Parkinson: 'QPR were more clinical'
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson reflects on his side's 3-1 loss to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.
Match report: QPR beat Wrexham to seal back-to-back wins
Image source, PA MediaIt proved to be another disappointing and frustrating afternoon for Wrexham as they were beaten 3-1 by Queens Park Rangers.
But Kieffer Moore once again impressed and further highlighted why he is so perfectly suited to Phil Parkinson's style.
The striker's hold-up and link-up play was nigh-on immaculate against the Rs, as was his work in both boxes.
Moore won nine aerial duels - more than double that of any other player on the pitch - and netted with his sole effort on target.
His two dribbles were more than any Wrexham player while he won the joint-most (two) free-kicks for his side. Defensively, Moore also contributed three clearances.
"I don't think Kieffer can do much more in a game of football for his team," said manager Phil Parkinson.
"He's ran, he's challenged, he's scored a goal, he's defended the box. He is what we know, a really good player, and his performance deserved to be on the winning team."
With four goals in five Championship outings this season, Moore is the joint-second top scorer in the division. It also means he is heavily outperforming his xG of 2.05.
Lewis O'Brien and George Dobson were also among those to show their worth on what was an otherwise forgettable afternoon against Julien Stephan's side.
But for Moore, the Wales forward has wasted no time in proving he is fully suited to the methods of the manager - even if results have been underwhelming early on.
Image source, PA MediaPhil Parkinson admits Wrexham players will know they could have done better defensively when it comes to analysing their 3-1 loss to Queens Park Rangers.
Richard Kone and Rumarn Burrell added to a Conor Coady own goal as the Rs earned victory at the Stok Cae Ras - with Kieffer Moore netting for the hosts.
And while Parkinson feels his team are being punished by a higher calibre of forwards in the Championship, the 57-year-old feels his side have also been the creators of their own downfall at times.
"The previous home games, we looked like we can create chances and score. But the goals we conceded, on one hand, you'll say they were clinical, but when we analyse them all, we'll know we could have done better," said Parkinson.
"The strikers are better. To be fair to Burrell and Kone, they were in League One last year.
"The first goal was desire from him to score, and the second one, if the setup's not right in our defensive shape, those five yards away from where you need to be as a team - we got punished with that bit of quality.
"That is the difference and we know that.
"We've changed the squad around completely and there was always going to be a period at the start where it doesn't go completely as you'd want it.
"We've got to work this week on the training pitch to put in a performance like we showed at Millwall two weeks ago."
Defeat leaves Wrexham 21st in the Championship with four points from their opening five league matches of the campaign.
Image source, Getty ImagesPhil Parkinson admits he is unsure what his Wrexham side can expect from Queens Park Rangers when they host Julien Stephan's side this afternoon (15:00 BST).
Like Wrexham, Rangers secured their first Championship win of the season in their final fixture before the recent international break.
They followed up an emphatic 7-1 loss to Coventry City with a 3-1 triumph over Charlton Athletic - with Parkinson stating Stephan's side altered both their personnel and style for the contest with the Addicks.
"I think they changed the way they played, they went more direct against Charlton," said Parkinson.
"They were a bit more pragmatic in their approach. If you get beat by seven, you're going to change something and they made several changes to the personnel, but also in terms of the way they play.
"That's what football's about, it's finding a way and they did against Charlton. We look forward to welcoming them here at the weekend.
"QPR are an established Championship team and every game's a test. There's different qualities in the QPR team to what Millwall had.
"We've got to look at the individuals and the shape we expect them to play, but equally, as I always say, we've got to make sure we concentrate on improving ourselves and be the best version of Wrexham that we can in each and every game, and I do feel we're getting that."
Wrexham are seeking a first home league win of the campaign today, but go into the match unbeaten in three games in all competitions.
Image source, Getty ImagesPhil Parkinson feels Wrexham have a much-improved blend of youth and experience defensively as a result of their business during the summer transfer window.
Wrexham have impressed in attack early on having scored 13 goals across their six matches in all competitions so far this season.
But there were defensive concerns in August - with the club's xG conceded figure of 11.13 being the highest in the second tier while they have faced more shots (86) than any other side in the division.
Experienced international defenders Conor Coady and Dom Hyam are among those who made the switch to the Stok Cae Ras during the summer.
