I almost don't want to bother with this, judging from the reactions across the fandom - many from those who predicted a draw. We will examine the narratives in a moment, but if you want to rage about dropping two points, feel free. Everyone fans how they want to fan, but I am not there.

For me, the Cardiff fan reaction to a home draw tells me how they rate the quality between the two clubs. They were ecstatic to get a point at home, off a gift of a free kick from a dumb foul. I heard a lot of Cardiff fans talk about being the bigger club all week, but their reactions tell me what they really believe. I am pretty sure ManU fans weren't going to lose their minds like that if they had gotten a leveler in our friendly against them. Doubt Leeds fans either, if we are making a list.

What is the old "plan for promotion" again? Win your home games, draw your away games - two points per game, and you are up. Wrexham did the thing they must, and Cardiff dropped two points by that measure. Obviously, Wrexham isn't going to do that this season, and this still feels like two points dropped, but it is a good perspective check. Of course, everyone is free to apply their preferred level of perspective.

Up Next

Watford come to the Racecourse on Saturday. They gave Southampton quite a handful - winning 2-1, and they have pace for days with a bunch of new signings. Should be an interesting challenge.

Parky

I have already heard the complaints about sitting in and holding on for dear life. While that was a problem in the past, that is not what happened here. Wrexham out shot, out chanced, hit the post more, and had the higher xG - not only for the match, but also after the 70th minute (excluding the free kick, obviously). They did not hold on like they did in the past. They played good defense and created chances on the counter to put the match away. They just didn't convert those chances. Work in progress, but the direction is there.

That is what cost this club last season. When they were level or behind, they were a top 10 team in chance creation, but when they were ahead in the second half, they dropped to near the bottom. They held the lead enough to drag their overall chance numbers down to bottom half of the table. Today they didn't do that, which is a good thing.

They create these results for the last 30 minutes of matches all season, it will be a good year...

Obviously, there is a certain poetry to Dobbo having given up a dangerous free kick a year ago to give Soton the equalizer in that season opener, but I think we all know that he is expected to move away this summer, and if Matty James doesn't require subbing off, or Ben Sheaf and Josh Windass are up to match fitness, or if they hadn't already subbed off Ollie, he is probably not on the pitch. Another part of the work in progress. I will still miss Dobbo.

I feel like I have spent the summer explaining often why transfer business is not completed before the season starts. If you want to blame this on Wrexham's incompetent transfer business and call for Parky, Shaun, Williamson, etc. to be canned - feel free. We are just going to have to agree to disagree, and not waste our time here on it.

Here is the 5-4-1 block we have seen since last year. Cardiff counters with the 2-3-5 attacking shape. What is clever about this approach is that it forces a player up from the back line to the midfield line.

https://preview.redd.it/uf9vdmesr0kh1.png?width=1919&format=png&auto=webp&s=d9fda5cda7ab72a27c3ee5d9f56186d2263295bc

That leaves two players to split the whole width of the field, and our striker is in the middle of them. Wrexham has numbers to hunt and trap the ball, and if they win the ball and lose it to the counterpress transitioning out, there are still numbers to handle getting it back again. These high turnovers are just not as dangerous. Wrexham have faced multiple zealots for counterpressing in preseason and in the last two matches, and not conceded the goals those systems are designed to create.

https://i.redd.it/lcpprs49w0kh1.gif

I like this new technique of the striker dropping in to bounce the ball back to the back line. You can see it confuses the counterpress and disrupts its timing. When a CB has to go with him, you open the door for a runner over the top - see LOB above.

Then, when they try to play over the top, you have a GK who is very good at tracking and catching the ball before anyone can get a touch.

https://i.redd.it/314egfbhz0kh1.gif

Patto also has the ability to roll the ball out quickly, and an enormous punt. Patto was consistently punking the remote producer of this match, and we would constantly find Wrexham in the Cardiff end when the replay ended.

Lots of teams talk about "play tough defensively and catch opponents on the counter" but this shows a system for doing it.

Players

Dobbo - We have all loved his aggression. His big crunching tackles. He is a tone setter on defense, but this was just unnecessary. The system is built around disciplined support.

Just keep tracking ball side taking away the shooting channel

Moore - Kieffer had a pretty good match. Held up play well, worked across the pitch to support his teammates. He can also take a high quality shot. Reminds me of his goal against Ipswich, or the ones against Cov.

What a chip by Imray too, but Kieffer stays switched on for it.

Patto - Could he do better on the free kick? Of course. Do I think he still was very good, and I am optimistic about his future? Absolutely. He controlled his box. He distributed quickly. He made some great kicks like this monster.

https://i.redd.it/8opisafla1kh1.gif

And I told you he would step into the back line.... I loved this short goal kick play...

Even with Kieffer and LOB nearly colliding, back to front in a hurry

Here is another good example of quick claim, and getting it up the pitch.

https://i.redd.it/4cdwm6slc1kh1.gif

Imray - Again, shows that he may not have Kabore's pace, but he is a much more dynamic tool. Kabore isn't making this center channel run off the transition. We do need him to earn Matty's chip shot pass with a better shot. I think he will get there.

https://i.redd.it/xpgz2alvc1kh1.gif

I really don't have the time to go much further right now, but I might be able to answer questions later, if you have a player in mind.

Broadhead / Thomason - more good than bad. Still having challenges with the things that annoy us about their games...

Hyam - It has become fashionable for those who believe Wrexham needs an upgrade at CB (a fair point) to o further and suggest that Hyam isn't that good, and is a liability. I offer this as an example that he is still a very switched on defender.

His best, but not his only great header

Anyway, a Monday night writeup is a brutal task, so I am going to stop here on this one. I am sure we will have more of these players as the season progresses.

Arthur Okonkwo is a prince of human being, and will genuinely be missed at Wrexham. I will be a fan for life. He carried Wrexham up the leagues into the Championship, and up to 7th in the table.

Do I think he had more to offer? I do.

Do understand the mechanics behind the change - how much was Arthur's judgment on his best way forward versus how much was the staff's assessment of his development curve? No.

But it has been clear since Arthur was benched during the run-in that Ward had been brought in to start, and Arthur's progress during Ward's injury had not changed their assessment.

I don't want any of this to be taken as a massive indictment of Arthur. We are talking the elite of the elite here. So I do not have a slick visualization that shows an £8m in greater value from Patterson.

To be fair, the best data to make that case does exist - tracking data and hours of work on the training pitch, but contrary to scurrilous accusations of my genetic link to Parky, I do not have access to that data. Though, I have considered trolling the sub with a "George Parkinson" flair, but it would be inaccurate, because everyone knows I am closer to Oli Staines's gig.

Getting back to the point... Anthony Patterson is an experienced Championship GK, with a lot of experience at a relatively young age - for a keeper. Parkinson knows him, gave him his first pro start, and he was trained by Parky's trusted GK coach, Lee Butler (who retired after the first season at Wrexham). But just like Patto's flashy save highlight reels, you could get that elsewhere.

In a nutshell from FotMob, not too bad, to the extent GK stats can be divorced from system effects

He has demonstrated that he can play in two very different systems of play - build out of the back, possession-oriented (Sunderland), and direct/transitional/long-ball (Millwall).

When it comes to shot stopping, I can't sign up to whether he is better or worse than Arthur. Frankly, as I have said before, the available data isn't terribly enlightening for me understanding the decision.

So why do I think they made this decision?

An experienced manager will say that no successful tactical model depends on defending a large number of shots, or expecting high difficulty saves. Unsustainable over a 46 game season. I expect even with the defensively stout L1 season, Parkinson still believes this to be true.

An experienced data analyst who crunches the numbers on shot stopping will say that the absolute best shot stopper vs the absolute worst shot stopper is worth about six points. The vast majority of keepers are much closer together around average - so a keeper's other effects start to cloud the assessment of impact.

I think that would both agree that the best way to prevent goals is to prevent shots, particularly high danger shots. They would also suggest that generally the best way to get more points is to score more goals, and most importantly, the keeper has a role in each of these.

Sweeping

In this division, there is too much athleticism, technical skill, and tactical acumen to allow the opposition time and space to play the ball. Parky seemed to want to high press more last season, and even when he wasn't, he wanted to play with a high and active back line.

You need your keeper to cover your backline, particularly with balls over the top. I is even more important when chasing the lead.

Smudge has said he feels like he has adapted well to the Championship, because backlines play so much higher, making it easier for him to run in behind. No, I don't want to hear about how our back line needs to be faster. Yes, pace fixes many things, but if Callum Doyle is faster, he is succeeding John Stones at City, not playing for Wrexham. Smudge got in behind Chelsea's nine-figure backline multiple times in the FA Cup. He was getting in behind so often that he was cramping up by the end of the match.

If I had to nail down my best example of Parky thinking "Arthur isn't ready," it would be here in Arthur's first start in the Championship after Danny Ward's injury. Wrexham is chasing the lead, got one back and has QPR under duress, and then, this happens:

https://i.redd.it/6z6uead7qtih1.gif

This is a panic clearance... Not a designed pass... Not a set play... Look where the ball lands and where Burrell finally gets to it. Arthur does slip at the end, but the problem is the decision. Burrell sees that the keeper is retreating, and that opens the opportunity for him to turn the jets.

Fair enough, one bad play... He isn't alone for blame here, and bad plays happen. But then, ten minutes later. It happens again.

https://i.redd.it/y8k96utcqtih1.gif

To be clear, Arthur is very fast. He has been named as the guy who crushes the preseason sprint tests. This is just about instinctive decision making. This also doesn't make him a bad keeper. It just showing the fine margins in reading plays at this level.

Before you say, "But that is how Parky wants them to play..." When Danny was put back in, here's Cov...

Danny might be the slowest player on that half of the pitch. It is the decision making.

and here's Boro the next match.

https://i.redd.it/r20cy99wqtih1.gif

Is Patterson any better? Yes.

Look at how far he comes out and doesn't just blast it away, but makes a pass to get the attack cycled again.

He is not confined to doing it in wide open green grass, either:

https://i.redd.it/9kgdxrt2rtih1.gif

Takes a touch to settle, and then picks out a pass to transition. Easiest play here would be to push it over the touchline and give Hull a throw in Millwall's end.

In what might have been his last touch for Sunderland, we all saw this:

https://i.redd.it/5chb5yebrtih1.gif

DKD makes a brilliant touch, and then chips over to Ollie. Note that Patto again doesn't try to blast the ball, and potentially let Ollie get a deflection, or miss it, etc. Instead, he makes a nice little touch to push it off to his CB.

All of this shows those fine margins that separate the elite of the elite. That awareness and comfort in dangerous situations.

Being good on the ball under pressure is helpful in other ways too.

Stepping into the backline

In my writeup of the Sunderland friendly, I talked about how a GK stepping into the back line can defeat a high press. We will get back to that in a moment, but first let's talk about how Wrexham has been adding a wrinkle to try to achieve the same result.

I have been showing this tactic where a Wrexham holding midfielder will drop into the backline to help the build. Here is Harry doing it.

Diagnosing if if this is a 1, 2, or 3 man press, and what triggers it.

First time through, you can watch Harry drop into the back line, and LCB push (Brunt) push higher, and the LWB (Moore or A. James) push up. This allows the LWB to push up (far touchline). When Ashy goes back into the midfield, the LWB drops back.

What they are trying to do is maintain a +1 in the build up so they can break the press. That is, they want one more player than ManU is using in the press. But ManU is trying to disguise their pressing structure to get Wrexham to either fail to provide enough players and get trapped or commit an extra player making them +2, which then, with the keeper, makes them +3. That means that ManU effectively has three extra players to mark Wrexham's players up the pitch. This is how you can get stuck in your own end.

