Following their promotion to League One, Paul Mullin has backed Wrexham to overcome one “difficult” obstacle.
For the first time in the team’s history, Phil Parkinson has led Wrexham to consecutive promotions, and the team is back in the third division of English football for the first time since 2005.
Parkinson was given the funding by Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds to get the Reds up at their first request, but it was one current player, Paul Mullin, that fired them there.
With a punctured lung that kept him out of the first eight games of the season, the Liverpool player nonetheless scored an amazing 26 goals in all competitions, including an incredible 14 in his last 12 games.
Parkinson’s team was guaranteed a promotion thanks to Mullin’s outstanding play toward the conclusion of the season. The 29-year-old has now explained why he believes the task will be “difficult.”
Paul Mullin believes Wrexham can overcome ‘difficult’ challenge
Wrexham will go from playing against Accrington Stanley to picking their wits against the likes of Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City next season.
It’s a far cry from travelling to places like Boreham Wood on a Tuesday night, as they did a few years ago, but Mullin accepts it will be a harder challenge than ever.
Speaking on the Men In Blazers podcast, the former Cambridge striker said: “I think there’s a lot of massive sides in League One who are probably unfortunate to be there, or end up there due to financial problems. But massive clubs who shouldn’t be competing at that level.
“It’s going to be a difficult challenge next season but it’s one I’m looking forward to; that’s why you’re a footballer for the challenges and the hard games. I think over the last few years we’ve built up a real resilience and a trust that when we play in the hard games we can deliver.”
Although their Hollywood owners have outlined promotion as their aim, Mullin’s response to that is humble and he knows how difficult the league is having struggled last time at Tranmere Rovers.
Nonetheless, Wrexham will be more equipped than his former side as he looks to improve on his goal tally of three in 20 the last time he played in League One.
Where does Wrexham need to strengthen this summer?
After letting go of eight first-team players, Wrexham have created some much-needed space in their permitted 22-man squad.
The most pressing issues McElhenney and Reynolds have to resolve are a goalkeeper, central defender and striker.
Ideally, Wrexham will capture Arthur Okonkwo on a permanent deal, but if they don’t, a new number one is the top priority.
Defensively, the Reds are also short on numbers after letting Ben Tozer, Aaron Hayden and Jordan Tunnicliffe depart upon their contracts expiring, so added cover will be needed in defence.
Parkinson currently has just Max Cleworth, Tom O’Connor, Eoghan O’Connell, Will Boyle and George Evans – who can slot into defence – to pick from.
As for their attack, Wrexham do have six strikers to choose from, but as they’re likely to offload Sam Dalby and Jake Bickerstaff, more firepower will needed to supplement the goals of Mullin.
Those are Wrexham’s main priorities, so if they can nail them and flesh out other areas of their squad, perhaps another promotion challenge could be on the cards.