Parkinson has also brought in the likes of Liberato Cacace, Callum Doyle and Issa Kaboré - who are all under the age of 25 - to further improve Wrexham's defensive options.
"We've tried to strike the balance right between the positions on the pitch and the competition of different age groups," said the Wrexham boss.
"We've got some good young centre-backs; Brunty [Lewis Brunt], Maxy [Max Cleworth], Callum [Doyle] and we've got Scarry [Dan Scarr], Conor [Coady] and Dom [Hyam] as well, and young Aaron James so we've got a nice mixture.
"We've tried to do that to get the balance right in the dressing room. It's a long process as everybody knows and a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes so credit to everybody for that.
"I'm pleased with the options we've got - four games in, there's a lot to look forward to."
Wrexham host QPR aiming to make it three wins in a row in all competitions on Saturday (15:00 BST).
The Rad Dragons will be looking to build on an away win at Millwall as they face a QPR side off the back of a victory against fellow Londoners Charlton.
Wrexham and QPR are meeting in the Football League for the first time since the 2003-04 season in the third tier, with the Rs winning both encounters 2-0.
QPR have won four of their last six away league games against Wrexham (D1 L1).
After beating Millwall 2-0 last time out, Wrexham are looking to win successive second tier games for the first time since March 1982 against Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers respectively.
After beating Charlton Athletic 3-1, QPR are aiming to win successive league matches for the first time since recording four straight victories at the start of 2025.
Wrexham's Kieffer Moore has scored three goals in his last two league games and is looking to score in three in a row for the first time since April-August 2022 (a run of four).
Image source, Getty ImagesThe dust has just about settled on a busy transfer window for Wrexham.
In all, the north Wales club brought in 13 players for a total of around £30m based on reported initial fees.
Those incomings were:
Ryan Hardie
Danny Ward
Liberato Cacace
George Thomason
Josh Windass
Lewis O'Brien
Conor Coady
Kieffer Moore
Nathan Broadhead
Callum Doyle
Ben Sheaf
Dom Hyam
Issa Kabore (loan)
Wrexham also said goodbye to 12 players, including the likes of Ollie Palmer, who went to Swindon, and Paul Mullin, who joined Wigan on loan.
Of all the summer arrivals to the Stok Cae Ras, who do you think will have the biggest impact?
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter a manic transfer deadline day, the dust has started to settle on Wrexham's summer of spending.
With another three players added to Phil Parkinson's squad following that first Championship win at Millwall, how are the north Wales club set up for the next few months.
BBC Sport Wales' Carl Roberts and Chris Wathan discuss the transfer business at the Cae Ras - and you can listen to the chat here.
To get the latest Wrexham news, interviews and analysis you can listen to the Wrexham feed on BBC Sounds. To find that just search Wrexham on BBC Sounds, or head here.
Click subscribe and have push notifications turned on in your phone settings, so you can be notified when new episodes are available.
Image source, Getty ImagesWrexham's Carabao Cup third-round tie at home to Reading will take place on Tuesday, 23 September, with a kick-off time of 19:45 BST.
Phil Parkinson's side overcame Preston North End in round two thanks to a late Kieffer Moore winner at Deepdale.
Boss Parkinson said before the draw he wanted Wrexham to face a Premier League club at home in the third round - but only got one of those wishes with the tie against the Royals taking place at the Stok Cae Ras.
Wrexham will be competing in the third round for the first time since the 1981-82 season.
After the international break, Wrexham have two Championship games - at home to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, 13 September, then away to Norwich City the following Saturday - before facing League One side Reading.
Image source, Getty ImagesWrexham defender Liberato Cacace has withdrawn from the New Zealand squad for the two upcoming friendlies against Australia.
The All Whites will take on the Socceroos in Canberra on 5 September and again in Auckland on 9 September, but Cacace will not feature in either games as he is "managing his return to play following injury", according to the Welsh club.
The 24-year-old left back has won 33 caps for his country, and joined Wrexham from Italian side Emopli in the summer for on a three-year-deal.
He made his debut against Southampton on the opening day of the Championship season in which he suffered a hamstring injury.
He subsequently missed four games, before returning for the 2-0 win against Millwall on Saturday where he played 77 minutes.
Wrexham's next game is against QPR in the Championship on 13 September.
