Wrexham’s chances of earning automatic promotion are still in doubt following their 1-0 home loss to Tranmere Rovers over the weekend.
Mansfield Town, Stockport County, and Phil Parkinson’s club presently hold the top three slots in League Two, meaning there are practically six teams still in contention.
Although Mansfield now leads by four points at the top, recent performances from Wrexham and Stockport have been inconsistent.
It implies that as the season draws to a close, MK Dons, Crewe Alexandra, and Barrow will still be breathing down their necks.
The Red Dragons, who have missed out on promotion six times in the past, will be eager to escape the play-offs.
Parkinson may have to make a contentious decision if they are to avoid that lottery and guarantee a seat automatically.
Parkinson faces big decision over Elliot Lee
Despite beginning the season without their talisman, Paul Mullin, Wrexham has mostly pleased in their first League Two campaign in fifteen years.
While the prolific striker was sidelined due to injury, midfielder Elliot Lee stepped up to provide the goals.
With 15 league goals under his belt, the former Luton player is the clear favorite to win player of the year after playing a major role in the team’s bid for consecutive promotions.
But Lee has been a little jaded in recent weeks, not the least of which was against Tranmere, when he mishandled the ball and missed opportunities to score.
He appeared to be a player who was overanalyzing things, taking too many touches, and overhitting his last balls, even though his effort rate is unquestionably high.
The unimaginable topic of whether Lee should be rested in order to regain his early-season form has been raised by some Wrexham supporters.
The away game against Grimsby Town on Saturday might present an opportunity to accomplish just that.
The candidates to stand in for Lee
Tom O’Connor came on as a late substitute against Tranmere, marking a timely comeback from injury.
Despite having shown great potential in midfield in the past, the Irishman has spent most of this season playing as a left-sided center defense.
Additionally, he played in a strong Wrexham lineup that won a reserve game against Salford this afternoon, 7-1.
If Parkinson were to decide to make a radical move in response to Lee’s recent performance, the 24-year-old would be the perfect choice.
Before Lee came to town, homegrown talent Jordan Davies was a lock for the attacking midfield position.
Although his 21 goals in the 2021–2022 season seemed to be the beginning of something remarkable, he has subsequently struggled to establish himself in the starting lineup.
When Davies entered the game for the final twenty-five minutes against Tranmere, he really appeared to be a different player.
But if Lee is rested against Grimsby after scoring in the reserve team’s rout of Salford, Parkinson may also turn to him.
Removing Lee from the starting lineup, even for a limited period, would undoubtedly rank among Parkinson’s most significant decisions made while he has been with the team.
Although it would be contentious, there has been a precedent for it: in a game against Sutton United in February, top player Mullin was benched due to a decline in performance.
And in a competition that is becoming fiercely competitive, it might be just what Lee needs to rediscover his own cutting edge and assist Wrexham in securing an automatic promotion position.