Look at the bottom right of the screen there, you see Barney pinning the fullback. Wrexham typically has the RWB pin their fullback and the LWB drop a little deeper to cover the LCB.

Wrexham LCB's (Doyle, Brunt, TOC, etc.) have in recent years been pretty good at getting the ball up the pitch. This is also why Thommo was solid at LWB. CDMs play triangle passing games all the time, so him dropping in to link up with the LDM, LAM and the LCB is pretty natural to him.

Let's look at an example of this "CDM into the back line" in real life.

Brunt, lower right and Dobbo, top.

You can see that Brunt has pushed up, and Dobbo has dropped into back line. With the center backs providing width to the build, both wingbacks can push high with their CB in support. This opens space for Brunt to carry the ball all the way into the final third.

The benefit of pushing both wingbacks high in the build - defenders concede the wide spaces, instant progression.

If your keeper can step into the back line, like this, and you pretty much can't be pressed effectively.

If your keeper can hit all of these passes (he can), then you really challenge a pressing structure.

You can see the numbers required here to close off quick progression up the pitch.

It is even better when your keeper can quick release a kick like this, because you are 3v3 against the Wrexham back line. Imagine you have Kieffer or Sam here?

Max gets grief lately, but he reads and wins this, and that turns things back up the pitch.

Bottom line

If you want to see shot stopping, those are out on YouTube, or you can just ask Kieffer about it in the promotion finals. I think Patterson might be a better shot stopper than Arthur, but not £8m better at it.

Where he might be worth £8m is if he helps unlock the other £40m-sh in signings Wrexham have made around him. He does that by protecting the backline so they can aggressively attack teams and create high turnovers. He also does that by being able to take the teeth out of a high press, which enables playing through the thirds.

I am not saying Arthur couldn't do this, but I am saying the staff didn't have the confidence in him to build a tactical model around expecting him to do it. The staff's job is to work in training to find out what tactics enable a player to have their best chance at success.

Maybe they won't use these skills to achieve these benefits. All systems are series of tradeoffs, and I could be entirely wrong about all of this. I have heard some wild theories about the decision. The Parky OUT crowd still plays the same song, but they have a new verse about Nickson having been brought in to end Parky's massive record of transfer failures. I didn't listen close enough to hear if they cut the line about Parky being too old and power mad to allow anyone else to be involved in personnel.

So, I tried not to judge the decision right or wrong, and just try to understand the move.

For the record, I do NOT anticipate doing this for every signing. I just figured I wasn't alone with "Parky is getting another keeper, and I have a rough idea why, but not sure I understand £8m why."

I doubt a wingback or striker signing would be as thought provoking.

It is funny that Parky said they would treat this like a preseason friendly, because a one-goal away match pretty much defines the preseason. Still, missing your two best players, with some minor injuries around the squad.

You get one of the worst draws you could, at their place, so it isn't hard to decide you aren't going to extend yourself to try to stay in this Cup. I think the squad reflected that.

Up next

In ten days, Wrexham ends both Championship MD1 and their summer road odyssey (yeah, I said it) at Cardiff City Stadium by welcoming the Bluebirds back to the Championship. Hopefully, it will be as rude as their visit to the Racecourse in this Cup competition last season.

Parky

This was another match where it felt different than the numbers and video showed. Wrexham surprisingly held more of the possession 51-49, but the field tilt probably a better indictor, and Boro had that 28-17, but while chances were 10-6 Boro, Big chances were 4-2 Wrexham. I often use the big chances as my "but were we really feckless in attack?" yardstick. If the scorekeeper thinks it should have been 4-2, well... It wasn't that bad.

Doesn't mean Wrexham were the better team on the day or that there aren't things to work on, just that I wouldn't be terribly dejected by it all, like some seem to be.

https://preview.redd.it/hpmb0c6k57ih1.png?width=1279&format=png&auto=webp&s=f5d92fa1af0e10824adf5c6cb152c755ca98f0e7

Felt like Wrexham settled into the 5-4-1 block pretty quickly, compressed their pocket players, and then just knocked down all of the crosses from wide.

I liked seeing how the structure remained strong out in a disciplined high press. They didn't get caught out when Boro played out.

https://i.redd.it/7hzm0teu96ih1.gif

There is always a lot of discussion about building a team that could stay up in the PL. While talent is part of that for sure, being able to execute a tight, yet active defensive block that can build counterattacking opportunities like these might be more important. Not saying they are aiming to get promoted, just clear they are building their off ball identity, which would play well in the future.

Broady nicks the pass and then puts the pass into the space to guide Ollie on to it.

This emphasis on being patient, even against a heavy counterpressing side like Boro, and even when losing the ball, seems a key tactical principle this season.

However, I do think this approach will require not allowing their strong comfort on the ball deep in their own end to turn overly casual, like Thommo here:

See how they build the triangle, and then Thommo tries a little off balance pass - under no pressure, bad turnover.

When you play with three CBs, you need your CBs to be involved in the attack. Here is a great clip showing both Vyner with a nice ball up the channel to Smith, and then Doyle attacking the left half-space on the dribble. In between, you can see LOB putting on a clinic in rest defense. All very structured and integrated, in all four phases of the game.

https://i.redd.it/0dgda8brm6ih1.gif

Of course, another great tactical element that has returned to the Wrexham game - the long throw:

Long throws can create interesting second phases - like this one.

All in all, they were set up to win this one, and play like this will serve them well this season.

I was a bit disappointed not to see a "down a goal" package get introduced, but if you are missing Windass, and you have Vyner/Doyle attacking like they were, you probably are already getting your available attackers on the pitch, while just working off your base shape.

Players

Broady - probably MOTM for me. Very dynamic. Defended well. This is your regular reminder that he fits this system just fine - won't bother repeating my old back four rant. I had like three or four clips I liked, but I really like when he is "feeling" the game like this:

Just follow his movement. There is something intuitive in that...

Rathbone - If Broady wasn't taking the abuse after this one, it was Ollie, who I thought had a very good game too. He had looked as step slow to me earlier in the preseason, which was a reminder of how he seemed late in the season, but he was everywhere today. He missed a couple of shots (xG regression is a thing, the bill comes due for that QPR screamer!). In the earlier clip, you saw him run onto the Broady outlet, and make that one touch to Smudge, but I really liked this.

Welcome to Championship, Mr. Arfsten, you might get away with that in MLS, but not here.

Ward - he had a great save early, and was good on claiming the ball. His kicks were uneven, and I was disappointed at the limited sweeping, especially late. Here is that great save. This is all veteran positioning.

https://i.redd.it/pmox6895r6ih1.gif

Whiteman - He looked like a player who had been through one training session with the team. You could see his quality, and he managed to work through disconnects. His corners were great. This second one (wiped out with a poor call on Cadz) is going to be a goal this season.

https://i.redd.it/jxwhnn6767ih1.gif

Imray - He is still working himself into game shape with only 65ish mins, and I bet he wants his back post miss back (I think he would say he was too casual with it), but I think you can see his quality. I can't stress enough how outstanding this reception of the long ball is...

At a full sprint, receives and keeps going. PL level stuff there.

Vyner - I thought he was really solid at both ends. Firing balls up the channel, and using his experience to execute his defensive assignments flawlessly. Boro beats two pressures in a row, and Zak smoothly cleans it up.

Thommo blocks his clearance, but the structure holds up.

Smith - Had a rough day overall. Could have had a hat trick in this match. Stepped on the ball in a 1v1 with the keeper, fell, and got a yellow card for simulation. Obviously, he still put in a shift - he always works hard, flicked on a couple of good balls, but sometimes things just don't drop for you. I bet he will hate losing this duel with Ayling the most:

Contrast his touches here with Imray's touch earlier.

Moore - While he was caught offside late (bad call, but really close), I was a little more comforted by his appearance. He has notoriously had a problem imposing himself on a match when coming in as a sub, but I thought he was his usual self in this match. If he can fill the Fletch closer role, it could work really well for him and the club.

Cadz - Really good shift from him. He showed he can be dynamic with the ball at his feet and not just making off ball runs. This dribble is a reminder that he has played as a winger also.

Notice that Kieffer in the left channel, Bailey in the middle and DKD on the right...

DKD - Not the best shift, but he did get the fewest minutes to work, and they were chasing. I am not ready to write him off.

Hyam - Really strong shift. I realize it has become popular to say that he has been exposed as a poor Championship defender, but I don't agree.

Great read of the cross, gets enough of a header to put it far enough that the block can get reorganized.

Doyle - Usual Doyle... but could see the fatigue on him as the game wore on, but he has been all over these clips. The best player on the pitch for either side most of the night. I thought this play (welcome to the EFL, Seb! Enjoy your complimentary nutmeg.)

https://i.redd.it/dbgpgcgg37ih1.gif

Thommo - I think that he has taken the questions about his 1v1 defending to heart and is really looking to prove the doubters wrong. This play against Morgan Whittaker, who is one of the best attackers in the Championship (though streaky - like a lot of attacking players) was outstanding.

Look at the gesture to \"get up!\" He always was jawing at him as they walked back up the pitch...

LOB - I think he was really good. His energy, explosiveness and smarts in the middle of that block. He occasionally makes an unwise pass in a dangerous spot, and his explosiveness in space is helpful, but he just does stuff like this all the time:

https://i.redd.it/fawvtezo87ih1.gif

Matty James - He was fine. His usual veteran smarts, but I felt like he was the player most feeling the travel in this match.

End of preseason verdicts (well, my guesses)

Dobbo is going out. I don't know if it is going to be to Wednesday, but Parky's "no formal offer yet" is pretty telling. I expect this is at his request.

Cadz is staying until January, unless there is a big striker signing, and even then, maybe he goes.

Brunt - While it is possible that Brunt was one of those with an injury that held him out, and if Scarr goes, he might get that spot on the bench, what is clear is that Max will be named in the matchday squad (starting or on the bench). I could see him wanting to go out.

Why will Max be in the matchday squad? Because with Ashy, Alex Moore, and Aaron James not in the Cup match, and there being no Cup matches until 2027, they are likely all headed out on loan. This leaves Max as the only club-developed player in the squad. So, if he isn't one of the 20 in the match day squad, then they lose that extra spot on the bench. In a couple of years, hopefully the academy is Cat 2, with a U21 squad, and it is producing club-developed players for that depth role.

Rumors going around are that Parky wants a GK, a CB, a striker and a wingback.

Worth noting that no one near the club is suggesting that getting players out is necessary or a problem. The way these things usually work is that the Club hands the player's agent the framework of what they will accept, and let's the agent deal with it - loans or sales. If there is going to be a termination of the contract, the settlement is usually the difference between the player's wages and his next contract. They make the player whole, not giving away free money for nothing.

Same thing with loans. Typically, the floor for a loaned player is that receiving club pays the average wage for a player in that club's division, and the loaning club makes up the difference. Of course, the ceiling can be all of the wages, and a fee on top.

Wrexham does not need the money from getting players out in order to make signings. We have seen they have 10m+ of offers to Moreno (CB) and Dieng (striker) that did not nor have not closed.

It is much more likely they will punt on using SCR space on players they don't rate to leave money for Nickson, than they will be unable to sign a player they do rate due to money.

I expect Barney goes.

I am leaning towards Longman staying, even as the fifth wingback option. If they sign a two-sided wingback, that could change.

