Wrexham

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Earlier we asked what you make of the news that, from next season, the Championship play-offs will be expanded to include the teams finishing seventh and eighth?

It was announced on Thursday morning that EFL clubs voted in favour of expanding the play-offs from four to six teams.

Here's a selection of your comments...

Josh, Derby: I don't believe this is necessary. I do think that the play-off format should be aligned throughout the top five leagues, but expanding isn't needed. Better distribution of the monies involved and establishing a clear matchday structure to balance various men's and women's leagues would be a better use of everyone's time. This strikes me undue American influence.

Callum, Dartford: I think it's a good thing so teams can push for promotion that thought they wouldn't get near the play-offs.

Cato, Sheffield: If we adopted it to this season, it means that eighth-placed Derby (on 51 points) have about as much a chance of going up as third-placed Millwall (on 63 points). Plus, to accommodate the extra games, would they extend the season into June? I don't like the idea of it at all, and I hope it's short-lived.

Steve, London: Another example of football being ruined, week by week. Don't you dare think about implementing VAR too.

Mark, Stafford: As a Stoke fan, I think it's good news. The season has come to a grinding halt due to being decimated by injuries. Add to that, the quality of what is coming down from the Premier League, it would mean upsets can happen and still allow teams in that mid-table race to dream of greater heights!

Richard, Stansted: Absolutely ridiculous. What is the point of a league format if you are going to make it a bigger lottery to include even more teams at the end of the season? It also brings teams that are even less ready to actually be in the Premier League into scope. But mostly it's the undermining of the league format which makes no sense. I'm a Derby fan - and we look like we would have a chance of benefiting from this if it were in place this season.

Andy, Nuneaton: Anything that expands the opportunities for those outside of the parachute teams is a good thing. We need to get away from this elite view of the Premier League. If it was up to them, they'd stop automatic promotion and relegation and have a system like Rugby Union, where it's based on meeting certain criteria. The eighth-placed club in the Championship getting to the PL? Bring it on!

Ron, Hayling: Money, Money, Money. Players complain about the amount of games they play with the league games and cup competitions so the intention is to play even more at the end of the season. Owners will make some money but that's all that matters!

Barry, Dartford: Yes it's a fantastic for everyone, all the small teams as well as the big boys, to have something to play for. It will give the end of the season something to look forward to.

Benjamin, Poole: I'm a Charlton fan, so it's unlikely we'll come 8th in the Championship any time soon, however, this is ridiculous. More pandering to Americans to make it more likely they'll make money, which is the only thing they care about. Sporting integrity out of the window again. Shame as I felt the Championship was the last bastion of quality and integrity combined. Game has gone.

Broughton, Derby: Absolute ridiculous, put it back to the old days of three straight up, no play-offs. If you don't make top-three you don't deserve to go up.

Julian, London: The worst decision from a footballing point of view ever! The National League teams have been trying to change their system to be like the current EFL system so it seems a very strange decision for the EFL to take. You can finish 8th after 46 games and still get promoted - sporting integrity has been totally lost with this decision. Money over integrity every time!

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Wrexham's bid for an FA Cup shock against Premier League Chelsea has been hit by injury doubts over three of Phil Parkinson's key players.

Midfielder George Dobson, wing back Issy Kabore and forward Nathan Broadhead could all miss Saturday's home televised fixture in the fifth round.

The north Wales club take on Chelsea with the aim of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 1997 (17:45 GMT).

Wrexham have already knocked out top-flight opposition to get to this stage by beating Nottingham Forest at the Cae Ras.

Dobson was man of the match with two assists in that third-round win but had a midweek operation after breaking a bone in his wrist in the Championship victory at Charlton Athletic.

"There's talk he could wear a cast but we will have to see," said Parkinson.

"It's not an injury which is going to keep him out long term, but the fact that he's had to have a small operation to put a screw in there means we've got to assess it."

Parkinson said he will also run the rule over record signing Broadhead, who he said took "a whack" in the win at the Valley that retained Wrexham's place in the play-off positions.

On-loan Manchester City defender Kabore is said to have "tightness" in his hamstring, although it is not connected to the hamstring injury that saw him miss him two months of the season.

"It's been a week where we've had to recharge the batteries for quite a few of the lads who have had the busy periods, so that's been good," said Parkinson.

"We've got a few injury issues going on and we need to kind of look at those closely before the weekend, but preparations are going well."

