Parkinson: ‘The supporters are starting to believe in us’
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson speaks to BBC Sport Wales after his side's 1-1 draw at Leicester City on Tuesday.
Image source, Getty ImagesMax Cleworth says Wrexham will savour the moment when they go to Leicester City on Tuesday (19:45 BST) as Phil Parkinson's side go in search of a third straight away league win.
Leicester, who famously won the Premier League title in 2016, are aiming for an immediate return to the top flight this season after relegation last term.
Wrexham, by contrast, are attempting to establish themselves in the Championship having climbed into the second tier for only the second time in the club's history on the back of three successive promotions.
Defender Cleworth, one of the survivors of the Red Dragons side who were playing in the National League as recently as 2023, says league trips to clubs like Leicester are "a big thing".
"When you think back to three years ago and some of the away days in the National League, now we are going to the King Power," he said.
"You do have to pinch yourself a little bit. It's something we have to enjoy and then go out there and put in a good performance for the fans, who will once again travel in numbers.
"These are the games you want to play when you come up to the Championship."
Image source, Getty ImagesWrexham are 15th in the early-season table having lost only once in five Championship games since beginning the campaign with back-to-back league losses.
They are yet to win at home in the league since promotion from League One, but have claimed notable victories at Norwich City and Millwall in their past two away trips.
Now comes the challenge of facing fifth-placed Leicester, who have lost just one league game so far this season but have drawn the past three.
After an overhaul of Parkinson's squad during the summer transfer window, Cleworth reckons Wrexham are improving all the time.
"There was a big turnover of players this summer and it's taken a bit of time to gel," he added.
Image source, BBC SportWe asked you, Wrexham's fans, for your thoughts as Phil Parkinson's men prepare for Championship games against Leicester City and Birmingham City this week – as well as how many points they will get.
The Red Dragons are 15th in the early-season league table after Saturday's draw with Derby County made it eight points taken from the past five second-tier games.
Wrexham go to Leicester on Tuesday (19:45 BST) before Birmingham visit the Stok Cae Ras on Friday.
Here are some of your views.
Callum - I think that the message of consistency from the manager shouldn't be celebrated. No win at home yet, drawing against a Derby side that has been terrible so far this season is not something to be proud of. Next two games against Leicester and Birmingham will be interesting to see if any changes are made, however I see Wrexham getting no points from either game in current form.
Andy - Although there has been some recent improvements in the pace of our play, I think two draws would be a good outcome. Realistically, I think we will end up with one point after the Leicester and Birmingham games.
Andrew - Two difficult games against teams expected to be promoted this year, and possibly a week where Kieffer Moore may not be available, certainly for Tuesday's game at Leicester. Our performances are improving and can see us getting at least two points or possibly four with a win and draw. It will be interesting to see how Parky (Parkinson) uses his squad and would like to see [Ollie] Rathbone in the squad and getting some game time in both matches. Disappointed Rathbone was not on the bench against Derby, but maybe kept fresh for the two tough games this week.
Image source, Getty ImagesJohn - I think it will tough to get anything at Leicester, whoever the XI we start with, so maybe rotate the team and prioritise the three points against Ryan and Rob's tribute act on Friday.
Mark - I predict four points. Draw at Leicester (we have been good away this season) followed by a first home win against Birmingham. Parky is getting the new boys integrated and we look better each game.
Jimbob - Four points from the next 2 games would be a great result. But I think 3 is more realistic. C'mon you Reds!!
Jon - It feels that we might expect two competitive games, but that depends on which Wrexham team we see. The drab, boring, slow side in the first half of the Derby game and we might expect one point as a maximum. The open, more attacking, flowing team of the second half and we could be looking at four. Personally I wouldn't dream of all six points but these things can happen, sometimes...
Daniel - It's time to get serious boys! Let's get SIX!
Bob - Looking good, not being defeated by like 7-0. Just gel the team Phil.
Dave - I am a true Wrexham fan and have been for over nearly 60 years. The way they are playing at the moment being a new team in a new division, I'd love them to get points out of both matches. Let's wait and see.
Image source, OptaLeicester City and Wrexham will lock horns for the first time in more than 43 years as the Red Dragons head for the King Power on Tuesday night (19:45 BST).
After picking up their second point from four home games with Saturday's 1-1 draw against Derby, Phil Parkinson's men are seeking to re-write their own record books by winning a third straight away game and registering their first ever win over the Foxes.
Marti Cifuentes' men salvaged a point at West Brom on Friday night to make it three straight draws and five games unbeaten in the Championship but have collected seven points and are unbeaten in their three homes games so far and have conceded only once.