I expect DKD stays, but that depends on who signs. It appears clubs have called on him, and he may want to go if he is going to have a small role.

I think Scarr goes, and he deserves to go, get a new deal somewhere, but if they don't get another CB in...

Worth noting that The Athletic quoted Parky as saying that Sheaf, Windass, and Cacace should be back soon. Whether you are in the "bin off Cacace ASAP" crowd or not, it appears they don't see it that way. I have said it before, I expect LOB could be more than serviceable as a LWB, if needed.

Also, Harry Amass is an intriguing young prospect with room to grow, but one of these is Amass (6m), and the other is George Thomason (1m):

So, going to pay 6x for a maybe replacement? I can see why Wrexham may not do it.

Not trying to rip Amass, might end up a great player, even a great player for Wrexham, but that kind of high-cost upside play seems like one you leave to Nickson to decide. The idea being put out there that he was dominant at Wednesday, just doesn't match the data. Also, he missed half the season with an injury. If we are questioning Libby's durability in this division, why play 3x for someone with similar questions?

Alright, I didn't want to add to the litany of Ben Whiteman posts, but it seems my adding the Imray caps and data onto existing posts wasn't very helpful, so I figured I would put together what I dug up when looking into him. And yes, I discarded some really horrible Ben puns to settle for this one.

Preston fans online can take swipes at the guy being terrible, a steal for what we paid, etc. but I am pretty happy with the signing.

Parky buys him a CDM every summer (or three, last summer), and having been one himself, that seems to be his wheelhouse in scouting.

First, let's just look at the FotMob type stats, and how he compares to the average Championship CM, and compared to Wrexham's best player in that stat. Also, your regular reminder that Ben Sheaf is a very good footballer.

Metric	Per 90	Success	CM avg /90	Percentile	Wrexham best /90
Touches	67.0		62.1	p74	81.1 / Sheaf
Passes	45.9	74%	38.9	p80	53.4 / Sheaf
Receptions	30.8		29.5	p63	43.4 / Sheaf
Progressive passes	6.30		3.00	p96	4.96 / Sheaf
Third-breaking passes	9.08		4.93	p93	8.17 / Sheaf
Key passes	1.49		0.82	p89	0.81 / Dobson
Long balls	9.39		4.42	p96	6.43 / James
Carries	5.81		9.47	p11	10.38 / Sheaf
Progressive carries	2.39		3.37	p24	3.90 / Sheaf
Clearances	3.09		1.59	p96	1.98 / Dobson
Aerials won	1.18	55%	1.08	p63	1.52 / Sheaf
Aerials — own third (defensive)	0.37	53%	0.21	p85	0.46 / Sheaf
Aerials — oppo third (offensive)	0.18	53%	0.23	p43	0.41 / Sheaf
Ints	1.16		0.87	p76	1.06 / Sheaf
Tackles	1.73	54%	1.84	p54	2.59 / Dobson
Ground duels	2.48	38%	2.59	p54	3.32 / Dobson
Blocks	0.79		0.71	p65	1.10 / Sheaf
Recoveries	3.97		4.39	p33	6.52 / Sheaf
Shots	0.88		0.98	p52	0.83 / Sheaf

Another tall CM (he's 6-1) named Ben with a ton of Championship experience, what is not to like?

I know that some will say, "Nice player and all, but we need more attacking/defending, CM is our most stocked position." But the season went south when James and Sheaf got injured, and the holding midfield is such a key to how Wrexham wants to play. When the holding midfielders are struggling to control the ball, the 10s have to drop in to help get them out, which limits their threat in the final third. It also causes issues with transitions which is the cause of a lot of Wrexham's goals against last season. Simply, if you want your best out of your backline or your strikers, you need to have good control of the midfield.

So, let's look at some pictures.

His touch heatmap

There is a central midfielder who plays either side, and contributes on both screening the backline, but also in the rest defense.

Look at it a different way, here the blue spots are his average position across all of his matches.

Wrexham CMs average positions in the squares

The X is his overall average position, and the square shows the mean slot (I don't want to get into the math). The key takeaway is to look at which Wrexham players are closest to him - Sheaf and James. Also note that he is further into the attacking area than them, so it defeats that "PNE sat back" narrative that was floating around recently.

Another way is to look at all of his defensive actions:

Clearance (x), aerial (square), recovery (circle), interception (diamond), tackle (triangle), block (inv. triangle)

He is a midfielder who moves where he needs to support the play.

This is one that shows all of his passes from last season. It is a bunch much on the eyes, but its important takeaway stands out - the green...

Blue completed, dashed incomplete, green progressive

Those green lines are his progressive passes. That is pretty impressive, when you can basically cover your normal passes with progressive ones on the map.

Another thing worth noting there, he not only takes corners, but he can reliably serve in-swinging and out-swinging corners. More on that in a bit...

Another way of looking how he plays on the pitch is where he receives passes - everywhere.

Blue spots are where he received a pass, gold lines are where he made a pass into the next third

The bottom line in all of this, he moves around to help get on the ball, and he moves the ball up the pitch with quality passing.

Finally, he is willing to take a shot, here is his shot map:

Two goals on about 4 xG, slightly unlucky, or not a great finisher, either way... Might poach one or two...

Alright, I know you don't want any more boring diagrams, so here are some clips for what he did against Wrexham.

Here he is starting the play, and then getting the key pass at the end of the sequence.

https://i.redd.it/nlb3z7cicdhh1.gif

Wasn't the only time, he is pretty savvy with the off-ball movement, and puts another dangerous cross in here:

https://i.redd.it/runl4yvncdhh1.gif

I promised corners... Here is a traditional in-swinging corner. Note the placement here... He hits his guy waiting unmarked - how you draw it up. Not only that but that motion is very nice.

https://i.redd.it/himq6ywxcdhh1.gif

Wrexham rarely tries outswinging corners, and when they have, they frequently would swing them out of play first.

https://i.redd.it/vfw4gqhhddhh1.gif

This is pretty impressive to be able to keep it this flat and close to the goal. A lot of times, these end up above the penalty spot, and even sometimes create transition the other way.

But he can defend also... here he is against the very quick-footed Broady.

https://i.redd.it/3a5kpw5rddhh1.gif

And our best attacking player, Josh...

https://i.redd.it/9vmd5skuddhh1.gif

Finally, defending Kieffer...

This is impressive because Kieffer is waiting for him to commit to slip the ball to Broady, disciplined...

Finally, I will leave you with what I think is the best summary play.

https://i.redd.it/qomdnjadedhh1.gif

He takes the ball off the set piece, and manages to put great service into the box with live play and being closed down, and when Wrexham wins the duel, he moves over to intercept the outlet pass with a slide to get there.

I think he will do just fine. A good rotation with Sheaf, James, LOB and him should give Wrexham a solid foundation this season.

While I liked some of the young developmental names we were linked with earlier in the window, this is just not fooling around to make sure Wrexham can consistently execute the style of play we saw in the preseason. Plus, add a bunch of set piece threat.

To be honest, that was the most preseason of preseason games. Third game in a week, end of the tour, headed home, hot weather, etc. Sunderland are a quality side. Brobbey is a beast.

Do something. No, you first! I seriously thought the ref had stopped play.

Wrexham got minutes in the legs, but I am not ready to take too much from this one. I have heard the scorching takes flying around, but I just don't think the match told us much about the squad that we didn't already know.

The people I heard suggesting relegation this time last season, shockingly, still think this team is poor, isn't up to the owners' expectation, etc. Those who think Doyle is too slow, or Arthur should stay the #1, or Kieffer isn't a quality striker, etc. etc. - they still think that. I think the median number of signings required to "have a chance" is five, but those below five signings generally caveat it with needing a £15m striker. A few are even constructing their fantasy "Parky gets fired" losing streaks.

But I will endeavor to make this post something worth reading, like Danny Imray at the end.

Up Next

Head to Boro on Friday for the first round of the Carabao Cup. Parky said they were going to treat it as an extra preseason match, and while some criticized the preseason tour for causing that, it is pretty common for clubs to take that mindset towards the early rounds of the Carabao Cup. "Focus on the League" is a common cliche for a reason.

An away match against a division opponent is about the worst draw you can get, and the only thing that might keep Wrexham in the Cup is Boro wanting to beat Wrexham's level of ambivalence towards the Cup. Shaun noted it in the doc - cup runs can really put a burden on a club. International breaks already compress the Championship season - 3 weeks end September into October, another week in November.

Windass and Sheaf are due back in full training this week, so probably won't see them. Maybe if a signing closes early this week we might see them Friday, but I expect it will be the proverbial "squad game"...

Parky

I laughed to see Parky to respond to all of the "Well, I guess Thommo is a wingback now" comments on the Whiteman rumors by starting Thommo in the double pivot. I even had the wild thought that maybe they would give the 3-5-2 shape a run out for the first time this preseason, but I then couldn't see Parky playing Cadz or Broady as a high 8. Luckily, they made it obvious early - same 3-4-3.

https://preview.redd.it/xq5qysu5q1hh1.png?width=1919&format=png&auto=webp&s=449e958b99192b211e9aff024a6aa0f7f2a4bc33

This shows the advantage of a GK that can step into the back line, it pretty much makes your build press proof. You can see that you have to mark the two CBs, and put the CDM in your cover shadow (block the passing lane). Broady and Cadz have to be able to shift and cover passes from the CBs to the FBs or to the CDM, Kieffer has to prevent the GK from putting it out the CDM directly (which the GK did a couple of times).

(Note: an easier way to see this is not to look at the players, but the lines between them. The pressers try to cut the lines and then trap the ball. The building team tries to create them.)

Ball has moved to the far side, and they shift to cover his options. Notice the wingbacks prepared to take away the immediate pass.

I often talk about space manipulation, and this moving to create lines, and force your opponents to move to break them is what I mean. Here is a good example of Thommo creating space, he even points at the line for Zak here.

https://i.redd.it/300s6emfr1hh1.gif

While I really need Cadz to do better here, he still gets the corner. It also shows why you ideally want to be pouring minutes into him to gain experience.

So, we saw the normal things we have been seeing all preseason - CDMs dropping in as a third CB to get on the ball, and CBs stepping out aggressively to challenge the ball in the pockets, though here is Thommo showing some rust by being late to drop into Doyle's space.

Fresh round of the Doyle recriminations today...

All in all, the chances were there, and they were there against the Sunderland first XI too. Not that Sunderland had their chances, too...

I also think there has been a greater emphasis on reducing the reliance on the high cross, but that could just be me, I will be watching out more.

Players

Let's get uncomfortable part out of the way first...

Arthur - When someone points out some weaknesses that might be behind the reason the staff has brought in competition, the response is often "None of that stuff matters. He does the most important thing a GK does, exceptionally well - save shots!" I think that is unsupported by the stats and even the eye test on goals like the one today. I suspect their internal tracking data supports that there are issues in his process too. What he does is make exceptional saves that steal goals... but consistency is critical, and he just struggles with it.

The shot goes through Arthur. Chomp said on Sgorio, that he has to use his leg there, no time to drop.

Thommo - While he played most of his career at Bolton in the double pivot, and other than Reading in the Cup, he mostly played an 8 in 3-5-2, or a pressing 10 (as a sub) in 3-4-3. I think the staff loves him because he is a smart player, who just never quits.

To slow, turnover, gets back into the play...

