Wrexham Revival Proves Phil Parkinson's Red Dragons Can Look so Sexy

Josh Windass celebrates Wrexham’s third goal against Norwich. Pic. Alamy

Wrexham’s two wins and a Carabao Cup draw with Cardiff City has Phil Parkinson turning heads again, says Ian Mitchelmore.

A combination of rotation within a high quality squad and "sexy route one football” saw Wrexham get their Championship campaign back on track at Norwich City.

Those words - used by Sky Sports reporter Aaron Paul to describe the away side's equaliser at Carrow Road - swiftly went viral on Saturday afternoon and, crucially, they were as justified as they were worthy of social media engagement.

Ben Sheaf, on his first start for the club, played a long crossfield pass to debutant Issa Kabore, who charged up the right wing before playing an inch-perfect first time cross to the unmarked Josh Windass.

The striker slotted into the net to kick-start Wrexham's comeback against the Canaries.

Manchester City loanee Kabore found himself in an almost identical position for the away side's second goal as he crossed for Ryan Longman to fire beyond Norwich goalkeeper Vladan Kovačević.

The third again started on the right as Max Cleworth's overhit cross found Windass who cut in from the left before curling a sublime strike into the top corner to cap off a lethal 13-minute blitz from Phil Parkinson's side.

Following his side's slow start to the league campaign, Parkinson regularly stated the need for calm and patience as his new-look squad continued to gel, while others who had been sidelined through injury worked their way back into contention.

That mantra was fully vindicated in Norfolk, with Kabore and the returning Windass in particular, proving the 57-year-old manager correct.

Burkina Faso international Kabore ended the contest with two assists and three key passes - both more than any other Wrexham player.

He also chipped in with a tackle, an interception and two clearances.

As for Windass, his workrate and tactical nous out of possession (backed up with two tackles and three recoveries) was as crucial as his lethal showing in front of goal.

Kabore's fellow deadline day signing Dom Hyam also impressed in Wrexham's back three on debut, with the Scot making a tackle, an interception and six clearances in addition to blocking a shot.

Summer signing Conor Coady, Matty James and the experienced James McClean were among those to make way for the aforementioned incomings at Norwich, highlighting the kind of depth Parkinson now has at his disposal.

And this is with striker Jay Rodriguez, midfielders Andy Cannon and Ollie Rathbone, as well as left wing-back Liberato Cacace, all still to come back from injury.

Sadly, though, academy pair Harry Ashfield and Aaron James are, unfortunately, set for spells on the sidelines.

Victory not only helped to swat aside some of the nonsense talk surrounding Parkinson's future at the Stok Cae Ras in the build-up to the contest with Liam Manning's outfit, but it also lifted Wrexham to within three points of sixth-placed Coventry.

Parkinson’s team then backed that up with an unfussy, businesslike 2-0 victory over Reading in the Carabao Cup.

That result has set up a delicious-looking home tie in the fourth round against Welsh rivals Cardiff City, now one level below Wrexham in League One.

All is not perfect after one win on the road and a Cup passage, with the defensive issues still being a concern as Wrexham conceded (at least) two goals for the seventh time in eight matches across all competitions this season.

But the added quality within the matchday squad at Norwich was sufficient enough on this occasion to ensure their problems at the back did not prove costly.

They came from behind to win a league match for the first time since beating Blackpool 2-1 in north Wales on Boxing Day last year.

It also meant they maintained their record of scoring in every match they have played this season, such is the array of attacking talents Parkinson can call upon.

Ever the pragmatist, Parkinson's assessment of the victory was telling.

"This is a good result. But we've got work to do, we know that," he said.

The old adage of not getting too high after wins or too low after defeats fully applies to a manager in Parkinson who has managed more than 1,000 matches during his career.

And while this was just one triumph in an ultimately long and gruelling 46-game league campaign, the Red Dragons emphatically proved their manager right this week to give the Wrexham faithful hope that this could yet be an enjoyable season.