James McClean is back in the Wrexham side after three consecutive Championship starts, and his response to being dropped proves the mentality that’s carrying the club through their first season at this level.
James McClean had a spell out of favour but maintained the fitness and focus required to reclaim his place. Wrexham sit 10th, three points off the play-offs, and remain unbeaten in their last seven or eight league matches.
McClean’s return coincides with the club’s best form of the season. At 36, he’s shown the professionalism expected from someone who’s been around the Championship before.
The captain started the last three Championship matches and impressed with performances that reflect his determination to contribute. His presence has added experience and stability during Wrexham’s strongest run of results this season.
Never enjoyed not playing but stayed ready
McClean spoke ahead of Saturday’s trip to Preston about how he handled being out of the team. “Everyone wants to be playing. I’m no different. I’ve never enjoyed not playing,” he said.
He explained the approach required during that difficult period.
“You have to keep yourself ready, you have to keep yourself at a level where if you are called upon you’re ready to go on and you’re not playing catch up.”
That work behind the scenes meant he was prepared when Phil Parkinson called on him again. Three starts later, McClean’s performances have vindicated both his patience and the manager’s decision to bring him back in.
The captain confirmed he’s been managing this situation throughout his career.
“I’ve been around a long time now and you know you’ve got my experience with managed situations,”
His role as captain extends beyond playing time. McClean’s presence in training and the dressing room provides leadership whether he’s starting matches or not, and that influence matters during Wrexham’s first Championship campaign.
Quality and work ethic keep Wrexham in play-off hunt
Wrexham face a Preston side sitting in the top six on Saturday. McClean’s Championship experience tells him what that position means when the season reaches its decisive stages.
“I’ve been around this league before and you know it’s important to be there a couple of points there about the play-offs come the buzz and anything can happen,”
He said. The captain knows Wrexham have the squad quality to compete with anyone in this division.
He pointed to the mentality within the dressing room as the key factor behind their unbeaten run.
“We’ve got good lads who are willing to put the hard work in and when you have the quality with that, you know, you’ve always got yourself a really good chance.”
That combination of effort and ability has taken Wrexham into genuine play-off contention. They’re three points off sixth place despite being newcomers to the Championship, proving the squad’s collective character matches their technical quality.
McClean’s message ahead of the Preston trip was clear about Wrexham’s approach to facing top-six opposition. “We’ll go there, we’ll pay them respect until the first hustle goes and then all respect goes out the window.”
The club’s seven or eight match unbeaten streak shows they can compete at this level. McClean’s return strengthens a squad that already had the depth and mentality required for a sustained play-off push.
McClean’s return to the starting XI shows why Wrexham’s unbeaten run continues. Professionalism matters more than ego in the Championship, and the captain’s response to being dropped proves the club have the consistency and structure to sustain their play-off challenge.
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