I also think this should remind you why he was Bolton's captain at a young age:

https://i.redd.it/4rkpta5ts1hh1.gif

Cadz - He's just raw. You see him make some good plays, and then you just see him rough around the edges. I think he can do a job, he doesn't cost a spot, but does he need more minutes than you can give him in a promotion chasing side?

https://i.redd.it/d6gefylys1hh1.gif

Because he doesn't give this to Danny with enough pace, Cadz and Broady have to check their runs, and can't feed them a cross in behind, has to hit the trail runner (Kieffer). Josh Windass blasts this home every time - keeper would have no chance.

Imray

Let's face it. You just want to know about him. Short version: he is very good. So, you saw the play above. But it was not the only dime into the box.

https://i.redd.it/2l3qn55tt1hh1.gif

Kieffer has a choice here to shoot it, or he can take a touch and shoot it. Gold plated set up.

But Danny can defend 1v1 also...

Isolated, with the attacker with momentum, still forces a corner.

Not just a pure recovery pace thing. He has good defensive footwork too.

https://i.redd.it/gjdy9w5zu1hh1.gif

He doesn't quit on plays either. He gets his cross blocked, and he wins the aerial to get it back.

https://i.redd.it/tlyiz2a8v1hh1.gif

I like that he plays smart. In this case, he doesn't just head the ball away, he heads it to Thommo:

Thommo misses, and the defender has last touch, but Imray fakes him off the ball.

Obviously not perfect, but I like that he just keeps working. He doesn't usually miss trapping the ball like this:

https://i.redd.it/rjx07r2sv1hh1.gif

He still needs to work on gelling with teammates, clearly he thought Cadz would make the exit run onto this ball.

https://i.redd.it/o56xzbrnv1hh1.gif

He does a great job, holding this corner clearance to create a second phase, but then he thinks Thommo is going to send him the pull back pass, and checks his run, which makes Thommo look like he passed it over the by line.

https://i.redd.it/ibea3mc2w1hh1.gif

Finally, when I saw this conversation, I wondered whether Matty James might follow former player turned coach Dave Jones down that path...

https://i.redd.it/as8zz6mgw1hh1.gif

I think this one will have to be a quick one, midweek, late night, work, etc. Plus, the camera angle makes the tactical stuff a little harder to read.

I don't anyone who saw the announcement of a match against Liverpool at Yankee Stadium and thought, "Yeah, that will be a close match." I doubt many saw it turningout 1-nil off a weird deflection off Lewis Brunt's back - floating just under the bar, giving Callum Burton no chance to save it.

You would not be crazy if you assumed at 1-nil it was one of those siege matches (e.g. Ipswich away last season), and not guessed that Wrexham had would miss three point blank headers, and Kieffer lay up. Wrexham outshot them 11-9 with Big chances (i.e. scorer thinks should have been goals) 5-1. Wrexham acquitted themselves well.

Yes, in fairness, it wasn't Liverpool's Best XI, but a fair percentage of those they did play could earn significant minutes for Wrexham with their elite athleticism and technical skill. A fresh Rio against a tired (does he get tired?) George Thomason was no easy task. Finally, Dominic Szoboszlai (Slobo, from now on) played. He is one of the best players in the PL, worth nine figures (about twice Wrexham's whole squad), and he did not look like he was in preseason form.

Oh, and I saw the horror and resignation about Danny Ward starting among a large chunk of the Wrexham fan base.

Up Next

A trip to Philly to close out the tour on Sunday with a match against Sunderland. Might get our first look at Danny Imray.

Parky

Let's start for a moment with Liverpool's new manager Andoni Iraola and why I think my earlier "not their best XI" might slightly undersell the difficulty Wrexham faced. He is trying to integrate his tactical philosophy into the squad, which turns this into more than a GPS exercise. Additionally, a number of the depth/academy players selected have an incentive to show they fit into the new manager's system. Like we saw with ManU, often the "kids" give a better match than the first XI - they need it more.

Watched a good ACFC (good YT channel) breakdown of of what to expect from Iraola at Liverpool, and they summarized his approach in one word - intensity. ACFC identified three major ways that is achieved: pressing intensity, attacking wide, and brave progression. You could see it all in this match. Here is Doyle, one of the most press-resistant CBs in the Championship, getting jumped:

I am not saying Koumas's Wrexham ties pulled this wide, but... I am not denying it either.

While Wrexham at some rough patches (mostly at the beginning of each half), I think they set up pretty well to manage this. Here's how.

The first one is, and this has become a theme of this offseason, patient, quick movement of the ball.

Their difference between being willing to play without the ball, and refusing to keep it.

Quick decisions, lots of off ball movement, short passes, supporting each other, and opening cracks that force the opposition to drop off to prevent a transition attack.

I will not say they turned into Man City or Barca by dominating possession, because they didn't, but this is a key difference from those siege matches last season. Don't give the ball away after you win it, make them earn it back, preferably in their end of the pitch.

(Side note: this is why some people prefer field tilt (ratio of touches in the opposing box) over possession. A mid block dropping into a low block will often give the attacking team significantly more of the ball, but it doesn't capture the actual threat produced. In this match, Liverpool 61/39 possession, but 50/50 on field tilt. I think the field tilt tells the story better for this match at least.)

Wrexham used same principle off the ball. Be very well organized. Support each other and communicate. Make them work hard. Even the Liverpool broadcast analyst, who started by praising the quality of the attackers (who he helps coach), praised Wrexham's organization.

This sequence goes on for another couple of minutes after this before ending up with a ball that rolls to Ward's feet.

Note that this is not opening minutes of the match, but rather halfway through the match. An elite level talent Liverpool squad lead by Slobo still hasn't found an answer to breaking down Wrexham. I still think Wrexham get another CB (RIP Matias Moreno), but this is how you improve your goals against.

Finally, and I have been really looking forward to showing this, let's talk about the wide attacks part.

This is Rio Ngumoha, an elite PL winger, who a lot have tagged for superstardom, comparing him to Yamine Lamal, etc. Many people (including me) have questioned whether CDM George Thomason would have the ability to square up and defend elite wingers in the wide space. He passes this test with flying colors.

https://i.redd.it/9x335abo5fgh1.gif

Notice how he gets support from Doyle, LOB and DKD. This structured defending lets Thommo engage the ball and win it back.

It was not confined to just this first unit getting it done. Here is Libby and Brunt taking on Dutch International Jeremie Frimpong (worth 36m):

https://i.redd.it/qli06zrk5fgh1.gif

And here is the obligatory clip of the patient build with the whole new unit:

See if you can tell why some think, as much as we love Dobbo, he may not fit into things well moving forward.

This team still has weaknesses, but I think this shows real evidence that this staff can build and integrate the type of tactical system needed to compete in the Championship and do it across the whole squad. This is recognizing some failure points last season, and addressing them.

(Side note: with these missed open headers on corners, you can see why a Harry Souttar type is so attractive.)

Players

Broady - He had the most dangerous shot for either side on the evening, and while I am not breaking my "no wingback rants" rule and its "Broady doesn't fit" corollary, look at this for a moment.

https://i.redd.it/dk4ik04e5fgh1.gif

Yet again, Broady is in the wide channel, and progresses the ball by beating a player on the dribble. Note who is in the channel here next to him, Libby Cacace, who played enough LAM at Empoli (including his last match) that some thought he was coming to Wrexham as a CAM. (Yes, I want Broady to not worry about beating Frimpong and slide this to Cacace to slide it back, but that is a chemistry thing.)

Cacace - Speaking of Libby... You saw it above with that play on Frimpong, there are times in each match where he just looks a level above. I think people are really going to like him this season. A couple of examples:

If you thought Thommo's work on Rio was good, Libby just straight throws him out of the club.

Look at the pace and roll on that pass. Broady can take it on the half turn before Frimpong can even set his feet.

And of course, this is a tap-in... against Liverpool.

One touch to align his run, second touch, brilliant.

Aaron James - Another really strong performance, particularly against some tough competition, and he is solid attacking the dribble, reading space, etc. This is a nice little sequence where Max is the grizzled vet in the play, but this cross is not gonna get the job done. Pretty consistent weakness in his game.

https://i.redd.it/b9l5g7fy4fgh1.gif

LOB - You know who can put in a cross, even from deep? A guy who is making a case for himself to spend a lot of time in the rest defense, where this sort thing ends well.

https://i.redd.it/ajgnxcou4fgh1.gif

Of course, the only thing prettier than this LOB cross, was the Matty James backheel to set it up.

https://i.redd.it/ie53zrqo4fgh1.gif

Cadz - This was another game where you see his raw talent, and how he is learning, but then you see things like this and you realize, he really needs to play a lot more minutes than Wrexham will give him right now.

Watch Kieffer in the middle. He looks and notices his pressing partner isn't next to him.

Despite the late notice, he still almost gets there, but also shows what late pressing gets you - opened up.

DKD - I think he has done enough for me to warrant being in the rotation in the 10s. I think he can do a shift as a rotational starter in the Championship. He had a few nice plays, including these two in particular. First, this is a chance entirely created by him being switched on, reading the pitch, making the steal.

https://i.redd.it/ppbqq0xc4fgh1.gif

He misses the shot, but missing a shot he creates bothers me a lot less than those that are created for him (well not him, but you know where I am going with this).

Here's another example of staying switched, tracking his FB on a overlapping run, recovering Scarr's clearance, and then drawing the frustration foul.

Good pace, and he slows to make sure he gets his foot up to affect the cross.

Brunt - Out of respect, I am going to censor the goal he should have scored... and the goal he shouldn't have scored out. Nor will I show his header that almost went in Wrexham's goal. I thought he had rougher night than the last match, but still has the athleticism to keep him around the squad.

Ashy - Another solid shift in CM. I thought he struggled when he came on as a CAM, but that was against Slobo, so I understand. When he dropped back to CDM he was pretty impressive. I really liked this piece of play from him.

Creating space moving the defender, receives back to goal twice calmly, and gets out of a touchline trap

All in all... Matty James remains excellent, Kieffer was better than his misses would make you feel. Scarr was pretty good in this game. Ask me if you have questions on someone else.

Finally, I will leave you with this picture, which cracks me up:

Frimpong looks at Kieffer and says, \"I got Cleworth\"

Sorry for the delay, as you might imagine these can take a while, and I decided it would be foolish to try to press it so late. The rants would be unbearable with that level of fatigue!

Sure, it is just a friendly, and it was their first preseason match, and they didn't bring Harry Wilson on until later, and didn't suit up some big signings, but they are a talented squad nonetheless. Feel like Leeds controlled a large portion of the match, but that didn't bother Wrexham. Certainly nothing like that those artillery ranges at Ipswich and Charlton (I can't believe I said that, or that it happened). Wrexham looked like they were doing the classic "control the match without the ball."

And that is really the key, they executed well, and they did it with a range of players in a variety of positions, and that is what you want from a preseason match.

Up Next

Liverpool at Yankee Stadium. Still a little hard to get my brain around that one.

Parky

First, no matter what Sofascore shows, Wrexham were not playing 4-3-3. No Opta data, no Opta detected shape. Someone guessed based on the lineup list. No need to panic. :)

They were in their typical 3-4-2-1 system, which attacks in 3-2-5/3-1-6, mid-blocks in 5-2-2-1 compressing down to 5-4-1, and pressing in 3-4-2-1 at times. The usual adjusting block heights, pressing triggers, etc. as the opponent tactics require.

This sequence off the opening kick is a textbook example of how Enzo Maresca won Chelsea the Club World Cup (in the US, fittingly enough).

https://i.redd.it/ybj3gnk0llfh1.gif

Draw the press onto you, and then work your way through with tight patient movement, no extra touches, until you open the transition attack. The key to this is Broadhead. He makes that hard step to sell that he is going to put that ball to Cadz in the right channel, which gets the defender to commit across opening the path to put the ball to a free running Thommo.