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Wrexham have announced a summer tour of the US where they will play Premier League sides Liverpool, Leeds and Sunderland.

The Red Dragons' third US tour will begin with a game against Daniel Farke's Leeds in Tampa, Florida, on 25 July.

Phil Parkinson's men then head to New York to face Liverpool on 29 July, before rounding off their trip by taking on Sunderland in Philadelphia on 2 August.

Parkinson said: "We are all looking forward to returning to the US as part of our pre-season preparations.

"We have had terrific support on our last trips to the States, and we can't wait to see our supporters out there again, while also playing against three quality opponents in matches that will play a key part in us getting ready for the 2026/27 campaign."

Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson added: "It is exciting to be playing in Florida and New York for the first time, and of course to be returning to Philadelphia, our co-chairman Rob Mac's home city.

"The fact that we are playing Leeds United, Liverpool and Sunderland, all teams currently playing in the Premier League, promises three great occasions on big stages, and we look forward to seeing and meeting our fans there."

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Phenomenal. That was how boss Phil Parkinson described Ollie Rathbone's impact during his 18 months at Wrexham after the midfielder signed a new contract last week.

All it took was a few days for Rathbone to confirm Parkinson was not exaggerating.

The 29-year-old former Manchester United trainee's winning goal at Charlton on Saturday was his seventh in 17 league and cup appearances since returning from a long-term ankle injury in mid-December.

And he does not do simple goals either. No tap-ins or close-range headers. His 30th-minute strike at Charlton - a clever flick with his right foot followed by a low, pinpoint volley into the bottom corner with his left - was another collector's item.

"The ball came to me, I shifted it and I tried to hit the target. Nothing more to it, really," was Rathbone's modest assessment.

"I think it's instinctive when it comes to you so quickly. But also a lifetime of practice."

On the significance of his match-winning effort in south London, Rathbone added, "We had to work really hard for the win.

"Charlton are a team that constantly put you under pressure so you've got to get to the ball as quickly as possible.

"They're difficult to play against. We've played them four times over the past two seasons now [in League One and the Championship], and always acquitted ourselves really well."

Each Rathbone wonder goal seems to look more vital than the last given Wrexham are trying to secure a play-off place, their 1-0 win at The Valley earning the Red Dragons a precious four-point cushion inside the top six.

And three successive league wins have put Wrexham just six points below second-placed Middlesbrough in the race for the top flight - a pretty neat way to go into Saturday's big fifth-round FA Cup tie with Chelsea at the Stok Cae Ras.

"We can really enjoy the Chelsea game now," said Rathbone.

"We don't get the opportunity to take our eyes off the ball. It's always the next game that matters so we hadn't really talked about Chelsea.

"But now we can look forward to it. We've got nothing to lose and it'll be a special day."

Rathbone said it was a "no-brainer" to sign his contract extension last week that keeps him at the club until the end of the 2027-28 season, with fellow midfielder George Dobson agreeing a similar 12-month add-on.

"I had no other options...it was that or nothing," he joked.

"I'm really happy at the club. I think me and George have had a fantastic 18 months here. It's a great place to be."

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You might not hear the old terrace refrain of 'you're not fit to wear the shirt' as often as you used to, but it still has a better ring than 'the shirt's not fit for you to wear'.

Championship leaders Coventry City launched a new collection on Friday, proudly taking inspiration from a kit widely dubbed the 'Worst of All Time'.

A take on the club's infamous brown change strip worn away from Highfield Road from 1978 to 1981, the modern reinvention features what the club calls "a deeper chocolate plum colour with sky blue elements".

Many would suggest it sounds tastier than it looks.

But it's got us thinking... what are actually the worst EFL kits of all time? Let us know which of your club's shirts is hiding in the back of the wardrobe, or even if they were too ugly for you to even part money for them.

We'll collate a list of the biggest eyesores and will give you the chance to vote on the ghastliest of all next week.

Click here to let us know your suggestion, and you can even attach a picture if you really want to convey the horror.

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Phil Parkinson is relishing the prospect of facing his former club Charlton Athletic once again as Wrexham bid to maintain their impressive away run.

The Red Dragons are unbeaten in their past five Championship matches on the road and have claimed more points (26) than any other team in the division since Christmas.

"We've always had competitive games with Charlton over the last couple of years, both home and away," said Parkinson.

"It's a great stadium, especially when there's 20,000 plus in there.

"We went down there in the league last year and it was a great atmosphere and it's going to be a really good game."

