Parkinson has found an answer, now Blackburn will test his conviction. Credit: Wrexham AFC
Phil Parkinson heads to Ewood Park on Saturday with a decision to make following Wrexham’s emphatic 4-1 Championship victory over Preston North End at the Racecourse Ground. His decision to pair Sam Smith with Kieffer Moore in a 3-4-1-2 paid off handsomely, with both strikers scoring to give the manager plenty to consider before facing Blackburn Rovers.
For much of the campaign, Parkinson has preferred a 3-4-2-1, a system that has attracted criticism for its perceived rigidity and occasionally leaving Moore isolated. Against Preston, Wrexham offered a glimpse of something different.
Two strikers have given Parkinson something to think about
Smith scored in the 59th minute and Moore followed just four minutes later, turning a narrow lead into a convincing victory. Callum O’Hare operated behind the pair, providing the creative link between midfield and two genuine penalty-box threats.
There is an obvious balance to that partnership. Moore brings the physical presence to occupy defenders and compete for direct balls, while Smith offers movement and a willingness to attack spaces beyond the back line.
Rather than having two centre-backs concentrating on one striker, Wrexham suddenly had two forwards capable of asking different questions. It was a straightforward adjustment, but one that appeared to suit the players involved.
The victory was not solely down to a tactical change. Joe Worrall and Ben Whiteman had already scored before either striker found the net.
Still, the sight of both Smith and Moore on the scoresheet was difficult to ignore. For a manager who has often favoured two attacking midfielders behind a lone striker, it provided a compelling argument for giving the partnership another opportunity.
Blackburn will provide a different examination
Saturday’s opponents present a different challenge. Tony Mowbray has generally favoured a 4-2-3-1 at Blackburn, meaning Wrexham’s front two would face a back four rather than the three central defenders Preston deployed.
That could work in Parkinson’s favour. Smith’s movement alongside Moore offers the chance to occupy both centre-backs, potentially creating opportunities for O’Hare to find pockets of space behind them.
Blackburn’s recent defensive performance also offers encouragement. Rovers surrendered a two-goal advantage in their 3-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion last weekend, a result that exposed their difficulty in protecting a commanding position.
Yet there is another side to the argument.
Against a 4-2-3-1, Wrexham’s central midfield pairing could find themselves stretched when Blackburn’s attacking midfielder drops into space. The wing-backs would also need to judge their forward runs carefully, particularly when possession changes hands.
Push too high without sufficient cover and Blackburn could exploit the space left behind. Sit too deep and O’Hare risks becoming disconnected from the two forwards, removing much of what made the system effective against Preston.
Parkinson must show that flexibility works both ways
Criticism of Parkinson’s tactical approach has often centred on his loyalty to familiar systems. His achievements at Wrexham deserve enormous respect, but that does not mean every selection should escape scrutiny.
The Preston performance demonstrated that change does not have to come at the expense of the principles that have served him so well. Wrexham retained their familiar back three while finding a different way to threaten the opposition.
There is no guarantee the 3-4-1-2 will deliver another convincing victory at Ewood Park. Blackburn have different strengths, and the demands of an away fixture may require adjustments during the game.
But Parkinson now has evidence that Smith and Moore can operate together effectively, supported by O’Hare in a central creative role. Returning immediately to the previous shape would leave supporters wondering whether that partnership had been given a fair chance.
The question of whether Wrexham have found a tactical solution against Preston deserves further examination, particularly with a different challenge awaiting at Ewood Park.
Parkinson does not need to abandon the 3-4-2-1 permanently. But after what happened against Preston, retaining two strikers against Blackburn would demonstrate that a successful tactical adjustment deserves more than one afternoon.
About The Author