Credit to Thommo also for driving that into the middle. Last season, he liked to keep those runs wider and it forced him to take a shot from a wide angle (he does not have Josh Windass's shot) or cross it from wide - letting the box fill with defenders. By attacking the center, he opens the space for that "in to out" run by Kieffer - who makes a very nice finish. (Note how comfortable Aaron James is making that back post run, too. He has played RB and RW during his NLN loan.)

If the first goal was a testament to how far this squad has come to want to "play with the ball" as Parky says in interviews (though I suppose his meaning is clearer like this "play, with the ball"), the game winning goal shows the spirit of National League Parkyball is alive and well in this squad.

https://i.redd.it/j3vcvn56nlfh1.gif

DKD wins the second ball on pure effort, rides the challenge, and then lets the quality (his pass and Sam's finish) take advantage of the opportunity.

But while that spirit lives in the squad, it is not the plan. Another good example here... Even when aggressive on the counter, they are disciplined about setting it up.

https://i.redd.it/1xy8qihnolfh1.gif

Hyam steps out to intercept the through ball, lays it off to Brunt (who had stepped into the midfield). Brunt knows that since he stepped up to mark a midfielder, there should be an option like Bailey making that striker run across the CB's face.

You can see that they are comfortable playing off each other, and moving the ball around. This starts with Thommo playing into the holding midfield, and ends with Broady doing the same, everything just flows and moves.

https://i.redd.it/wx96pjrpplfh1.gif

When facing a team with a talent gap, and Leeds has some real quality in their squad, you need to be comfortable defending. Look at how tight this defensive block is... That is a no-go area.

https://preview.redd.it/nn15vk82klfh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=f2f143cd63ef09ce0706278c3529c4eb2eb8cc9d

Parky complimented the squad's ability to cope with the elite level movement from Leeds. Consider for a moment that I told you that Wrexham were going to defend Leeds (and new signing, Harry Wilson) with Ashy and Rathbone holding and DKD and Barney in front of them. I expect I could name my betting odds on them holding a clean sheet. Here is that crew in action, like they have been doing this for decades.

If only Barney were better at riding challenges (plenty of \"pace\", not enough \"power\")

One more example. I expect Libby and DKD haven't played any minutes together before this match, and check this out.

https://i.redd.it/rq4z4vymslfh1.gif

DKD smoothly hands off his mark to Libby, and then tracks Jared Bogle (a very experienced PL wide player), shields him, and then bonus points for the overhead kick clearance in the goal mouth. I think those who were upset that Wrexham signed him in January (for less than they had rejected in the summer) might be reconsidering that soon.

Players

Cadz - Speaking of January narratives taking a beating, Cadz is making a case that he should stick around. Looking at that earlier run, and there were a couple of more "almost" runs, you can see that he could get there as a contributor.

Like this clip. He rides the challenge of a PL/international level CB, and then makes an elite finish. Doesn't try to force the shot by a keeper that stepped out, but uses his pace to get wide, and then picks the inside of the far post to beat the covering defender.

This is what they mean by \"pace and power\"

Statistically, he has been a very poor finisher to this point in his career, but that is common for young strikers, especially with his profile. Hope this is the sign of his finishing skill emerging.

LWBs - So, I will admit that I have underrated Thommo as a LWB, and suggested they need to get one in January, and even this summer.

After looking at the data and comparing him to other LBs in the Championship (no, not another wingback rant, I promise), I have come around to thinking that they aren't signing a LWB yet, because he's more than serviceable paired with Libby.

However, this latest crazy idea that he is better than Libby, let's slow down with that...

My notes are so full of nice Cacace plays that I have a hard time picking which is best. (It is almost like the guy just got back from the World Cup.) He bails out Burton's errant pass that was headed out of bounds by laying it off perfectly to DKD. Bogle gets away with shoving Doyle in the air, and Cacace back tracks to stifle the chance. However, I will pick two, first a defensive one:

Look at the smooth touches, in a place where a heavy touch is dangerous.

Also, Ashy makes a great play here, but look at this layoff by Libby back to Ashy while getting blasted by Bogle.

https://i.redd.it/h9sqwe2p3mfh1.gif

Broady - Nathan was a key part of the first two goals, and he was taking on the Windass role of dropping in to create plays. Here is a good example. Defender makes a good play to get a foot in and volley that, or Kieffer and Aaron James were in.

Look at how far he comes, and drags his defenders, as each hands him off. Space manipulation.

The metronome - It has been great to see Parky putting LOB, Ashy, and Ollie into the holding midfield. While I think LOB has confirmed to me that you can rotate him with Sheaf and James, it is good to see the faith in not only him, but also Ashy and Ollie. If I haven't shown enough examples of what patient but quick movement of the ball does for this squad already, here's another:

Focus on James and LOB, just controlling the play, being an outlet, cleaning things up

Aaron James - He is more than capable of defending like a wingback, even against high-end wide players like this. As to whether he has enough going forward, remains to be seen. He also had a nice diving block before their second goal, but on the ground he gave Longstaff a little time to shift and pick his shot. Longstaff is too good a player to get that kind of time in that space. Aaron is reported to be popular in the loan market, and I expect this only helped. Might see Max, Vyner or even Brunt out in this "solid defending RWB" setup. We did see it last year with Max.

https://i.redd.it/l4rb9js7bmfh1.gif

Brunt - He again shows that he has elite athleticism. I liked the pass I showed earlier, as he tends to favor carrying it himself, and I don't recall a lot of passes like that from him. Doyle and Vyner must be rubbing off on him.

The challenge with Brunt is that he might want to go out to get more minutes elsewhere, and this clip of him running down Dan James is going to get noticed. I promised no wingback rants, but when Dan James was rumored to Wrexham, the usual "we don't play with wingers" crowd started their braying (sorry, that isn't very nice). Well, here is Dan James playing RWB. A position he played multiple times last year for Leeds, including in his last PL start. I expect he is still too expensive, but it won't be because he can't play Issa Kabore's role for Wrexham.

https://i.redd.it/y6ljtjg2bmfh1.gif

Arthur - Saved a pen, that he conceded. Had some good distribution, and some real "uh oh" kicks. I don't want Arthur to go, but having had to confront the "why are they in the market for a keeper?" question, I just can't unsee the reasons. This pass stressed me, luckily there is a reason you have players like Matty James.

I have seen him make this pass before with no problem, even at an excellent level.

Barney - Still promised no wingback rants. I wasn't terribly surprised to see him get time in one of the 10s (wouldn't have been shocked to see him at the left sided 10). I had previously dismissed this idea, but that was due to the 10 being the secondary striker in the 3-5-2, and that role is too physical. However, last season we saw Broady would slide out on the wing and let Thomason move into the pocket. There is a configuration that allows you to get Barney's pressing pace, and his ability to use his crossing from wide, without having to worry about his defending as a wingback.

Here is my post third pre-season game stay/go guesses:

• DKD - staying and getting more minutes.
• Ashy - Parky will want him to stay, but will let him go out on loan. Maybe a "stay until January." Really might depend on Carabao Cup, too. If they go out before the deadline...
• A. James - Going out on loan.
• Cadz - Staying at least until January.
• Barney - Still going. I could see the argument for him as another tactical option in right-sided 10, I think Cadz would have that gig. Can use Ollie or LOB if you are really in need of pressing. He can do a job, elsewhere.
• Longman - Now leaning towards him going (at his request).
• Scarr - Still going. Last year of his deal. Needs to be playing for his market value.
• Arthur - Still going. No joy in saying that.
• Dobbo - Might be going? I think he has established himself as a Championship caliber CM, and might have a better opportunity elsewhere. He was Charlton's captain, after all.
• Brunt - Might be going? This, too, might be controversial given his talent, but he will be 26 in November. I just get a feeling that someone will make an offer he wants to take and Wrexham can't refuse.

Not literally, Leicy is alive and doing very well.

But the questions that we have all asked since Croix left: "Who will replace her?" and "What if Leicy gets injured (like she has in each of her previous seasons)?"

Spirit have recently signed two more holding midfielders and a CB, and with Rebe already playing more in the holding midfield, the plot has thickened. No creative 10 in sight.

So, I decided to dig into the data and ponder this question as a ground up tactics study to see if I could come up with some sort of an answer.

Here is what I got, feedback invited

Spirit builds from the back (duh)

This one hardly seems interesting or controversial, as it is neither unique to Spirit, nor even a little surprising. Other teams will often use their holding midfielders or drop a playmaker in to help break the press and get out of the defensive third, Spirit depends on their CBs (and the GK) to get up the pitch, and they will patiently move the ball around until they find their option.

The CBs lead the midfielders almost two to one in progressive passes, with Esme and Tara the highest, with MacIver third.

https://i.redd.it/eh8ex6peb9fh1.gif

Her best friend Sandy isn't afraid to pick out a pass either:

https://i.redd.it/g3v63e4lb9fh1.gif

The Spirit CBs will also move it up on the dribble, "Tara the Explorer" is a thing for a reason, but in case you need to see Esme bring it up:

https://i.redd.it/ip52615tb9fh1.gif

I will show some love by showing Tara's progressive passes chart for the season, to show that it isn't just Esme putting the ball up the pitch:

https://preview.redd.it/8dy7cphxb9fh1.png?width=1382&format=png&auto=webp&s=289956209f89f89542a20af4a98f4a716ca3ab77

In sum, the midfielders manipulate space in the middle of the pitch, the forwards stretch, and the CBs handle getting the ball up the pitch.

The wide overload is the chance engine

I am going to let my fellow Spirit fans on our worst kept secret - Trinity Rodman is our best player, and our best kept secret - Rose Kouassi is the most underrated player in the NWSL.

It is no surprise that Spirit structures their attack through these two, but let's also consider that the Spirit have five elite fullbacks (including Casey), and as the purists frequently note - our strikers can (and often do) play as wingers. Even our most traditional box dominating center forward - Gift, is more than comfortable out on the wing. This is a long way of saying, Spirit have a ton of talent depth in the wide attack.

Spirit use that talent to manufacture chances by having the winger and the fullback combine to create overloads, that is put a wide defender in a 2v1. They will often switch between holding the width (pulling the wide defender out), and attacking the channel (space between the wide defender and their adjacent centerback).

Working together to use the space to put the defenders in no win situations.

They will do this rotating the striker out, even:

Sofia's defender has to let her go, or Trin has a clean attack down the byline. Again, using the space .

All of this makes sense from a tactical standpoint. The most effective tactic in modern football is the compressed low block. It has a proven track record across the game of negating much larger differences in talent and athleticism than those between the top and bottom of the NWSL.

Spirit is following the principle that is being used against to the compressed low block - stop reflexively standing in spaces that can't get the ball - let them guard air.

One popular way to do this is to drop your striker / attacking midfielder out of their spaces to get them on the ball. (Will show an example of Spirit doing this later.)

The Spirit implement this principle by working the wide spaces left open, putting pressure on the edges of the block who are sacrificed support to deny those central areas.

Of course, everyone would prefer to play a transition game. After all, that is what the low block hopes to accomplish, pull the attack in close, and turn any mistakes into a rush up the pitch - with your players already headed that way.

While Spirit can win a "track meet soccer" match, they know this is an unsustainable path. They know that the 20 years of soccer tactics have taught that the elite teams preserve their sprints for high value situations.

Speaking of quick...

Work quickly in the box, don't dwell

The more touches you take in the box, the more time the defense has to crowd bodies in.

