MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Wrexham Head Coach Phil Parkinson during the Sky Bet League Two match between Milton Keynes Dons and Wrexham at Stadium MK on February 20, 2024 in Milton Keynes, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Wembley ‘prize’ keeps Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney & Wrexham interested as Red Dragons refuse to write off any trophy bids
A third successive promotion is the obvious priority for all concerned at SToK Racecourse, with the Red Dragons making an impressive start to life in League One. A top-two finish would deliver an automatic step up into the Championship, while there are four play-off tickets up for grabs.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Alongside their league campaign – and with a Carabao Cup defeat at Sheffield United already being suffered – Wrexham have knockout competition on their schedule in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. Having seen off Salford in their first group stage fixture, victory over Wolves’ U21 side will secure safe passage into the last 32.
WHAT PARKINSON SAID
Phil Parkinson is using the tournament to give game time to those that sit on the fringes of his first-team plans, but no potential shot at silverware will be ignored. Wrexham’s manager has said: “This competition is an exciting one because the prize is a trip to Wembley so you never discount it. But as a manager you have got to utilise the squad for the motivation of the group.
“We are not about 11 players, we are about the whole squad pulling together. Working on the training pitch, driving each other on whether you are in or out of the team. We showed that against Salford.”
WHAT NEXT?
Wrexham reached the last 32 of the EFL Trophy last season before coming unstuck against Burton Albion. Their last trip to Wembley came in 2022, a year after Reynolds and McElhenney completed their stunning takeover of the club, with FA Trophy heartache suffered that day against Bromley.
Having good home form is a must for any side no matter what division you are in but in the EFL the margins are very tight and an impressive record on your own patch is often the difference for sides that achieve promotion. Wrexham have been one of the best home sides in the country and have made the Stōk Cae Ras a fortress, topping the League Two home table in 2023/24 with 54 points from their 23 outings.