This will be the first meeting in any competition between Leicester City and Wrexham since a goalless draw in the second tier in April 1982.
Wrexham have never won in six previous league meetings with Leicester (D3 L3); the Foxes have only faced Crewe (10), Loughborough (10), and Scunthorpe (8) more times without ever losing in the Football League, while the Red Dragons have only faced Crystal Palace (16) more without ever winning.
Leicester have kept four clean sheets in their past five home league games, as many as their previous 30 beforehand.
Wrexham have won four of their past five away league games (L1), and could win three in a row on the road in the second tier for the first time in their history.
Wrexham's Josh Windass has scored four goals in his past three away league appearances, and could score in four in a row for the very first time in the EFL.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Carabao Cup fourth-round tie between Wrexham and Cardiff City will take place on Tuesday, 28 October (20:00 GMT).
The game at the Stok Cae Ras has been selected for live TV coverage on free-to-air ITV as well as Sky Sports.
This will be the first meeting between the two Welsh sides since 2004, when Wrexham triumphed on penalties in an FAW Premier Cup tie.
It is also the first match between the two clubs in this competition in 62 years.
Championship side Wrexham have reached the fourth round courtesy of wins over Hull City, Preston North End and Reading, while League One high-flyers Cardiff have seen off Swindon Town, Cheltenham Town and Premier League Burnley.
Image source, BBC SportWrexham face Leicester City and Birmingham City in their final two Championship matches before the penultimate international break of the year.
But how many points do you think Phil Parkinson's side will gain from their two upcoming fixtures?
Image source, Rex FeaturesBoss Phil Parkinson believes Arthur Okonkwo delivered his best performance of the season so far in Wrexham's 1-1 draw with Derby County.
The goalkeeper has started three successive Championship matches for the Red Dragons following the injury sustained by Wales international Danny Ward in the 2-0 win at Millwall in late August.
The 24-year-old was alert to deny both Max Johnston and Carlton Morris in quick succession in the second half as Wrexham's draw stretched their unbeaten run across all competitions to three matches.
"We've got to remember [Okonkwo's impact] because as much as we're saying we're disappointed we haven't won, Arthur's pulled off two great saves," said Parkinson.
"He's a player who has grown into the division. He didn't get the number one jersey at the start because I felt Wardy was more ready.
"But Arthur is now improving game by game, and that was certainly his best display. I'm pleased for him."
The draw means Wrexham have collected eight points from a possible 21 in the Championship so far this season.
They take on Leicester City on Tuesday night (19:45 BST) and then host Birmingham City three days later (20:00 BST) in their final fixture before the penultimate international break of the year.
Image source, PA MediaBoss Phil Parkinson feels Wrexham are finding consistency in the Championship after their controlled showing in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Derby County.
Lewis O'Brien's 59th-minute header at the Stok Cae Ras was cancelled out by Ben Brereton Diaz's stunning strike as the points were shared in north Wales.
But the draw with the Rams meant Wrexham are unbeaten in three matches across all competitions, and Parkinson believes his side - who had more possession, shots and shots on target against Derby - are showing signs of growth in the second tier.
"If you look at the run we've had, the Preston win, the Millwall win, we lost to QPR then we've won at Norwich and on Tuesday (against Reading) and drawn today, we're definitely seeing some consistency in our play," said the Wrexham boss.
"We're definitely learning as a team. The lads who have come up with us are learning about the demands of the Championship.
"We're all so disappointed we haven't won because the crowd were brilliant for us today.
"I've got to thank them for that because that atmosphere today was where we need it to make it an intimidating place for the opposition to play.
"I thought the crowd really played their part and I'd have loved to have rewarded them with a win."
Issa Kabore registered a third assist in just his second appearance since joining Wrexham on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
And Parkinson hailed the Burkina Faso international as a "great signing" following his impressive home debut.
"Issa was brilliant again today," said Parkinson.
"It's his quality, but he fights for every ball, he gets back quickly, he's a good defender and that was a goal that will be up there with the contenders for one of the best goals in the Championship today.
"He plays with a real heart and commitment. When we watched him, I really liked that about him.
"He runs back as quick as he goes forward. He's tenacious, he wants to win and he's a great signing for us."
Image source, Getty ImagesPhil Parkinson admits he has a number of selection dilemmas to consider as Wrexham return to Championship action against Derby County on Saturday (12:30 BST).
The 57-year-old has seen the likes of Josh Windass, Nathan Broadhead and George Thomason return from injury of late to further bolster his squad options.
Ollie Rathbone is also in line to feature in a matchday squad for the first time this season following a lengthy spell out due to an ankle injury.