Having won the reverse fixture 1-0 at Stok Cae Ras in November courtesy of a late Josh Windass penalty, Parkinson's men have the opportunity to claim a first league double of the season when they face Nathan Jones' men at The Valley on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"They had a dip after a very strong start and they've picked up again recently," Parkinson said of the Addicks.

"Like all of Nathan's teams, they're very hard-working, very organised and are showing all of the qualities you need to be a Championship team."

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The Red Dragons secured a famous 3-0 win over Jones' side to seal automatic promotion from League One in April last year.

And ahead of the meeting between the sides in the English capital this weekend, Parkinson stated he is hoping to create similar memories during his time as Wrexham manager.

"It's one of the most incredible days in my memory as a player or as a manager," said Parkinson.

"Just everything about that day was incredible in terms of the game in the lunchtime kick-off, the atmosphere in the ground, the celebrations after, we'll never forget that day."

He added: "The drama, the tension, the performance of the group - when it mattered most, we put in one of our best performances of the season.

"We can enjoy those memories, but this season it's now seeing if we can we create some more."

This is only the eighth time Charlton Athletic have played a home league game against Wrexham.

The Addicks have only won two of their past six league matches at The Valley.

Wrexham have won their past two league games and are hoping to make it three in a row for only the second time this season having climbed up to sixth in the table.

• Charlton have lost just one of their seven home league games against Wrexham (W2 D4). Their 2-2 draw in League One last season is the only time they have hosted the Welsh side this century.

• Following their 1-0 win in November, Wrexham are looking to complete the league double over Charlton for the second time after 1979-80.

• Charlton have not scored more than once in any of their past 11 home league games, though they have only failed to score on one occasion in that run. They last netted multiple home goals against Sheffield Wednesday in October (2-1).

• Wrexham have won four of their five away league games so far in 2026 (D1), having been winless in their final eight on the road in 2025 (D5 L3).

• Josh Windass is Wrexham's top scorer in away league games this season with five goals, though four of these came in his first five trips this term (one in his last nine).

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Phil Parkinson says Arthur Okonkwo is "improving all the time" after the goalkeeper made his 100th league appearance for Wrexham against Portsmouth.

The 24-year-old has been a pivotal figure in the Red Dragons' rise up the football pyramid since joining from Arsenal in 2023, initially on loan before signing a permanent deal a year later.

He started the current Championship season as second choice shot stopper behind summer signing Danny Ward.

However, Okonkwo has started 30 successive league matches since Ward sustained an elbow injury and is continuing to keep the fit-again Wales international out of the starting line-up.

"Arthur's a very influential signing for us when we first brought him in," said Parkinson.

"He's a player who's adapted, he's had a few injuries along the way, his jaw and his wrist. He's always come back and responded really well.

"He's a young goalkeeper improving all the time."

Okonkwo's current contract with Wrexham expires following the conclusion of the 2026-27 campaign.

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George Dobson says he is targeting more "special memories" at Wrexham after signing a new deal with the club.

The midfielder recently put pen to paper on a contract extension that ties him to the Red Dragons until the end of the 2027-28 campaign.

Having played a part in the club's promotion from League One last season, the 28-year-old is now bidding to help Wrexham in their quest to reach the Premier League.

"I'm obviously delighted. I'm really thankful to to everyone at the club for putting their faith in me and making me feel so welcome," Dobson said.

"To be rewarded with that, I was obviously chuffed. I've loved my time here, there's been special memories already and I'm just hoping we can create even more."

Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Portsmouth strengthened Wrexham's grip on a top six place ahead of Saturday's trip to Dobson's former club Charlton Athletic.

And while Phil Parkinson's side still have 12 regular season matches left to play this term, Dobson says Wrexham go into every match believing they can win at present.

"It's still a long way to go, so we know we've got to just keep trying to churn out the results," added the central midfielder.

"There's a real belief in the group. I think since we picked up those real strong run of results over Christmas, you could really feel the group growing.

"There's a real sense of belief that we're going into every game thinking that we can win, which is a great place to be as a group."

Image source, PA Media

Phil Parkinson lauded "brilliant" Sam Smith after the striker continued his impressive goal-scoring form in 2026 to help Wrexham claim a 2-1 win against Portsmouth.

The forward headed Callum Doyle's cross beyond Nicolas Schmid midway through the opening half at Stok Cae Ras to put the hosts ahead.

