Parkinson's 'wriggle room' as Wrexham seek response

Phil Parkinson took charge of Wrexham in the summer of 2021 [Getty Images] Wrexham end their opening block of 2026-27 Championship fixtures with a tough test against Southampton at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday (15:00 BST). The Red Dragons' encouraging run of form was emphatically ended as they were thrashed 6-0 by West Ham United last time out. Prior to that drubbing, Phil Parkinson's men had collected five of the nine points on offer from their matches against Millwall, Swansea City and Burnley - keeping two clean sheets in that run. Despite the club's remarkable success over recent years, setbacks are nothing new to Wrexham and Parkinson. Their aim now is to respond in a positive manner, something history shows they have an impressive knack of doing. No need for Wrexham to panic - Gabbidon Can Wrexham boss Parkinson bounce back again? What the data says With just one win from their opening eight matches across all competitions, it has been far from the perfect start. But Wrexham's current total of seven points is just one fewer than they had at the same stage last season. So it's worth looking at the specific data from this season to have a clearer idea of the issues Parkinson and his staff will be seeking to address. Only four sides have scored fewer than the seven league goals Wrexham have managed so far this term. They are currently under performing their expected goals (XG) tally by -1.03. It is in stark contrast to last season when they outperformed their XG by 12.21, the highest over performance of any side in the second tier. Wrexham's total of 78 shots is the fourth-lowest in the division so far this season too. There are also some defensive concerns, as there were in 2025-26. The Red Dragons have conceded 11 goals from an XG of just 8.41, with only four teams having a worse goals conceded versus XG record than Wrexham's figure of 2.59. That said, their 377 recoveries made is more than any other team, and typifies the fight the players are demonstrating amid what has largely been a frustrating start to the campaign. Phil Parkinson (centre) won the first of his three promotions with Wrexham in 2023 [Getty Images] Personnel changes Wrexham's hefty squad overhaul in the summer of 2025 played a key role in the club's slow start to the campaign last time out as players took time to gel. As was the case early on last term, it seems as though Parkinson is still searching to find his best combinations, particularly in the back three and midfield. Joe Worrall made his first start since joining from Burnley in the defeat by West Ham, with Zak Vyner returning to the back three in the absence of the injured Max Cleworth. Midfielder George Dobson made his first league start of the campaign in the same fixture while Sam Smith led the line from the outset for just the second time this term. For captain Dom Hyam, continuity is key. "As defenders, you want familiarity, you want to play with similar guys next to you every week and get that consistency," said the defender. "We haven't really had that 100% at the minute, and losing Max is a blow. "But they're all talented players who can step in at any opportunity, but it's up to the individuals to grab hold of the shirt, and more importantly keep hold of it." Ben Sheaf's impending return from a knee injury will improve Parkinson's options, while Liberato Cacace, George Thomason, Seb Revan and Callum Burton are among those to be left out of Wrexham's 25-man squad, but could return when required. Elsewhere, last season's top scorer Josh Windass is continuing to be carefully re-integrated following his injury issues over recent months, although the loss of Nathan Broadhead to a thigh issue represents a blow. So it is clear the squad options will improve, while it is also encouraging that others - particularly wing-backs Danny Imray, the returning Issa Kabore and Jacques Ekomie - have settled in so swiftly. Wrexham AFC Daily: Parkinson to 'analyse himself' after West Ham thrashing Wrexham's Broadhead to miss Wales games with injury Rob Mac's encouraging words Former Wales international Danny Gabbidon believes Parkinson deserves to be given time to reignite Wrexham's campaign. "I think we should allow the manager a little bit of time after what he's done through previous seasons, how good he's been," the ex-West Ham defender said on the BBC Radio Wales Feast of Football phone-in. "You could sense his disappointment, his frustration after the (West Ham) game and just maybe questioning the mentality and the work-rate of his team at the minute. "I'm sure he'll address that in the next couple of weeks." Co-owner Rob Mac also stated that Parkinson has "earned a lot of wriggle room". Speaking to the That Wrexham Podcast earlier this month, Mac said: "Phil has shown over and over again that he can win at every level so far, so I don't see why he doesn't have as much room as he can possibly have over the next few years to continue to prove it." Latest Wrexham news, analysis and fan views Wrexham AFC A history of bouncing back Three promotions certainly help, but part of the reason Parkinson has the aforementioned credit in the bank is the way his sides have typically responded to adversity. Whether it be the 5-0 loss to Stockport County in September 2023, the 3-1 defeat by Halifax Town prior to that glorious 3-2 triumph over Notts County in April of the same year or the gut-wrenching play-off semi-final loss to Grimsby Town in May 2022, Wrexham have had some tough moments under the 58-year-old boss. "It's about accepting any criticism, but almost not getting too weighed down by that as well as a whole group," Parkinson said of responding to tough moments. He added: "You've got to move on. You can't let the disappointment fester in your mind too long. "It's about getting the lads back in together. We're all in it together when we win. "We've enjoyed those wins over a long period here and when we lose we batten down the hatches and draw ourselves closer together as a group." Crucially, none of those miserable occasions have defined the club and the team. Wrexham hope the West Ham drubbing will not do so either. "When I think about Phil, I know that he puts so much pressure and stress on himself to win and to perform," added Mac. "When he wins, he's still thinking about it constantly. When he loses, he's still thinking about it constantly." So what does the man himself say of the backing from those at the top? "We've had other periods over my time here where we've had bad defeats or runs where it's not going our way and the owners are brilliant in these situations," was Parkinson's response.