‘No one’s more amazed’ – Alan Pardew makes extraordinary claim about Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson amid promotion possibility
Wrexham’s rise through the divisions could be set for its latest chapter after the club moved into second place in League One.
Jay Rodriguez opened his Wrexham account during the 1-0 win over Stockport County to lift his side into the final automatic promotion place in League One with just eight games to go.
Opta’s supercomputer predicts Wrexham miss out on promotion however, the Red Dragons fixtures on paper appear to be slightly in their favour in comparison to rivals Wycombe Wanderers.
Another positive factor for Wrexham is the experience of manager Phil Parkinson and his know-how of how to get his teams over the line when it comes to the nitty gritty part of the season.
Alan Pardew ‘amazed’ by Phil Parkinson Wrexham achievement
Parkinson celebrated 1000 games as a manager earlier this season when his Wrexham side defeated Peterborough 1-0 thanks to a late Steven Fletcher winner.
Speaking on talkSport, former Premier League manager and Parkinson’s boss at Reading in his playing career, Alan Pardew has expressed his surprise at the milestone.
Pardew stated: “Listen, no one’s more amazed than me obviously after you being my player with your gum shield running around like a nutter but fair play to you, brilliant.”
Parkinson played over 350 times for Reading during his playing days and spent some of his days there working under Pardew as his boss.
Now a manager himself, Parkinson uses his experience as a combative midfielder in his managerial style, winning duels and playing in good areas with a solid foundation in defence.
Next eight games Parkinson’s most important as Wrexham boss
Parkinson brought up his 200th game as Wrexham boss in that win at the Racecourse Ground over Stockport and has a phenomenal record in his time at the club.
However, the next eight league fixtures now become his most important arguably in his career as he bids to make history with a third successive promotion.
Wycombe have a game in hand on Wrexham but Parkinson will know that his side can only concentrate on doing their own job and that will put themselves in the best possible shape come May.
It will be tough with teams down the bottom of the division fighting for their lives and some sides still harbouring play off hopes but the Red Dragons know they are within touching distance of Championship football next season.
Wrexham are creating history with their meteoric rise through the English football pyramid in recent seasons.
Phil Parkinson’s men currently sit in second place in League One and are on course to achieve a history-making third successive promotion.
