For tonight’s EFL Trophy second round matchup against Burton Albion, PHIL PARKINSON will make several changes in order to provide players crucial game time before the hectic holiday season.
Wrexham’s trip to local rivals Shrewsbury Town in the third round of the FA Cup is scheduled for this Sunday, when they defeated Yeovil Town 3-0. Despite the short turnaround, Parkinson used his entire squad during the group stages and will again for the final 32 matchup with Burton of League One.
Parkinson notes that some players need to get some minutes under their belt so they are prepared when called upon, as matches are scheduled to happen quickly over the Christmas season.
The Reds’ manager stated, “Everyone knows that we have injury problems at the moment.”
“We requested to reschedule the Burton game to Sunday, December 19, but the EFL refused to allow us to do so.
It places pressures on the team, therefore as we have done, we will be entirely refreshing the roster.
However, we also think that the home tie against a League One team is an excellent match for us.
It is an opportunity for us to give players a game to get them ready for what is going to be an amazing Christmas time, just like we have done in past games. I am quite thrilled about that, and maybe some of those injured guys start coming back in two weeks.
Parkinson was careful to emphasize that the replacements are not reserve players, even if he would rest his regulars.
“Our players are excellent,” he continued. Tom O’Connor has performed so brilliantly that Will Boyle, for example, has found himself off the team, even though he might easily be on the team and among our best players.
Luke Young and Jordan Davies are examples of players who must play; they are not backups.
“They are first-team players who, like Andy Cannon, could easily break into and remain on the club.
This game is about them receiving some minutes in a full-on game, and it’s sad that a few of the younger players will now play because we lost Aaron Hayden and have a few other little niggles.
However, you will never know whether younger players are talented enough if we don’t give them the chance to play in these games, either as a starter or on the bench.
