Wrexham are back in the race to reach the Championship’s play-offs. Wrexham’s manager, Phil Parkinson, claims their turnaround is down to them being relaxed. The club are back in the top six after back-to-back victories.
Wrexham’s Relaxed Approach
Wrexham were four points behind sixth-placed Hull City on Saturday morning. This was after suffering back-to-back defeats, including a 5-1 beating by rivals Southampton and a 2-0 loss at Birmingham City. However, Hull’s hiccups and back-to-back victories have pushed Wrexham ahead on goal difference.
Parkinson said the key to their last two games is that they’ve relaxed a bit. He felt that against Birmingham they were almost too desperate to win. They regrouped and took a step back, reflecting on what they needed to do to get their performance levels back to where they need to be.
Parkinson admitted his explanations may sound overly simplistic. He also added that a tinker to his team and the return to fitness and form of key midfielder Matty James has helped.
The Race to the Play-offs
Wrexham face a wait before they next play, against Coventry City on Sunday. Rivals above and below them will be in anxious action before then. Hull face Charlton Athletic on Saturday lunchtime, while Middlesbrough welcome Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday and then Watford on Saturday.
Middlesbrough are without a win in seven and now only three points ahead. They do, however, have a significantly better goal difference. Boro travel to the Cae Ras on the final day while Hull welcome Norwich City.
Derby County’s Chances
Derby County are four points behind Wrexham with two to play. They take on Queens Park Rangers away and Sheffield United at home hoping for others to slip-up.
Parkinson was not prepared to guess whether Coventry’s title-sealing win over Portsmouth on Tuesday night was good news.
Wrexham’s challenge is to remain relaxed when the Championship carries on without them on Wednesday night and Saturday before they next play.