Wrexham are still searching for their first Championship win of the season, having taken two points from their opening three matches following Friday’s 2-1 home defeat to Birmingham City. It is an underwhelming return, but before drawing conclusions about Phil Parkinson’s side, it is worth remembering they were actually in a worse position at the same stage last season.
Back then, Wrexham had picked up just one point from their first three games, yet recovered to finish seventh with 71 points, missing the play-offs by two points on the final day.
That does not excuse the performance against Birmingham. Parkinson was clearly unhappy with the manner of the goals conceded and questioned his team’s conviction, especially in the first half, but one poor performance does not have to become a verdict on an entire season.
Wrexham’s slow start last season did not tell the full story
Last season opened with a 2-1 defeat at Southampton, a 3-2 home loss to West Brom and a 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday. It was a difficult introduction to the Championship, leaving Wrexham with one point from nine.
The picture changed considerably over the following months. Parkinson’s side won 19 of their 46 league matches and entered the final day with a play-off place still within reach.
A 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough took Wrexham to 71 points, but Hull City’s victory over Norwich City moved them onto 73 and left the Reds seventh.
Those opening three matches ultimately revealed very little about where Wrexham would stand in May.
This season has begun with 1-1 draws against Cardiff City and Watford before Birmingham became the first team to beat Wrexham in the league. Two points rather than one represents a marginally better return than 12 months ago, even if there has been little to celebrate so far.
That comparison does not guarantee another challenge near the play-off places. It simply shows why an August snapshot should not be treated as a final judgement.
Early perspective does not mean ignoring problems
Supporters are entitled to expect better than Friday’s display, and Parkinson did not hide his frustration after Phil Neumann’s two goals decided the game at the STōK Cae Ras.
“In all of my time here, I think those two are the softest goals we’ve conceded. We’ve got to give ourselves a chance and defend the box better than we’ve done tonight.”
Parkinson’s concerns were not restricted to the defence. He felt Wrexham lacked conviction in the final third and criticised players for waiting for somebody else to take responsibility during the first half.
Those are legitimate concerns and should not be brushed aside simply because the season is young. There is a difference, though, between identifying weaknesses that need correcting and deciding after three matches what this team is capable of achieving.
Parkinson’s record provides useful context. He has overseen three consecutive promotions and then guided Wrexham to their highest league finish in their first Championship campaign.
The next examination comes away at Millwall on Wednesday. Wrexham need improvement after Birmingham, but three matches remain far too small a sample from which to judge a 46-game campaign.
Friday night deserved criticism. The season does not deserve a verdict yet.
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