While Spirit is a high possession team, they clearly reject the "field tilt" metric (comparing box touches) as a sign of quality. There is a logic to it. Chopping the ball around three times before you bang a shot off a defender is not showing the big threat the stat can suggest.

We have all seen that Spirit has a real emphasis on immediate shots in the box - even if that results in a miss. I will respectfully censor Leicy's brutal lay up miss earlier this season (though she has buried a couple of those), instead I will show this piece of art by Claudinha:

https://i.redd.it/6hjdczm7f9fh1.gif

Of Spirit's 126 shots from inside the box:

• Half were first touch strikes
• Another 37% were carry-and-finish with no extra touch (and median carry about 12 yards) - think of Trin's recent goals
• Only the remaining 13% took a settling or a dribble touch

There is an argument that maybe they should be more deliberate with their shots, but your eyes don't deceive you, there is clearly a point of emphasis.

Pull it back to pull the defenders out

Another thing that seems to draw significant ire at times from Spirit fans (including this guy), is that they will get the ball in deep, and just decide to pull it back, including all the way to the midfield stripe, giving up a ton of ground. Like this:

https://i.redd.it/delmdodof9fh1.gif

This seems to be by design, and more than in a "Trin don't force it!" kind of way. I noticed it with Gotham when they were chasing a goal, same thing, they seemed to want to set their attacks from the midfield, to stretch the opposing block higher.

You can see how Spirit stretched the attacking half during that last twenty against Gotham.

You can see the dangerous angle they are getting at the goal. Those shots are getting through too. AKB had close to 2 in goals prevented in that match - which rates the likelihood that a shot placed in that spot scores. I would make the case that the Spirit's tactics and talent did the things to get all three points in that match - and AKB stole them.

You can see another version of the the concept here, if you just look at the "blob" of orange shirts:

Look at their block compress and Spirit stretch it back out.

An interesting tidbit: half of Spirit's passes in the final third go backwards.

The 10 is a space, not a position

Paige introduced us after the 4-1 drubbing of KCC to the Spirit mantra of "spaces, not positions"... I think all Spirit fans have heard it repeated more than a few times since.

Leicy might technically be the 10 on the lineup graphic, because she tends to press with the 9 in the defensive block, but she played the 8 most of the time last season, and I think there might be a bit of the rub about Croix's asking out, and making jabs about tactics, etc.

Spirit wants to dominate the middle of the pitch. They expect their center forwards to get stuck in, so they have no interest in a general purpose "float around and find plays to make" creative CAM who isn't able to rotate into the 6 or the 8 as pitch state demands.

https://preview.redd.it/eamirfaog9fh1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=55e5b7b1e62fbb93b864c459ab50645433ab951e

Here is an example of dropping the center forward back to help. You can see that Sofia has dropped out of her normal space, and Rose is ready to attack the channel. Note that Leicy has dropped deeper also to support Rebe, and provide an option to switch the pitch. She isn't up in the pocket, but trailing the play like an 8. You can also see that Trin is completely invisible to Racing's back line, she can pick her channel, and the defenders won't know until she is gone. (Side note: that they are turned and dropping is a testament to the fear that Rose inspires.)

We saw how this ends up:

Poor defender... what is it like to know Trin is back there, and you don't know where?

Seventeen different Spirit players have created a chance (shot), and no one accounts for more than 21% of the chances created. Reasonable people could argue that maybe they should be putting more of the offense in the hands of their better offensive talents (in fact, I did, at length), but there is clearly an intent in the system to broaden the attack surface.

In fairness to them, it is working better than I thought it could, and they had key injuries burden in each of the last two seasons, so I understand building broader resilience across the squad.

Speaking of spaces, not positions, look at Rebe sliding into the pocket and dealing:

https://i.redd.it/kr0t0bdph9fh1.gif

Spirit want to dominate the middle of the pitch

I think it was u/periqueblend who first described Spirit's defending as: "They are going to surround the ball, and then they are going to take it away." Well said. I was reminded of that when I was looking at this.

The sideline is a defender, of course.

You know what all three of the Spirit recent signings have in common (don't say Africa, that is cheating...)? They win the ball. (Deb and Tamara have that in common, too.)

Spirit do not seem to high press this year like they have in the past, and the stats bear that out. Middle of the league in high press percentage, PPDA in the final 40%, and mean defensive height. The numbers all point to a structured midblock.

Spirit is going to let you try to play through the thirds, and then they are going to surround the ball, and take it away, and even if you get through... Hal's not done. Hal's never done:

https://i.redd.it/3l8usy9ti9fh1.gif

One caveat, if you dare disrupt their attack, they love to counterpress (taking the ball back when you lose it). Here is Rebe giving one example of how much Spirit do not tolerate having their ball taken away:

https://i.redd.it/lrnisx7yi9fh1.gif

Worth noting that their average defensive height is score dependent:

• When they are level, they they play a little higher and outshoot their opponents by about 4 shots per 90. (about 11 to 7)
• When they are ahead, they drop back about four yards, and concede 11 shots per 90, same as they take when they are level.
• However, when they fall behind, they nearly double their shots per 90 to about 20.

So, that is what I came up with in looking through Spirits stats, and digging through some video clips to illustrate what I see.

In short:

• Spirit want their attackers to be flexible enough to play across all five forward spaces. They want their fullbacks able to play inside or outside of their winger and work wide overloads.
• They design for shots from anyone.
• Spirit want relentless midfielders who can dominate the midfield by winning the ball and moving it quickly.
• They use their CBs to drive the team up the pitch.

Note: My original writeup crashed, and I lost a bunch of stuff, stupid Reddit... But I tried my best to remember. Apologies if it is bit below your expectations.

Not really manhandled, after all it is just a friendly, and it was clear the ManU first teamers were just getting minutes in their legs, but it was a solid performance nonetheless. Good value for the goal. It was fun watching LOB nutmeg Harry Maguire and seeing Smudge score against his old academy.

Up Next

In Tampa, against Leeds on Saturday. Wrexham back in the USA. Insert joke here about Wrexham returning to home turf - as fans of other clubs will certainly jeer. I will kick it off: "Short away day for Disney FC, only an hour or so ride."

Parky

A lot will see the score and think, "Parky put them in a low block, and they nicked one late against the their subs." However, this was quite the opposite. Parky had them pressing high and making ManU work hard to get up the pitch. In their first preseason game, ManU just wasn't going to force things. They played their system, but didn't press their athletic advantage. Mozza was being teased at the half for his Roy Keane-like rant about the lack of sprints in the first half from ManU.

Today was a good demonstration of what Parky means when he says "there is more in this squad." Without three of their most talented players available (Windass, Sheaf, and Cacace), you could see the execution of the system they wanted to implement last season, but kept having costly breakdowns. Here is ManU trying to build out of the back, with an experienced PL squad who knows all of their keys and checks. Wrexham answers each. Players flow and support. Even the breakdown of the quick counter doesn't damage the structure.

https://i.redd.it/6swm4m1ee3eh1.gif

A number of transition goals against Wrexham happened in the below pattern. CB pushes up, and the ball goes through the gap they left. Here LOB shows how that exchange is supposed to happen. I can show you examples of the CDM dropping off, and the CB having to make a lung buster trying to get back.

https://i.redd.it/7hhhwjgce3eh1.gif

Additionally, last season Wrexham frequently would give the ball they just won immediately back to the other team, by kicking it out of bounds, or hoofing it back up the pitch. Too many panic clearances, not enough patience. Here is how it is supposed to look, against a PL team that knows how to counter press.

Yes, Dan Scarr with the spinning long ball

Additionally, they were solid in support of each other. When one player misses their pressing assignment, the structure flows and supports. Even when they lost the ball to the ManU counter press, they still kept patient and got the team up the pitch.

https://i.redd.it/lei00ps7e3eh1.gif

These are all signs of a well structured and executed effort. There were still areas that need work, specifically I don't really like Alex Moore and Barney conducting passing drills over the heads of Kieffer, DKD and Ollie, but I think we all expect that has a recruitment solution in progress. Given the quality of players they have been pursuing, I understand the delays.

For all of the Harry Amass talk, I have to admit I wasn't terribly impressed. Half a game and all, but not sure I will hold it against Parky if they go with Libby and Thommo instead.

Players

Ashfield - I liked seeing Parky trust Harry with a shift in the holding midfield. I think he projects as an 8, not a 10 or a forward. He has the core skills to be a deep lying playmaker and showed well managing his role around both boxes.

https://i.redd.it/tlrv6ylxd3eh1.gif

Aaron James - Back in L2, Aaron got one start at RWB against Salford, and then he played RB on loan with Warrington Town two levels down in the National League North. But he has largely been a CB with Wrexham, playing LCB and RCB. So, I was glad to see him out there, and despite his only cross being poor, he did well handling the defensive responsibilities and triggering the press to force a turnover.

https://i.redd.it/psl4yz40e3eh1.gif

Barney - It is not a great sign that Aaron James got the first shift against the ManU first team over him. It is also disappointing that after a season in L1 and the Championship he is not comfortable enough with the left foot.

https://i.redd.it/utgnzc44e3eh1.gif

He could slip this ball to DKD, or make the big switch (after doing great work to beat the defenders), but it is such a limitation for him.

Broady - You saw the dribble transition he has where he was fouled (Parky was livid apparently), and yes, I think he needs to pull the trigger quicker instead of chopping the ball again.

(mini rant activated: I know the constant refrain that he is a winger not a CAM, blah blah blah. Respectfully, nonsense. You are seeing inside forward / inverted winger / CAM habits. Dribbling in the half-spaces, between two defenders, chopping left and right. A winger uses pace and width to get around, beat a 1v1, pull the trigger on a cross or shot. Longman and Barnett are career wingers, as was Macca. Ipswich fans will tell you Broady isn't a wide winger.)

Getting past the rant, I do think this his season was uneven last season, but this was because he was shifted in playing as a CAM in the left half space, and a secondary striker, that floats across all three playing off the 9. Windass has played both in his career, and in his last Club that was his primary gig. Broadhead had some good moments doing both (remember his header goal off Kieffer's touch line cross?), but he had a lot to take on in this system (as he admitted). That was a long diatribe to set up the below.

https://i.redd.it/sjwsav6sd3eh1.gif

Mbuemo slides inside to see if he can drag his market (Thommo) with him and open up Yoro out wide, or create a central overload to break through the middle. Broady drops and tracks him until he hands him off, and then slides back over. This whole sequence shows the complexity of adjustments in their defensive structure, but how it works when executed.

Cadz - I thought he looked really good today. Showed the athleticism to match the level, and he was playing a little faster and smarter. I do think he still has some development left in his attacking/finishing, but that is well within the growth curve of a player at this point in his career.

https://i.redd.it/8c8cke7qd3eh1.gif

Just takes one touch too many trying to make the perfect finish. I expect it will come.

DKD - In the last couple of matches he looks a lot more like the player who tormented us in L1/L2, or I saw play against Liverpool last season with Barnsley. Playing freer, more instinctive, quicker, and more creative. He had a backheel to Alex Moore, chipped a ball to himself, got himself in to force a good save by Vitek. I am more convinced had he been needed last Spring, he would have produced. Given his experience playing both types of 10s (CAM / secondary striker) and the 9, I really should have expected he would have a good sense for picking up the tactical nuance required of him. I liked his effort here.

https://i.redd.it/ac1ej1ggd3eh1.gif

That is the play of a man who has had to fill in the gaps for a lot of teammates.

