WREXHAM AFC: Boss Phil makes his case for the defence
PHIL PARKINSON has been given a double boost in his bid to shore up Wrexham’s leaky defence.
Key defenders Aaron Hayden and Jordan Tunnicliffe have been back in full training this week to give the Reds boss plenty of options ahead of picking his team to take on Barrow at Holker Street tomorrow.
Wrexham, who are 15th in the table, have let in 13 goals in four games on their return to League Two – and no team in the land has a worse record than that.
“We’re disappointed with the number of goals we’ve conceded and we have to rectify it,” said Parkinson.
“You have to look at the reasons why we’re conceding and we need to show more tenacity and determination to get blocks in and stop the crosses coming in.
“Aaron Hayden’s been back in full training and so has Jordan Tunnicliffe.
“They’re two big players for us and it’s a huge boost to have players of such character back.”
Parkinson, who has used 22 players so far this season, definitely has to make one change in what will be his first ever visit to Barrow.
With keeper Ben Foster announcing his retirement, Mark Howard, who has kept Wrexham’s only clean sheet of the season in the League Cup win over Wigan Athletic, will take over in goal.
In-form Jake Bickerstaff looks set to start up front with Ollie Palmer while one player looking to stake a claim for a regular first team place is captain Luke Young.
The 30-year-old midfielder has started two games this season and came off the bench to set up leading scorer Elliot Lee’s late leveller in last Saturday’s 5-5 thriller at home to Swindon Town.
Young insists getting back to basics will be key to Wrexham’s success this season.
“As a group we have to work hard with the ball and without the ball to pick up a couple of clean sheets that will give us a platform to build our season.”
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Wrexham, MK Dons must pay six-figure fee to sign 27-year-old striker, report claims
Wrexham and MK Dons have failed with bids for Harrogate Town’s Luke Armstrong and must pay £500,000 for his services, as per Football League World.
Wrexham and MK Dons are both tipped to be in the promotion picture this season and both have the means to bring in some more fresh faces before the window ends on September 1st.
Now, it has been claimed the League Two have made attempts to sign striker Armstrong from divisional rivals Harrogate Town.
Football League World reports that both Wrexham and mK Dons have failed with bids for the 27-year-old striker. The Sulphurites have placed a £500,000 valuation on Armstrong, who is under contract until 2025 and yet to score so far this season.
The ex-Middlesbrough youngster managed 16 goals and six assists in 46 league games for Harrogate last season. That tally took him to 30 goals and 12 assists in just over 100 games for the club, helping keep Simon Weaver’s side in the EFL in the process.
On the move?
Armstrong is a big reason why Harrogate Town are still in the EFL, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that the club are demanding half-a-million pounds for their talisman. Losing him to a divisional rival would be a blow too, but time will tell if either Wrexham or MK Dons are to match the valuation to prize Armstrong away from Town before the window’s end.
The two sides have until 11pm next Friday to get a deal done if they wish, so any deliberation will have to be pretty swift.
Losing Armstrong would be a big blow for Harrogate but with the funds from a sale, the hope would be that they can land a suitable replacement. It remains to be seen if their interest goes further after seeing bids rejected though.
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