Parkinson holds 'honest' talks as Wrexham prepare for Middlesbrough and Wolves
Phil Parkinson says Wrexham held a full-group review after their 1-0 loss at Sheffield United and wants a response in back-to-back home games against Middlesbrough and Wolves.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has held what he described as "honest" discussions with his players following the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Friday. Parkinson said the squad sat down to watch the whole game together rather than reviewing only parts of it, with accountability a central theme of the conversation. He described the talks as productive and said it is now up to the team to respond on the pitch.
The display at Bramall Lane gave the manager clear cause for concern. Wrexham did not manage a shot on target until Sam Smith's tame header was saved in added time, and Parkinson said his side were nowhere near their usual levels in the first half. He stressed that the performance did not reflect how the team has played over a number of years and that the group must examine why those standards slipped.
Wrexham sit 18th in the Championship ahead of the midweek fixtures and have lost successive away games. They now host league leaders Middlesbrough on Wednesday and Wolves in back-to-back home matches at the Racecourse before the November international window. Parkinson called it an important week and acknowledged the team is not where it wants to be.
Home form offers some encouragement. Wrexham beat Preston North End 4-1 in their most recent home game, though they have yet to record back-to-back wins at the Racecourse this season. Parkinson highlighted the atmosphere at the ground as a major asset and urged supporters to get behind the side against Middlesbrough, while noting the squad is somewhat depleted.
Parkinson said he wants to see grit, determination and intensity against Middlesbrough, combined with the tactical discipline the games require. He pointed to the team's effort levels over recent years as the benchmark and said the players must fight for every ball. Supporters will judge whether the honest talks translate into the spark the manager is demanding.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