"Ollie's in the squad so we'll make a decision on him," said the Wrexham manager.
"There's good competition for places and I feel there's a real togetherness in the group forming.
"Competition is good, but it's always about supporting the player who is playing instead of you on a matchday which the lads who didn't start on Tuesday (against Reading) certainly did, and likewise the lads who travelled down to Norwich as well. That's key.
"So some selection dilemmas, but we'll think long hard and hopefully get the team right."
The Rams sit 22nd in the table having claimed just one win from their opening six Championship matches this season.
And Parkinson says he has been preparing his squad to cope with the physicality of John Eustace's side as the Red Dragons go in search of a first home league win this term.
"John did well last year, he left Blackburn to go to Derby and kept them in the division," added Parkinson.
"This year, a mixture really. They'll be disappointed to lose at Preston I would imagine, but the game before that they went to West Brom and won 1-0.
"So they're a competitive Championship team as you'd expect for a club of the standing of Derby County.
"It's going to be an interesting game, they're a physical team and we've got to be ready to stand up to that, and we will be."
Image source, OptaIt's a first trip across the border into Wales this season for Derby County as they look to climb out of the relegation places with a win at Wrexham on Saturday (12:30 BST).
Wrexham are yet to win at home this season having picked up one point at the Racecourse Ground.
Derby County were edged out 1-0 by Preston North End previously, while Wrexham beat Norwich City 3-2 at Carrow Road.
This is the first league meeting between Wrexham and Derby since a 1-1 draw in the second tier in April 1982.
Derby won their last meeting with Wrexham in all competitions, beating them 3-1 in an FA Cup third round tie in 2007 thanks to an Arturo Lupoli hat-trick.
Wrexham have lost two of their three home league games this season (D1), as many as they had in their previous 27 (W20 D5).
Derby have lost just one of their last six away league games (W3 D2), going down 3-1 at Stoke on the opening weekend this season.
Wrexham have faced more shots (115) and have a higher xG against (14.9) than any other side in the Championship this season. However, Derby have had the fewest shots (42) and the lowest xG (4.5) of any side this term.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, Getty ImagesOllie Rathbone has resumed full training with Wrexham following a lengthy period on the sidelines due to an ankle injury.
The 28-year-old is yet to feature under Phil Parkinson this season as a result of the injury he sustained in the pre-season fixture with Sydney FC in July.
But Parkinson says Rathbone - scorer of eight League One goals for the Red Dragons last season - is closing in on a return to action as Wrexham prepare for Championship matches against Derby County, Leicester City and Birmingham City before the penultimate international break of 2025.
"Ollie Rathbone has trained fully today (Tuesday) for the first time and looked great," said the Wrexham boss.
"That's a huge bonus for us. You add his energy and quality into that group, the squad then starts to look where it needs to be."
Parkinson added: "To get Ollie's personality back on the training ground is a huge lift for us.
"He was outstanding for us last year and he's a player who's played in the Championship and done well.
"He had a tough season with Rotherham, his second season when they were in a bit of freefall, but the season before that he did well.
"So he's played at the level, and it's great to have him back."
Parkinson is blessed with a wealth of midfield options at present having added the likes of Lewis O'Brien, Ben Sheaf and George Thomason to his ranks during the summer transfer window.
And the manager feels his side will be in a far better position to compete in the second tier given the improved strength-in-depth he now has at his disposal.
"The options in the midfield area are getting stronger, but they needed to be," added Parkinson.
"It's a tough division and the physical demands are a lot higher than where we've been before.
"The physical data and how high that was against Norwich, it was right up where it needs to be for a good Championship side.
"We're working towards that, the training is structured to prepare the players for that."
Image source, Getty ImagesNathan Broadhead struck both goals against Reading to help fire Wrexham into the fourth round of the EFL Cup for the first time since 1977.
But the Wales international's household may well be split when Phil Parkinson's side host Cardiff City in round four next month.
Prior to the draw being made, the 27-year-old admitted he wanted Wrexham to be paired with the Bluebirds in the next round as his father supports Brian Barry-Murphy's side.
"I'd love Cardiff. My old man's a Cardiff fan," Broadhead said.
"I don't know what side he'd be on."
The former Ipswich Town man got his wish - with the pair set to meet at the Stok Cae Ras during the week beginning 27 October.
It ensures at least one Welsh team will reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
Given Swansea City's progress, the next round will see three Welsh teams feature in the last-16 for the first time in the competition's history.
And Broadhead feels the cup progress further demonstrates how Welsh football is in a good place at present.
"It just shows where Welsh football's going," he said.
"We're making steps, Craig Bellamy, Wrexham, I'm happy."
