When Wrexham travels to face Crawley Town at Broadfield Stadium this weekend, they will be hoping to snap a three-game losing streak.
With 17 points from their first 11 league games, the Red Dragons are now outside the play-off spots as the season is approaching the halfway mark.
Phil Parkinson will need to make sure he can fix his teams’ porous defensive line, which has allowed 23 goals this season – the second-highest number in the fourth tier – in their first encounter since 2011.
The Welsh team also needs to significantly improve its road performance, since their single league road win came against Tranmere Rovers, who now occupy the 22nd spot.
GK: Arthur Okonkwo
Arthur Okonkwo, who replaced the more seasoned Mark Howard in their last two games, will start between the posts.
The Arsenal loanee should keep his spot after helping the Red Dragons keep just their second clean sheet of the year as he seeks to continue making progress in League Two.
RCB: Aaron Hayden
Aaron Hayden, who has started the last four games of the season since their 3-0 victory over Grimsby Town, begins the central defense.
Hayden is anticipated to start once more after securing a spot in Parkinson’s back three.
CB: Ben Tozer
Ben Tozer, who joined the Welsh team from Cheltenham Town in the 2020–21 season, is the next player to go.
The Plymouth native, who hasn’t missed a game since the start of the previous season, will undoubtedly be one of the first names on the roster this weekend.
LCB: Thomas O’Connor
Thomas O’Connor, who made 29 appearances during their National League promotion-winning campaign the previous season, completes the center defense.
The 24-year-old played as a center back in their opening-day loss to MK Dons and did so again in midweek’s scoreless draw with Mansfield Town.
The Irishman ought to keep his spot in the backline after helping to keep a crucial clean sheet.
RM: Jacob Mendy
Jacob Mendy, who is positioned on the right flank, has contributed consistently to the offense in their first 11 domestic games, recording one goal and four assists.
The 26-year-old earned a start against Mansfield on Tuesday after providing an assist off the bench against Crewe, and he might get another this weekend.
LM: James McClean
James McClean, whose attacking prowess can thrive in this three-back setup, is on the opposing wing.
Following his transfer from Wigan Athletic, the Republic of Ireland international has been managed to secure a run of straight starts, and he will be seeking to make more attacking contributions following his assist against Grimsby.
CM: James Jones
Jones began three of Wrexham’s first four games as a starter, although he has since found himself in and out of the starting lineup.
However, he might be given another prominent role after consecutive starts against Crewe and Mansfield.
CM: George Evans
Evans, a Millwall player who joined the Welsh team late in the summer transfer window, has been improving his fitness with more playing time.
Given his experience and the fact that he started the last two games on the front foot, the midfielder ought to preserve his spot.
CM: Elliot Lee
Elliot Lee, an aggressive midfielder, will come next. He has had an incredible start to the season in terms of his goal scoring.
The 28-year-old has played 11 games and has seven goals and two assists, but he has gone three games without scoring.
Lee ought to be able to keep his spot and try to increase his total because he now appears to be one of the clubs’ most significant threats moving forward.
ST: Steven Fletcher
Ollie Palmer is replaced by Steven Fletcher up top in the sole alteration to the Wrexham starting lineup.
On a free move at the beginning of September, the 36-year-old Scotsman joined Parkinson and scored his first goal for the squad against Crewe.
In an effort to establish himself as a regular starter, Fletcher might get his first start after controlling the veteran forward’s minutes since his arrival.
ST: Paul Mullin
Paul Mullin completes the starting lineup after scoring a brace against Crewe last weekend to score his first goals of the season.
The Merseyside-born striker, who scored 38 goals in 46 National League games, was a major factor in Wrexham’s record-breaking promotion.
The 28-year-old is prepared to pose a constant threat to the Crawley defense, having already gained a wealth of experience in League Two with clubs like Morecambe and Cambridge United.
