Paul Mullin hails ‘brilliant’ Wrexham talent after beating Colchester United
Wrexham beat Colchester United 2-1 on Saturday afternoon, coming from behind to pick up a crucial late victory in the push for promotion.
Phil Parkinson really needed a positive result after losing on the road at Doncaster Rovers in midweek.
Away trips have been tricky at times for Wrexham this season and another one so soon after losing at Doncaster left some fans worried.
Wrexham then fell behind in Essex as John Akinde fired the hosts in front after the break, leaving Parkinson’s side with a big fight on their hands.
Paul Mullin’s thumping header – his 100th goal in a Wrexham shirt – brought it level at 1-1 before an unlikely saviour arrived in front of goal.
A long throw into the box found Max Cleworth’s head with the defender scoring his first ever league goal, securing a late win for Wrexham on the road.
Paul Mullin on Max Cleworth
Cleworth was probably the last player Wrexham fans expected to find the net… well, maybe outside of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
The defender is enjoying a superb season and his development has been a joy to watch.
Cleworth has been solid defensively but has also really grown as a right-sided centre back in terms of carrying and playing the ball out from the back.
The midfield-splitting pass to set up Mullin’s opener against Mansfield Town was a thing of beauty and resulted in praise from club hero Andy Morrell.
Striker Mullin has now told Wrexham’s official YouTube channel that he thinks Cleworth has been ‘brilliant’ in the first team, not just this season but also last term too.
Mullin feels that Cleworth has ‘stood strong’ whenever called up on and his maturity is clear, playing like a seasoned pro rather than a 21-year-old in his first Football League campaign.
“Max has been brilliant since he got into the team this year, even last year,” said Mullin. “Every time he’s played and been called upon, he’s always stood strong and, for a young lad, you can see how mature he is and I’m delighted for him to get the header and the winner, it’s really good for him,” he added.
Cleworth could be Wrexham’s most-wanted player this summer
When you look at this Wrexham side, there is bags of experience from back to front.
Eoghan O’Connell, Will Boyle, James McClean, Elliot Lee, George Evans, Andy Cannon, Ollie Palmer, Steven Fletcher, Mullin himself; there is so much EFL experience in this team.
Wrexham have gone down the route of landing immediate impact players in the hope that they can shine in the short term and push Wrexham up through the leagues.
More signings with resale value will come as Wrexham’s budget grows but Cleworth is one player who will surely be attracting interest from higher up in the EFL.
Championship clubs will surely have Cleworth on their radars, believing that he has a big future ahead of him and can be developed into a real star.
Wrexham will, of course, look to keep Cleworth if anybody comes calling but he could be the most in-demand player at the club when the summer transfer window opens.
