SHREWSBURY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 7: Phil Parkinson the head coach / manager of Wrexham during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Shrewsbury Town and Wrexham at New Meadow on January 7, 2024 in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)
Wrexham expert left ‘surprised’ by one Phil Parkinson decision he probably didn’t need to make
News regarding a couple of big Wrexham calls made by manager Phil Parkinson have emerged over the last week or so.
Phil Parkinson has a very strong squad for the 2024/25 season after a productive summer transfer window that saw nine new players arrive at the club.
However, the future of several Wrexham players was and still is in doubt going into 2025.
Jack Marriott, James Jones, Jacob Mendy, Anthony Forde, Steven Fletcher and Mark Howard are all in the final 12 months of their contracts, meaning they will leave the Racecourse Ground for free next year currently.
It emerged recently that Wrexham triggered a Ryan Barnett contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2026 after fears the right-back would also be on his way out at the end of this season.
Elsewhere this week, 32-year-old striker Ollie Palmer agreed to sign a new Wrexham contract that, like Barnett, sees his services maintained until 2026.
Wrexham expert surprised by Ollie Palmer contract decision
Recently, Palmer explained why he signed a new Wrexham contract, with one of the reasons a chat he had with manager Parkinson.
Now though, one Wrexham expert has questioned why the former Bolton Wanderers boss decided to offer the 32-year-old a new deal.
Speaking on the Rob. Ryan. Red podcast, journalist Nathan Salt explained his surprise at the call and stated his belief that it was a move Parkinson did not need to make.
He said: “Ollie Palmer. I just don’t think it was a move you needed to make. He’s been very good, been very good this season. He’s not scoring many goals I know he’s helping facilitate, and he’s helped Marriott a lot I think and he will help Paul Malin when he comes back in.
“But you have to wonder, his actual goal return was minimal last season it’s not going to be super high this season and if you do get up to the Championship, could he, would he accept being that Steven Fletcher that last 15 last 20. Is that how he can be effective?
“Surprised yes, but you have to say that he’s probably been knocking at the door for a while and Parkinson is probably looking at it going what’s one more year.”
Why Phil Parkinson offered Ollie Palmer new Wrexham contract
Palmer was previously a top goalscorer for the club but his return has dwindled with each passing season.
He has found the net twice this term in 10 League One fixtures but with the Englishman now in his 30s and coming toward the end of his playing career, it is easy to see why some may question Parkinson’s call.
However, the move does make sense when looking at Wrexham’s current striking options.
Marriott, as mentioned above, will be out of contract next year with his future still yet to be decided.
Meanwhile, Parkinson has been told Fletcher is not good enough to start anymore. That would leave just Paul Mullin and Modou Faal as out-and-out centre-forward options if said duo leaves.
So, while Palmer may not play as important a role as he previously has next season, keeping him at the club makes sense if for nothing more than to have a decent fourth of fifth-choice striker.
