick-on to start and has looked really good so far. He adds an attacking dimension which Wrexham needed to add to.”
Ollie Rathbone
Age – 27
Position – Central Midfield
Rathbone joins for a club-record fee having spent last season in the Championship with alongside Revan at Rotherham.
The 27-year-old captained his side at times last season and joins having made 194 and 80 appearances in League One and the Championship respectively.
His arrival comes just before the start of the season with Law having predicted a big signing was imminent at Wrexham.
The Manager
“One of the things Phil Parkinson is invested in and I love him for it, is the group,” said Law.
“You’ve got to have the right atmosphere within the group.
“He’s done an amazing job in keeping that group grounded and focused on football when all the crazy stuff is going on around them.
“He’s been absolutely brilliant at that and he doesn’t want that upsetting the balance with a bunch of big signings.
“If you’re going to make a big big signing you’ve got to be 100% certain that it’s the right guy.”
The Bookies Thoughts
As always Dragon Bet have all the odds for Welsh football this season and they have Wrexham at 11/1 to finish top of the league this season.
That may be a tall order with the challenge of big spending Birmingham along with the likes of Mansfield, Blackpool, Huddersfield and Reading. However, a promotion at 7/2 shouldn’t be sniffed at along with a top six finish at 11/8.
In the unlikely event things do go sideways Dragon Bet have odds of 20/1 for Wrexham to be relegated to add an interesting chapter to the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary.
“The die-hard Wrexham fan, which I will count myself as one, will say ‘We will be happy with a mid-table finish,’” said Law.
“All the lads I know, will nod sagely and agree. We’ll use that word consolidation and all that stuff.
“The difference in the dynamic here is that the two guys in charge of the football club actually, although publicly they may declare those things, I don’t think they do consolidation as a concept.
“If they can do a thing then they will do a thing. The plan is to get promoted from League One to the Championship, and if it works, great. I don’t think they have any other setting.
“I probably see seven clubs in there which are bigger clubs than Wrexham, then the rest are pretty much the same size or smaller. All of the big clubs will be there and there abouts along with a couple of outriders, of which we may be one.
“We might as well keep going now, we’ve done back-to-back promotions, let’s do it again.”
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