Has Ollie Palmer proven to be a bargain for Wrexham?
Many players have stood out and contributed to Wrexham’s early success this season, which has sent them to the top of League One.
Jack Marriott is tied for second in League One goals (three), and Arthur Okonkwo leads the league with four clean sheets.
Max Cleworth has been rock-solid at the back, moving the ball brilliantly and limiting the opposition’s scoring opportunities,
There are plenty of other standouts, too, like Elliott Lee, James McClean and Ryan Barnett, who have all played their part in the early run to 1st place.
But one player’s contributions over the past few seasons have gone relatively unnoticed - and it’s time for Ollie Palmer to get the credit he deserves.
Wrexham’s Unsung Hero
Ollie Palmer joined Wrexham for a then-club record fee of £300,000 from AFC Wimbledon in 2022 and arrived with plenty of expectations on his shoulders.
He joined on a three-and-a-half-year deal, scoring 15 goals in his first campaign with the club in the National League in 21 appearances across the 2021-22 season.
Palmer netted 16 the following season in 45 appearances as they moved up to League Two, then scored seven in League Two a season ago.
What has Palmer brought to the table?
Palmer may not find the back of the net as regularly as his regular attacking partner Paul Mullin, but he’s still been an immensely valuable contributor to Wrexham’s success over the past couple of seasons.
With Mullin seemingly ready to start a League One fixture soon and Jack Marriott in fine attacking form, some are drawing the conclusion that Palmer will find himself as the odd man out.
More than just scoring goals and setting up a few now and again, though, Palmer’s tireless work is noticeable, as is his understanding of the game.
Perhaps that comes with his experience at 32, but he reads the game incredibly well, and that’s something we shouldn’t overlook.
The other thing we shouldn’t overlook is the winning partnership that Palmer/Mullin provide.
During the 2023-24 League Two campaign, Wrexham only lost one match when Palmer and Mullin started together, against Doncaster Rovers in early April (1-0).
Following that defeat, they started four of the final League Two fixtures in a front two, with Wrexham winning each time and Mullin/Palmer registering seven goal contributions combined over that stretch.
Overall, Mullin and Palmer started 17 matches in the league last season, winning 13 times and suffering just one defeat.
Palmer meanwhile started 25 times domestically a season ago, with Wrexham claiming a combined 58 points over that stretch, accounting for 66% of their entire output for points in League Two last season (88).
The big man up top has started all five League One fixtures this season, and the Red Dragons have yet to lose, and he certainly is a big reason why.
Purchasing victories with the addition of Palmer seems like money well spent.