It was the 27-year-old's seventh goal across all competitions this season, and his fifth since the turn of the year.

"Sam scored a great header where he's overpowered the centre-back," said Parkinson.

"He was really good in that first half, he was one of the lads who had a stomach bug and he was struggling half time.

"I said, 'come on Sam, give us another 15 minutes' but Kieffer [Moore] had also been ill.

"But he's been brilliant for us, Sam, ever since he's been here. That's a real old-fashioned striker's header, a brilliant cross from Doyley and a great finish."

Max Cleworth notched his side's second goal against Pompey by heading home George Dobson's in-swinging corner shortly before the break.

"It's a really well-worked corner, Dobbo's put it right on the money and Max did what he's done for us a lot, certainly last year. He timed his movement really well and it's a great goal from him," added Parkinson.

Victory ensured Wrexham stay in sixth place in the Championship, although they opened up a four-point gap over seventh-place Southampton having secured back-to-back league wins.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Max Cleworth believes Wrexham have all the credentials to be a Championship play-off team after a battling 2-1 victory against Portsmouth moved them four points clear of the chasing pack in the race for sixth.

"I think if anyone had offered us where we were at the start of the season, people would have snapped my hand off," said Cleworth, the player with the most appearances under Phil Parkinson.

"It's a good place to be and we've certainly got the squad to keep going in the last 12 games."

Following Sam Smith's opener, defender Cleworth scored Wrexham's second with a header from George Dobson's corner.

It proved decisive as Pompey rallied in the second half to halve the deficit through Zak Swanson, although they were unable to find a late equaliser.

"It was a very good first half performance in terms of on the ball chances we had and then a bit more resolute in the second half," said the 23-year-old.

"We watched clips on them the last couple of days and they're a very, very good football team."

The two sides played out a goalless draw at Fratton Park in the reverse fixture, but this time the Red Dragons weren't to be denied as their unbeaten run stretched to four games in all competitions.

"It's sort of a polar opposite to how they played when we played them at their place, they were a lot more direct, went long and they showed that they can pass it too," added Cleworth.

"They've caused a couple of teams a lot of difficulty on their travels recently, so we didn't want to be the third team to add to that and thankfully we weren't.

"There's lots of different philosophies you notice in this league where managers have different ideas and you've got to be really switched on.

"Tonight, we were just thankful to get three points."

Two successive home wins has kept Wrexham firmly in the play-off conversation, but Cleworth is not getting carried away as the Welsh side travel to Charlton Athletic on Saturday 28 February (15:00 GMT).

"Sometimes it's harder to play the teams towards the bottom," said Cleworth.

"The league is such a good quality that you know anyone can beat anyone on their day so I think you've got to try and go in with the right mentality every game and hopefully that holds us in good stead."

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Phil Parkinson says Wrexham overcame an illness in camp to earn a hard-fought 2-1 win against Portsmouth.

Goals from Sam Smith and Max Cleworth in the first half put the Red Dragons in firm control at Stok Cae Ras.

Zak Swanson's deflected strike early on in the second half gave John Mousinho's men hope in north Wales, although the Red Dragons held on for a crucial victory.

And after the match, Parkinson confirmed goal scorer Smith and top scorer Kieffer Moore had been struggling with illness coming into the game.

"The energy levels weren't quite where they needed to be, we've had a bit of illness in the camp over the last few days," he said.

"But we just dug deep as a team and we restricted them to very few chances."

The Wrexham manager added: "A few of the lads had it and Sam at half time was feeling ill. Kieffer had already been ill over the last couple of days.

"Sometimes you get that and someone might bring it into the club from home and we'll just clear the building in the next day or two and come back ready to go again."

Victory ensured Wrexham remain sixth in the table - with Parkinson's men opening up a four-point lead over seventh-placed Southampton.

And the manager was pleased his team were able to show a different side to their game as they survived a second half fightback from the visitors to clinch a valuable three points.

"I thought we were excellent first half. We really bossed the game," added Parkinson.

"Second half, the deflected goal's gone in and we didn't quite get the control we wanted.

"But sometimes football is about finding a way to win and we've done that really well tonight."

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Wrexham's Championship trip to Watford will take place on Tuesday, 17 March (19:45 GMT).

The game had originally been scheduled for Saturday, 7 March, but has been rearranged thanks to the Red Dragons' progress in the FA Cup.

Phil Parkinson's side will take on Premier League heavyweights Chelsea in round five.