Wrexham are unbeaten after five games and top of League One
PHIL PARKINSON says Wrexham have shown they can handle high expectations at The Racecourse and he is backing his players to cope with the added pressure of being League One leaders.
Parkinson guided Wrexham to back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club’s history and the Reds have hit the ground running in the third tier.
Unbeaten after the opening five games, Saturday’s 3-0 home win over arch rivals Shrewsbury Town in the cross-border derby took Wrexham to the top of the table.
Expectations have risen since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover at the north Wales club in February 2021 but Parkinson feels his players have continued to step up to the plate.
The Reds’ boss is confident that won’t change now that Wrexham are there to be shot at after becoming table-toppers because it is something that Paul Mullin and his team-mates will thrive on.
“Since I have been here, the expectancy has been right on us,” said Parkinson.
“Going into Saturday’s game against Shrewsbury, a packed house and a derby atmosphere, I am always confident that the lads will handle those situations well because we are used to it.
“The expectation side of it, that is why we have brought in players like James McClean who thrives on that.
“Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee, all those characters we have got on the pitch, the bigger the game, the bigger the pressure and the more they want to be out there.
Wrexham beat Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 at The Racecourse on the opening day and then drew 0-0 at Bolton Wanderers in the first away league game of the season.
Also nominated alongside Parkinson were Dave Challinor (Stockport County), Chris Davies (Birmingham City) and Michael Skubala (Lincoln City).
