In an attempt to move up out of League Two, Wrexham is aiming to make history by achieving back-to-back promotions.
Last season, Phil Parkinson’s team set a record with 111 points to win the National League pennant.
The Red Dragons have made a strong start to their tenure in League Two, contending for automatic promotion.
But in February, they had a rough month, winning only two of their seven games, losing three, and drawing two.
The team’s management has come under fire after the club’s performance in their past two home games—a 1-0 loss to Tranmere and a goalless draw against Harrogate—despite their strong start to the month of March, which saw them defeat Accrington Stanley and Morecambe.
Concerns over lack of goals following poor January window
Fans are worried about more than just the missed points in this fiercely competitive promotion battle.
Despite having goal threats like Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee, Wrexham has also appeared impotent in attack recently.
With just 19 goals in 19 games played away from home, their dismal away goal performance has been evident for the majority of the season.
Concerns have been raised that this has now followed them to the Racecourse, where the home team’s last goal was scored in the 41st minute of their 4-0 victory against Accrington on March 2.
Regarding determining the root of the problem, Parkinson has come under fire for what many believe to be his inability to add enough players during the January transfer window.
The former Bradford City and Sunderland manager waited until the later stages of the window to conduct business, as has frequently been the case during his tenure in North Wales.
In actuality, he didn’t make two additions until January 31st: striker Jack Marriott from Fleetwood Town and right wing-back Luke Bolton from Salford City.
Marriott and Bolton fall short of expectations
At first, there was excitement surrounding both purchases, with expectations that Bolton would be the perfect addition to the team’s speed.
The 24-year-old made 92 appearances for Salford, netting six goals and dishing out eighteen assists. He excelled in the 2022–2023 campaign, when they made it to the League Two play-offs for the first time.
Marriott, meanwhile, came with a strong goal-scoring background from his time playing in League One and the Championship for teams like Luton, Derby, and Peterborough.
But thus far, those hopes have not coincided with reality, as both players have had difficulty locking down a spot in the starting lineup.
Despite having seven substitute appearances, Marriott has only made three starts and has not scored a goal for the main team of the team.
The 29-year-old is presently ranked lower in the pecking order than Steven Fletcher, Ollie Palmer, and Mullin.
Additionally, Sam Dalby, a former Southend striker, was preferred on the bench against Tranmere, and he was completely left out of the matchday squad.
Bolton has only started twice, also making seven substitute appearances, and has found it difficult to displace former Solihull Moors wide man Ryan Barnett.
Small glimmer of hope at Wrexham amid transfer woes
A few of Wrexham’s top players have appeared a little tired in their past two games, raising doubts if the well-backed Parkinson has brought in enough talent to really strengthen their promotion bid.
Midweek against Salford at the Racecourse, when Marriott scored a hat-trick, could provide a glimmer of optimism for the management.
Bolton may also have a window of opportunity following the forced substitution of fellow right-wing-back Barnett against Tranmere due to a foot injury.
It remains to be seen if the two have long-term success at Wrexham.
However, the criticism of Parkinson’s poor performance in the January transfer window will intensify if the team doesn’t succeed in gaining promotion after beginning the play-offs in a strong position.
