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Wrexham Vow to Hit Back Hard to Keep Pace With Championship Promotion Hopefuls

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson. Pic. Alamy

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson. Pic. Alamy

Phil Parkinson insists Wrexham are well placed to respond quickly to their midweek setback at Hull City when they host Watford on Saturday.

The Dragons return to the Stok Cae Ras desperate to quickly get their Championship campaign back on track.

The Red Dragons saw their nine-game unbeaten league run come to an end with defeat at the MKM Stadium, only their second loss in 15 Championship fixtures. 

But Parkinson is confident the disappointment will not linger as Wrexham host Watford on Saturday knowing a strong home performance could quickly restore momentum.

"It's good to be back here, it's been a tough week for us in terms of the Preston game and then going to Hull, it's two really challenging games," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"If we'd got the win at Preston then we'd probably say that's not a bad return but the one point is probably less than anybody would have liked, but equally it's great to be back here for the lads and ourselves."

Back-to-back away trips against Preston North End and Hull tested Wrexham’s depth and energy levels, and Parkinson later acknowledged his side lacked their usual intensity in midweek. 

Even so, he is adamant the bigger picture remains positive as the season heads towards the festive period.

"We're disappointed but we're not getting too low about it," he added.

"We've just got to look for ways to respond, concentrate on getting the performance level back to where it needs to be to get wins or get points at this level and that's the intention tomorrow."

READ MORE: Wrexham are Ready to Take on Anyone, Anywhere . . . Says James McClean

Despite the loss, Wrexham remain firmly in the mix, sitting 14th in the table and just four points off the play-off places. 

They are also only a point behind Watford, making Saturday’s clash particularly significant in a congested Championship table where small swings can have a major impact.

The Hornets arrive in north Wales after a late equaliser against Sheffield Wednesday last time out and sit 12th, three points shy of the top six. 

Their away form, however, has been a concern, with just one win in their last 15 league matches on the road, while Wrexham have made the Stok Cae Ras something of a fortress.

READ MORE: Whisper it Quietly, But Wrexham are Starting to Believe in Another Hollywood Ending

The Dragons are unbeaten in seven home league games, winning four and drawing three since a September defeat to QPR, and Parkinson is eager to harness that familiarity after a demanding week on the road.

Team news is also encouraging for the Wrexham boss, who confirmed there are no fresh injury problems ahead of the visit of Watford, despite the tight turnaround between matches.

"Everybody's come through it," he said.

"Matty James twisted his knee slightly but he got away with that. He's fine.

"There's one or two little things but nothing. Everybody's put themselves up for selection for tomorrow because everybody wants to be in the team in this very important game."

READ MORE: Wrexham Charge Has Phil Parkinson Dreaming of Promotion Surge

With rotation a possibility, Parkinson has options as he looks to inject fresh legs and sharpen the performance level. 

The manager is also aware of the importance of reacting quickly at this stage of the season, particularly with the table so tightly packed around the play-off positions.

Saturday’s fixture also represents a rare meeting between the two clubs, who have not faced each other since 1998. 

In Championship encounters during the early 1980s, Watford largely had the upper hand, but current form — especially at home — offers Wrexham plenty of encouragement.

For Parkinson, the focus is less on history and more on how his side respond to adversity. After a rare off-night at Hull, the Wrexham boss believes his players have the mentality to bounce back immediately — and that returning to familiar surroundings could make all the difference.

 

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