(Side note: I still expect Cadz to go out on loan, and I expect there will be serious offers for bigger roles that DKD may want to accept and free up his SCR space and maybe more. Also, no Longman today, he fits that description even more.)

Thomason - I will admit that my suspicion of his ability to play LWB continues to subside. Mbuemo is a tough task. I think he will always lose some 1v1s, but that is every wide player. He actually had pretty good defensive stats relative to the rest of the players at his position in the Championship. I will never understand how a guy with his level of danger on corners has such trouble with keeping his deep crosses on the pitch. What I really like is that he has that CM mindset, no panic, just fight.

https://i.redd.it/9z18aencd3eh1.gif

GKs - Both were who we thought they were. Ward had a couple of saves that looked uncomfortable for him too (not just me). Of course, Arthur's kicking was inconsistent again, and you could see his frustration:

https://i.redd.it/jsm04xhad3eh1.gif

LOB - I thought he was great in the holding midfield again. I have wanted another CM, but this could be a sign that he is finally settling in well there as the partner to Sheaf and James. He certainly has the skills for the position. Plus, you got to love this nutmeg of Harry Maguire.

https://i.redd.it/48y0er36d3eh1.gif

You knew that had to be in the writeup.

I am in the same preseason form that Wrexham are in... Given that clipping up every player who played will exceed the number of images I can put in a post, I think this might be a little more free form than usual.

I think I am on the record that I think Windass and Sheaf are Wrexham's two best players (with Doyle in a very close third). So, as far as I am concerned, you can wrap those two in bubble wrap until Cardiff and get no stick from me. I got what I wanted, to see players we see very little in the hope of understanding where they may fit in this year's squad. But to those with today's hot takes about "this squad isn't a top eight squad" - you think? They're missing 23 goals and 12 assists, plus your Captain (and central CB) and your best midfielder might have something to do with that. They're missing a third of their overall goal total, a lot of teams would look like a relegation side missing that kind of firepower.

Wisla Krakow looked like a solid squad, but my sense is that they would be a high end L1 side or a lower table Championship side (their league is basically between the two in Opta rankings). Of course, it is a friendly, so tough to make too much of it. No decisions made on the first friendly, but in my head, I think the players who looked good warrant a little more consideration, and those who had less of an impact probably headed towards a loan. Specifics upcoming...

Up Next

Manchester United in Finland next Saturday. Hopefully, they don't put any of our players in the hospital this time.

Parky

No disrespect to Mark and Mozza, who did a fine job today, and I imagine that when they did their pregame prep they saw Moore / Cadz and thought "two strikers / 3-5-2"... With their need to constantly dialogue, combined with the fluid nature of our attacking shape, it would make it hard to pick out in real time. Cadz was playing as a 10. Here is the classic 3-2-5 build shape played most of last season.

https://preview.redd.it/sxltuqk6ymch1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=dd239544c43955a5b303fd132ece45106ed00b7b

I have highlighted Cadz sitting in the right pocket (the white space). Ironically, this is where Cadz played in his last game for Wednesday - against Wrexham. You will also note LOB and James in the double pivot.

Of course, someone might suggest that DKD was playing a high 8, and the attacking shape would have him there anyway, but here is the midblock, with the box again - DKD and Cadz still in the 10s with LOB and Matty still holding.

https://preview.redd.it/43qk6p73ymch1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=3e743e347bd0e418331c2f4ead3dc2fdc7c614b0

Finally, Here is their classic 5-4-1 low block.

A lot of space between those lines, that will need some tuning.

Doesn't mean Wrexham didn't play with a couple of interesting wrinkles. When Wisla dropped into a back five, Wrexham answered by pushing into this 3-1-6 attacking shape. I highlighted Aaron James (a CB sitting in the pocket!)

https://preview.redd.it/g8yppzoyxmch1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=da82592f996df3b9de36cba26ff2f9ecb376c8ca

They also had this interesting thing where Rathbone would drop into the backline to get on the ball.

See how it \"unpacks\" that tight midblock that was cutting off him and Dobbo?

I liked seeing this - sending Vyner on an overlapping run. Max did this a bunch in L1, and Doyle loves making that run. Being effective in a back five relies on using your wide center backs in more dynamic ways, especially to pull apart tight defensive blocks.

Longman needs to slip the ball to him here. That defender has no chance of closing him down.

Overall, Wrexham needs to scheme more chance creation this season. They had amazing finishing last season, but well below average chance creation (and they lost on of their better creators in Kabore). These kinds of patterns of play hopefully will help with that.

Along those lines, let's talk about Alex Moore.

Me: Parky is playing a CM at LWB! Unbelievable. Thommo is such a unique player to be able to bail us out when our depth is struggling.

Parky:

https://preview.redd.it/h1cduxqqxmch1.png?width=600&format=png&auto=webp&s=8ab5bda12b4fe0a9a28ee3da2aabaf558bcc0925

Parky: "They called me crazy when I played wingers as wingbacks. See..."

https://preview.redd.it/vtnpb0e33nch1.png?width=496&format=png&auto=webp&s=c482eab6d0e511156ec94c0e37f542d8a49f59d8

Mark confused Alex Moore for one of the academy lads (or perhaps Tom Kelly, who was a LB in Moore's class and no longer with the club). Alex played CM against Wellington last summer, and during his loan at Colwyn Bay. His academy player of the year award last year referred to him as midfielder. Physically strong, technically proficient, and press resistant CDM. Pretty much the book on Thommo, too, if we are keeping track. (NOTE: Parky said postgame that Alex did well in an unfamiliar position.)

No, I don't think Alex Moore is going to be playing minutes at LWB this season, but I am increasingly convinced that Thomason will be staying there, and they aren't bothered about getting another LWB. I think they figure they might get one if an upgrade presents, but to me it does not seem like a priority concern. There is a tactical theory they are working, and I haven't pulled it apart yet enough to hazard a guess.

I think they attacked pretty heavily up the left side in the first half, and up the right side in the second. Seems pretty consistent with my earlier comments with Doyle on the left in the 1st and Vyner on the right in the 2nd. The two of them together might get interesting.

Overall, more crosses, long diagonals and speculative lobs today than I would have liked, but I think with such mix and match lineups and this early in the season, it is unrealistic for me to expect those quick triangles they used last season.

Players

I liked seeing LOB and Ollie playing in the holding midfield. I feel like they have more to offer there, especially if the Dobbo exit rumors turn out to be accurate. Fundamentally, Wrexham has been linked with at least three CMs at various points this summer - Bardeli, Galbraith, Amane, etc. (more, if you get into the wilder rumors). Seems clear that at least one CM will come in, and it helps that LOB and Ollie can play all four CM positions. However, Dobbo would be a specialist in this squad, and he can do better than that elsewhere.

Alex Moore looked good today, especially playing out of position at LWB. Won a bunch of headers, was solid defending, and made a few nice runs into the box. He even cleaned up a couple of Longman's overhit crosses. However, I liked this play especially:

Ollie plays him into the teeth of a press trap. Alex doesn't get fancy, just receives with his left foot on the turn and forces his marker to foul him. (Should have been a card too.)

Need Kieffer to knock the rust off his shooting boots, but he did look in good box defending and in the air.

Lee looked good also. Mozza said that Lee told Doncaster's poor pitch really didn't allow them to play the way they wanted (and Lee was regularly a 9 for them!), which is interesting validation of the Parkinson hoofball thesis (He thinks you shouldn't design your tactics to rely on clever passing sequences on poor lower league pitches). My Lee assessment remains the same - good enough to be a rotational player for Wrexham, but too good with too few years left in his career to settle for that role.

I appreciate Barney looking to shoulder charge this deflection into the goal, but I think DKD had pretty good handle on taking this shot until he got blasted. Overall, I thought DKD was very good today and makes me feel more comfortable that he could work solid minutes in the CAM rotation. Not only was this quality technique, but he probably had the best shot of the match from outside the box, and his ability to flick on at his height comes in handy.

https://i.redd.it/gkiry4soench1.gif

Scarr is reportedly wanted by some clubs, and in the last year of his contract, he is likely moving on. I like the guy. I appreciate his service to the club, and I like some of the things he can do, but I don't like how he fits into this setup. Hope he gets a great long contract with another club, and wish him the best of luck. Today, I didn't love the slow pass he put into Matty James, or getting caught ball watching up the pitch forcing Doyle to bail him out. But this is probably the biggest reason why the Championship isn't for him:

When that ball is released, Scarr is not only two yards deeper, but in his way. The gets runs around him and still opens that big a lead in that short time.

GKs - I feel pretty talked out about this topic. Everyone has entrenched themselves on this, but the links to four or five first choice keeper candidates make clear that Arthur is leaving, Ward will be #2, and no amount of relitigating the issue will change that. Arthur had a nice penalty save today (yes, I know the "upgrade Arthur" caucus will say that the pen is poor, and close enough that Arthur should have smothered it. They aren't necessarily wrong, but I am just so tired of the back and forth...)

https://i.redd.it/o2px7lhvnnch1.gif

Wingbacks - It isn't great when two career CMs had the best wingback performances on the day. I have seen Longman have days like this, and recover from them to play well - so might be rust. Barney was largely invisible to me during this game. [DKD: Yeah, you're telling me!?"] I would hope those who suggested that losing Kabore was no big deal and Longman would be an upgrade might be reconsidering. Certainly the "Longman is a better defender" claim took another blow. (There was more than this.)

https://i.redd.it/xqkv74qatnch1.gif

Hardie - Traveled but didn't play today. Saw him in his warm-up kit, etc. He is coming back from an Achilles injury and there were also players (DKD, Cadz, Ashy, Lee) more in need of the minutes, but it seems very possible he is being protected for a move.

Young pros - Ashy had an off day, but flashed some stuff. Moore might have gotten more of a look for first team minutes. Aaron James injury was the worst luck for him, but he looks recovered. None of the others got minutes. Will be interesting to see if they keep another club developed player as a hedge for a Max injury. But you need someone you are willing to put on the pitch if needed, seems all three fit that description. No, Cadz doesn't count.

Brunt - Thought he had a good game. Looks back to normal with his athleticism. I would have liked to see him in the middle of the back three. I don't know that he can spend the season being buried behind Doyle and there just isn't a good argument for sitting Doyle to play him. He should have scored this.

https://i.redd.it/94tc1rwnunch1.gif

All in all, I feel like I have covered the major takeaways from squad. Feel free to ask about anyone you think I might have missed.

https://preview.redd.it/9hgccv0o048h1.png?width=1319&format=png&auto=webp&s=8dd23f93fb4b307e21c7a1c4c4108a9c40c502fd

As to whether he would be Wrexham's Director of Football, or just another executive role, who knows, but he fills an interesting gap in the PL young player area.

Could also represent an an interesting response to feeling their recruiting capacity (heck, even just negotiating capacity) might have given them issues in the January window.

Being able to attract PL loans often requires having relationships across the PL loan manager network, which this guy would have. Takes a long time to build those, so even better if you could just buy them.

Speaking of loan managers, looks like Wrexham is getting their own:

https://careers.wrexhamafc.co.uk/job/896229

(No, I don't think Nickson would take this job. He is an exec, and this is a management/coaching role.)

Some people seemed to enjoy my January window thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/WrexhamAFC/comments/1pxweyw/it_takes_three_windows_to_be_competitive_january/

I was asked me for another one, so I figured I would try to layout how I see this upcoming window. Don't feel obligated to read it or reiterate points you have made elsewhere - I understand.

The basics

The window runs from June 15th to September 1st. At the end of the window, clubs must submit a 25 player squad list (never say roster!).

