How will Wrexham fare in League One?
The League One campaign is just around the corner - this weekend in fact - and Wrexham face their stiffest test in years.
The Red Dragons are aiming to do what seemed totally unattainable a few years ago: win promotion to the Championship.
There’s a lot to dissect about Phil Parkinson’s team heading into 2024-25, so here are some things to watch out for - as well as my prediction for where Wrexham will finish.
Wrexham’s summer transfers
As we’ve come to expect since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over, it was another busy summer for Wrexham in the transfer market.
The notable newcomers include Lewis Brunt, George Dobson, Callum Burton, Sebastian Revan, and Dan Scarr.
Arthur Okonkwo returns after a spectacular loan spell from Arsenal, making the permanent switch to North Wales.
Meanwhile, Wrexham said goodbye to some key promotion figures like Luke Young, Ben Tozer, Rob Lainton and Aaron Hayden.
Former Charlton Athletic captain George Dobson has arrived in a busy transfer window for Wrexham
Wrexham’s competition
Unlike the National League and League Two, which are considered pretty similar in quality, a least at the top end, the competition and calibre in League One is significantly greater across the board.
Birmingham City, Barnsley, Bolton Wanderers, Huddersfield Town, and Rotherham United will be among the big boys like Wrexham eager to win promotion.
Those sides have recently been in the Championship, or nearly promoted from League One, over the past few years and go into the new campaign with plenty of nous at this level.
Many of them have made significant investments as well, are well-coached, and possess an array of talented players with second and third-tier experience.
Then there are also teams that gave Wrexham all they could handle last season, including Stockport County, who finished above them in League Two and clobbered them 5-0 at Edgeley Park, plus Mansfield Town, who ended up just two points below the Red Dragons.
Wrexham’s key to success in League One
The biggest advantage I see Wrexham holding over other League One sides is their man between the sticks, Arthur Okonkwo.
He finished with 16 clean sheets last season and, for my money, is a future Premier League starter, such is his obvious quality.
Okonkwo’s got outstanding reflexes and has an excellent read on the field. He’ll be a key figure in this squad and will steal some matches with his talent and commanding presence.
The permanent signing of Arthur Okonkwo should not be understated when it comes to Wrexham’s promotion credentials in EFL League One this season
Wrexham’s biggest question mark…
With Paul Mullin out to start the season, it’ll be interesting to see if anyone can fill his void.
Wrexham’s #10 should be a consistent goal threat at this level, despite limited League One experience on his CV previously, but will he have enough help from team-mates, or will it be all on him?
I’m not sure Elliot Lee can replicate another 16-goal campaign in midfield, while Steven Fletcher has previous Championship experience, but can he be a consistent threat in the attacking third?
Ollie Palmer, Jake Bickerstaff - loan dependent - and Jack Marriott will have a chance to step up in Mullin’s absence, but can anyone besides Super Paul register double-digits in goals?
Few fans are convinced… which is why signing a striker before the end of the window remains a top priority.
Newcomers to Watch
Wrexham should be a fun team to watch down the flanks, especially with newcomer Sebastian Revan making an early impression.
Revan had an excellent pre-season camp powering down the left and could add an extra dimension to the attack this season.
Revan and Ryan Barnett seem ideal first-choice wing-backs, capable of providing outstanding deliveries to Wrexham’s danger men.
George Dobson is another new face to be excited about as he’s oozing leadership qualities and, like Revan, has done a nice job with his ball movements and involving others in the game.
New summer signing Sebastian Revan is one to watch having made an impression in pre-season
Wrexham Projections
This group has plenty of experience and continuity, while their fearless manager, Phil Parkinson, has a solid track record at this level.
A third successive promotion is within the realm of possibilities, but another automatic promotion could be a stretch, especially in the first season back at this level.
There’s a lot to like about the winning culture, momentum and group dynamics at Wrexham, and the new faces too.
However, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Huddersfield Town, Rotherham United and Barnsley overall seem to be a little stronger - and League One savvier - than the Red Dragons right now.
That said, Wrexham should be play-off contenders, and if they can get there, who knows what could happen?
JOEL’S WREXHAM PREDICTION: Sixth (eliminated in play-off semi-finals)
