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Wrexham are Proving They've Been Carefully Built for Another Instant Promotion

Wrexham's Callum Doyle celebrates. Pic: Alamy

Wrexham's Callum Doyle celebrates. Pic: Alamy

Wrexham are back in the top six places in the Championship and the dream of Premier League football grows stronger after another extraordinary performance, as Ian Mitchelmore reports.

 

Wrexham ran out 5-3 winners in a Championship thriller with Ipswich Town to move back into the Championship's top six at the weekend.

Phil Parkinson's men came from 3-2 down at Stok Cae Ras to secure a second win over Kieran McKenna's side in just eight days.

DragonSports looks at some of the key talking points to emerge from the dramatic fixture in north Wales.

O'Brien runs the show

With two assists, three key passes, two dribbles, three crosses, two tackles, a clearance and a blocked shot, Lewis O'Brien had a hand in pretty much everything.

Operating in a slightly deeper role, the 27-year-old produced arguably his best display in a Wrexham shirt, contributing offensively and defensively on what was another memorable occasion at Stok Cae Ras under manager Phil Parkinson.

"Lewis was outstanding, He's a player who could play again tomorrow, he's so fit," Parkinson said of the midfielder.

"You wouldn't like to play against him because his running power is immense.

"We put him back into that number six role. Lewis himself has given us another dimension in there because he can drive through the heart of the opposition midfield with the ball and I'm so pleased with him."

Squad strength shows

Parkinson made two changes to his side from the 2-2 draw at Bristol City four days earlier.

He drafted in Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass who both scored and assisted each other in the enthralling first half against Ipswich.

The duo now have 23 goals between them across all competitions this term, with their assists against the Tractor Boys taking their combined tally to 10 for the campaign.

Midfielder George Dobson stepped in admirably once again after the hosts lost Ben Sheaf to injury early on, while substitute Nathan Broadhead's cool finish late on against his former club sealed the win.

But coming back to Moore and Windass...

Key duo dazzle as Moore 'unplayable'

In addition to his goal and assist, Moore registered two key passes and won five aerial duels - more than any other player on the pitch.

As for Windass, he also produced two goal involvements along with a pair of key passes, but was happy to drop deep to help Wrexham work their way up the pitch when required.

"I thought Kieffer was back to his best today, I thought he was unplayable, particularly in the first half and Josh does what he does, he produces big moments," Parkinson said of the duo.

With so many midweek games being wedged between their weekend endeavours along with the rigours of a run to the fifth round of the FA Cup, rotation has been key for Wrexham this season.

The quality of the depth Parkinson has at his disposal is hugely impressive, evidenced by the fact that two seasoned Championship stars in Moore and Windass can be drafted in.

Doyle's influence growing

Callum Doyle started just six of the first 18 league matches Wrexham played following his move to north Wales from Manchester City in mid-August.

But he has started each of the Red Dragons' last 13 Championship games and is continuing to grow in a Wrexham jersey.

He was denied a stonewall penalty on the hour mark after being clattered by Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton in the box.

But he responded in fine fashion by heading home an O'Brien corner to put Wrexham 4-3 up with his first ever goal at Stok Cae Ras.

Doyle ended the match having made four clearances and an interception, having also blocked a shot. His tally of 65 passes was also the most of any Wrexham player.

"Doyley's performances are speaking for themselves, he's a really good player and he's fitted in brilliantly with the group," Parkinson said of the left-sided centre-back.

Moments define the collective

If ever a match typified the importance of the collective, this was it.

For starters, five different Wrexham players scored in the same league match for the first time since Parkinson's men beat Barnet 7-5 in October 2022.

But even late on, there was Kieffer Moore's chasing and subsequent block that kept Ipswich penned deep in their own half.

Then came George Dobson's 'taking one for the team' yellow card as Wrexham looked to ensure there was no more late drama after Broadhead struck his side's fifth goal.

It was little wonder Parkinson felt the Wrexham faithful should be brimming with pride in the aftermath of the win.

"The magnitude of the effort and the commitment the lads have given us today, if ever there is a game our supporters should be proud of their team, it was today," Parkinson said.


 

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