League Two friends Wrexham and Stockport rekindle their relationship
NEW additions have boosted Wrexham, but Phil Parkinson lauded existing players for rising to the occasion during the team’s re-entry into the Football League.
Although wholesale changes weren’t needed following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign which ended in automatic promotion from the National League, the likes of James McClean, George Evans, Arthur Okonkwo and Steven Fletcher have been added to the squad.
It’s had the desired effect with Wrexham going into tomorrow’s clash against Stockport County at Edgeley Park on the back of seven-game unbeaten run in League Two, leaving the Reds fourth in the table.
But Parkinson believes players who helped Wrexham – including this season’s leading scorer Elliot Lee – secure a place back in the EFL following a 15-year absence also deserve credit.
Promotion was secured 12 months after Wrexham finished runners-up to Stockport County having taken the title race down to the wire, and Parkinson is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Dave Challinor’s men.
“It is good to have rivalries,” said the Reds’ boss, whose team will be backed by another strong following in what will be a sell-out crowd.
“We know our squad wasn’t good enough that season leading into January.
“We then made improvements and we had a real go at it, we gave everything we could, but Stockport probably had a little bit more strength in depth at the time.
“We got to the summer and reviewed how we could improve it again with the staff and owners and then we got promotion.
“We are continually evolving as a team, not just bringing new players in but working with the ones we have got to keep getting better, and we have got to keep striving for that.
“When you go up a level as a player, you have got to step up with that or you get left behind, but the players have done that.
“Stockport have invested a lot in their squad and improved but so have we and I think that is key.
“The bench is getting stronger all the time.”
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