#26, Steven Fletcher, #15, George Dobson, and #20, Olly Rathbone of Wrexham thank the fans for their support during the Sky Bet League 1 match between Birmingham City and Wrexham at St Andrews @ Knighthead Park in Birmingham, England, on September 16, 2024. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ryan Barnett steals the show as exceptional wing play inspires Wrexham win – and highlights contract priority
Wrexham got back to winning ways in style on Saturday afternoon, beating Northampton Town 4-1 at the STōK Cae Ras.
Wrexham have made a strong start to the League One season but have hit a sticky patch of late.
The midweek defeat at Stevenage meant Wrexham had failed to score from open play in four straight games.
Attacking concerns had emerged for Wrexham but Phil Parkinson’s side put that right on Saturday.
Wrexham hammered Northampton Town 4-1 on Saturday afternoon with James McClean bagging a brace.
Jack Marriott and Elliot Lee also got on the scoresheet, handing Wrexham a thumping home victory.
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Ryan Barnett steals the show for Wrexham
The focus may be on the goalscorers but Wrexham fans will be in no doubt over the man of the match on Saturday.
Ryan Barnett was simply sensational down the right flank and terrorised Northampton all day long.
McClean’s opener was set up by Barnett as he ran at his defender and whipped a pinpoint cross on the captain’s head.
Barnett then made a lung-busting run up the right, crossing in for McClean who teed up Marriott to score.
Another assist arrived as Barnett crossed for Lee to head home before crossing to set up McClean’s second.
Barnett had a huge role in every Wrexham goal and he is developing into a truly exceptional wing back at this level.
The 25-year-old is becoming a weapon in transition with his pace but the end product is becoming a consistent threat.
When Barnett is in this kind of form, few League One defences can deal with him and Parkinson will be looking for Wrexham to really utilise his attributes on a regular basis moving forward.
Any three at the back system relies heavily on wing back production and Barnett is giving Wrexham a game-changing option in that area of the pitch.
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Wrexham may need to act on Barnett contract
We would say that Barnett is showing the quality to become Wrexham’s answer at right wing back for many years to come.
That will rely on sorting out Barnett’s contract though and it may be something that Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have to resolve soon.
Barnett’s contract expires at the end of this season and he could walk away for free.
Championship clubs are surely paying close attention to Barnett’s situation and Wrexham need to accelerate talks ahead of the January transfer window.
Barnett is taking his game to another level this season and Wrexham won’t want to see him leave on the cheap in 2025.
