Wycombe Wanderers boss comments on ‘brutal’ Wrexham defeat in League One promotion race
Wrexham secured a huge victory in the League One promotion race, beating Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 away from home.
We could forgive any Wrexham fan for feeling more than a little nervy heading into Saturday’s trip to Wycombe.
Wrexham were beaten by Reading in midweek and wasted a golden chance to leapfrog Wycombe ahead of facing them.
Phil Parkinson’s side got the job done though with Sam Smith scoring the only goal of the game.
Smith volleyed home a brilliant winning goal as Wrexham held out for all three points, with Arthur Okonkwo pulling off one brilliant save.
Wrexham now move ahead of Wycombe in the League One promotion race with just a handful of games to play.
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Wycombe Wanderers boss on Wrexham defeat
There will be twists and turns to come with the end of the season now in sight.
Wrexham’s three-point lead feels great right now but Wycombe will have a chance to go level on points again, taking on Rotherham United on Tuesday night.
Nothing has been won just yet and Wrexham can’t ignore Charlton Athletic or Stockport County loitering behind.
Wrexham fans understandably feel much better than just a few nights ago and Parkinson has praised Smith’s impact.
Wycombe boss Mike Dodds has given his verdict on Saturday’s game too, telling the Bucks Free Press that this was a ‘brutal’ defeat.
Dodds highlighted that Wrexham were on the right side of big moments – George Dobson’s goal-line clearance was quickly followed by Smith’s winner.
Dodds feels that Wycombe were dealt a ‘harsh lesson’ but believes that his side can hit back against Rotherham in midweek.
“The most disappointing thing is that these games, Birmingham and Wrexham, we said they would be decided by moments and after they cleared the ball the line, they scored the winner one minute and 20 seconds later,” said Dodds.
“That’s how brutal it can be at the top and it’s a harsh lesson for us. But, I was pleased with out-of-the-possession stuff as we nullified them but they were also well organised out of possession.
“Overall, it was two teams trying to cancel each other out and sadly for us, they got that moment and we didn’t. We just need to put this to bed as we still have 30 points to try and get this season and we’ll be ready to go again on Tuesday night at Rotherham.
“It is what it is but we have got to dust ourselves down and not feel sorry for ourselves,” he added.
Dodds felt confident ahead of facing Wrexham but ended up on the losing side thanks to one moment of real quality.
- READ MORE: Three winners and two losers from Wrexham’s League One clash with Wycombe Wanderers
Wrexham face a familiar foe after beating Wycombe
This was a huge win for Wrexham but there is still plenty of work to be done.
Whatever happens with Wycombe’s clash against Rotherham in midweek, Wrexham must back this up with a strong performance next weekend.
Stockport County are the visitors to the STōK Cae Ras with the two sides locking horns once again.
Wrexham and Stockport have formed something of a rivalry in recent years having been promotion rivals in the National League and League Two.
County’s Callum Connolly was highlighted the Wrexham rivalry and next weekend’s game will be enormous.
Wrexham can continue the push for promotion with a win, but defeat would take County level on points with Wrexham – and only intensify the race towards the Championship.
Saturday was huge for Wrexham but Parkinson must keep his squad level-headed and focused on the task at hand.