I think of the summer window of really having three phases:

1. Unfinished business - Has already opened. Starts with release lists, signing players with release clauses, players coming back from loan that will not be reintegrated into the squad (loaned again or bought out). Wrexham examples: Mullin, Lee, Hardie?, Coady?, Ashfield?, Barney?
2. Squad assessment window - Preseason training starts for clubs and they start evaluating how players are fitting with some of the new players, how they are handling increased roles, etc. Wrexham examples: DKD, Brunt, Cadz, Thomason (as a CDM), and the young pros like James, Moore, Owen, etc.
3. Value swapping window - Season starts, window gets closer to closing. As decisions are finally made and deals are done (or fall through), players who can make a bigger impact elsewhere want out and clubs want to convert the value of players no longer in their plans into cash.

Of course, none of this is etched in stone with clear lines, but it tends to give a sense for how the window progresses.

Patience - the dynamic behind the window

One of the core challenges as a fan (and I suffer it too) is patience. I remember fans raging at the lack of signings during the trip down under last season, suggesting they would never have a squad capable of competing in the Championship and there wasn't enough time left to improve the squad.

Shaun Harvey noted that patience is part of the design in his July 2025 interview on the Fozcast:

>"Sometimes if you're patient and you're prepared to wait, and you've got enough confidence that there's other players in the market you could sign if you don't get this one, then that's what allows you to achieve it."

He later told the FiD guys in their invaluable post-window interview that Sheaf, Doyle, and Kabore were players who simply were unavailable early in the window.

He had explained the negotiator's mindset to Fozzie in that interview:

>"Remember that the people doing these deals are humans — I'm one of them — and you always want to be able to turn to your bosses and say 'I am 100% satisfied that we have got the best possible deal.' I don't see how, if a deal is concluded on the first minute of the first day, you could actually turn around and justify that you have taken everything into consideration. If the transfer ends up being a success, that's your job. If the transfer ends up being a failure, we need a scapegoat."

Is it fair to suggest that this patience cost them when they admitted that a lack of time prevented getting a couple of RWB deals (i.e. Toure, Ebosele) in January? Absolutely.

However, when it comes to complaints about that, I think that Shaun Harvey and dead owls don't give a hoot.

Last Summer

With all of that in mind, here is when last summer's signings happened.

• Ryan Hardie 16 Jun 2025
• Danny Ward 1 Jul 2025
• [Wrexham on Australia / New Zealand tour]
• Liberato Cacace 18 Jul 2025
• George Thomason 21 Jul 2025
• Josh Windass 23 Jul 2025
• Lewis O'Brien 24 Jul 2025
• Conor Coady 1 Aug 2025
• Kieffer Moore 5 Aug 2025
• Nathan Broadhead 14 Aug 2025
• Callum Doyle 21 Aug 2025
• Dominic Hyam 1 Sep 2025 (deadline day)
• Ben Sheaf 1 Sep 2025 (deadline day)
• Issa Kaboré 1 Sep 2025 (deadline day)

Most people, myself included, would be surprised to see half as many signings this summer.

However, this does adjust based on players wanting to leave for a bigger role. For example, I don't think CBs are on the shopping list, but if Scarr or Brunt think their career is better served going some place to get more minutes that will change.

Key rule: Pay attention to the types of players getting linked with Wrexham - best insight as to the shopping list.

Squad Cost Ratio Budget

The new Squad Cost Ratio rules go into effect this summer. I don't want to derail this post there are plenty of resources out there, but the quick way of describing it:

Squad costs (wages, amortized transfer fees, bonuses, etc.) plus up to £15m in owner investment cannot be more than 85% of your club's revenue.

I estimate that Wrexham's current squad cost is roughly £35m, based off of the wage bill from L1 with an increase related to signing 13 players at various degrees of Championship wages, and adding the amortization costs, agent fees, etc.

Several outlets have reported Wrexham's revenues this year at around £48.5m. 85% is £41m. If the owners inject £15m allowed under the rules, 85% of that brings like 13m more.

So... £41m + £13m - £35m = £19m available. (guesstimate)

Remember, the transfer fees are spread out over the life of the contract (up to five years), so you sign a guy to a three year deal at an average Championship wage (£15k/week) with a £3m transfer fee would mean £1m + £780k in wages = £1.78m in SCR cost.

Of course, selling or loaning players can recover their squad cost. Tough to assume much there, though, as a loan can range from saving you no money to making you money (wages covered plus a loan fee).

Important: While this system favors Wrexham more than quite a few clubs, they still have significant constraints - not only under SCR, but also the Kop build, the training building at Colliers, the improvements to The Rock, the new pitches at the Darland Academy facility, etc. still demand money. Also, Parky did not spend all of his transfer budget in the last two windows. The transfer committee constrains budgets for each signing. Failing to hit Plan A target can mean cheaper Plan B target.

All signs point to not only fewer signings but less spending. Though, they shocked us last summer!

Outgoings?

Here's who Wrexham have under contract:

First team (23) - Okonkwo, Ward, Doyle, Hyam, Scarr, Vyner, Brunt, Cleworth, Cacace, Longman, Sheaf, O'Brien, Thomason, Dobson, Rathbone, M. James, Broadhead, Windass, DKD, K. Moore, Smith, Barnett, Burton

U21 (11, don't count against the squad limit) - Ashfield, Cadamarteri, A. James, A. Moore, Owen, Chesworth, Clayton, Cruise, Edwards, McTweed, Rees

Returning from loan (7) - Coady, Hardie, Mullin, Lee, TOC, Faal, Revan

That puts 30 senior players under contract with three U21s with EFL experience.

Probably going back out via loan or transfer - All of the loan returning players, Burton, Barnett, and most of the young pros.

Depending on preseason / signings (includes player preference) - Okonkwo, Cadz, DKD, Brunt, Longman, Scarr, Ashfield, A. James.

Mullin had two failed L1 loans. Wouldn't be surprised if he gets the same "paid off to an ambassador" deal that Ollie Palmer got. He might go to L2 and light it up. There are a lot of options close to home in L2.

Lee did very well in L1. Suspect he fetches a fee like Marriott.

TOC did well at Posh before he got injured. Might fetch a small fee for him also, or at least no subsidy on the wages.

Coady was well received at Charlton, even wearing the armband in his final match there, could go back. I suspect this is about finding the right deal.

Hardie spent his time a Huddersfield injured. No idea about him.

Barney is almost certainly going out to get minutes elsewhere. Hope he gets a good gig in L1 and lights it up.

Incomings

Right Wingback - They were actively trying to buy one in January, and that was before Kabore's return to Man City created an enormous chance creation hole in a squad that needs to create more chances. Here is their rankings in the Championship in the relevant areas:

• Final-third passes: 13th
• Touches in box: 23rd
• Shots: 19th
• Shots on target: 16th
• xG: 12th

Terry Devlin might show up as unfinished business from January. It seems circumstances prevented it in January that no longer hold, and Parky is known to go back for players he missed out on. As Shaun described it to FiD in the post-January window interview.

>"He's a player that Wrexham have long admired, and Phil's admired, but generally — again, not a deal for now. And some of this isn't necessarily down to the money that we were prepared to spend; as we've always discussed in these podcasts, it's the other club's ability to be able to replace that player and what the negative impact it might have on the end of their season. We said earlier — you're busy if you're in the top six and you're busy if you're in the bottom six. Well, Portsmouth in that particular instance want to make sure that they're a Championship club next season. And I don't think any amount of money we'd have been prepared to pay for Terry Devlin — that we thought represented value — would have got the deal done in the end."

However, Terry Devlin (95th percentile defensive contributions, 37th in chance creation with 1 assist) is not a like for like replacement for Issa Kabore (team highs with 10.2 progressive carries/90, 150 crosses, and 8 assists). Devlin has more position flexibility (having originally been a CM), but way less attacking skill.

It is very likely that it will be a "Devlin and" approach, which can be tricky, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Devlin locked down early in the window, and the Issa successor (maybe even Issa himself) coming late in the window. Gives Devlin a chance to find a role in the squad before bringing in a competitor.

Two other names from January who might be back: Idrissa Toure, and Festy Ebosele - more Issa like players

High upside young striker - The Cherif deal fell through in January, but I expect they will still be looking to find another player that fits his profile - a highly athletic U21 player who projects to be a Top 5 league striker in the next 2-3 years. This is all scouting network and I wouldn't begin to hazard a guess on a name.

The core takeaway is that it will likely be controversial as it will be a lot of money for an unproven player who will compete with Sam Smith, but isn't obviously going to vault Wrexham to the PL this season or next. Kieffer moves into Fletch's "closer" role, which should hopefully keep him fresh through the whole season.

Side note: When it comes to deals like this one, we will see a lot gaudy numbers that include the add-ons, etc. Like Cherif was around £4m in actual money, not the £19m that got tossed about.

Cadz is not this profile, but he still has some upside for development. More of an upside bargain, than the statement risk of Cherif. Her is one to watch in the summer.

First choice Goalkeeper - Don't shoot the messenger. I don't love it myself, as I tend to think that while Arthur didn't have a great first season in the Championship (including shot stopping, which is his calling card), he could still develop further. Though, the tough thing about GKs is that we see so little of their work compared to the staff.

We can't ignore that he hasn't signed an extension, which is a sign that either the staff, Arthur, or both don't think their future lies together.

Signing Danny Ward last summer, starting Ward at Southampton and benching Arthur for the run-in, made the rumors about Wrexham interest in Anthony Patterson seem inevitable.

There is also a theory that there are more PL-level GKs than there are competitive minutes to offer them, so following Coventry with Rushworth last year and Burnley with Trafford the year before is the real opportunity for Wrexham to make its minutes available to an elite keeper who needs them.

Central Midfield - This seems crazy at first glance. Sheaf, James, Dobson, LOB, Rathbone, Broadhead, Windass, DKD, and Thomason with Ashfield developing, and Vyner, Coady, and Cleworth capable of deputizing. It seems like they have a ton of CM depth, even if they play four of them at a time (two CAMs and two CDMs).

But let's peel that back a bit:

• There is no sign that Thomason is returning to CDM. They did not sign another LWB in January, nor is there any noise they are looking now. Might consider that the links to Devlin and Ethan Galbraith are also two players who can play CM or FB. I am not prepared to go all "inverting fullbacks" and "back fours", but there does seem to be something they like tactically.
• Wrexham were linked with Enzo Bardeli (who has since signed elsewhere).
• We all saw the run-in. Missing Sheaf and James provided a painful and obvious lesson in how much worse this squad works without them. Numbers support that too, when they start together +0.35 xG difference, and -0.64 when we have neither. Hardly a surprise that Wrexham earned over 2 ppg with both of them in the XI. (auto promotion pace)
• Rumors that Hull wants to buy LOB with their PL money and transfer embargo ended.
• Links about Ashfield going out (loan/transfer), though I expect he wasn't ready to contribute in the Championship yet.

So, I think the numerous fans wanting another Sheaf/James quality midfielder are well justified, and the links with Ethan Galbraith and Enzo Bardeli indicate that the staff have come to similar conclusions.

But wait, there is more to this...

Parkyball self scout

As has been documented in many interviews, every summer the staff assesses the squad, and develops a season plan that they deliver to the Board. This guides the transfer strategy, including the transfer budget.

In hindsight, the past changes seem easy to see: NL1 (Big physical striker), NL2 (better playmaking from the eights - Lee/Cannon), L2 (better ball playing CBs - Max/TOC and a metronome six - Evans), L1 (a 10 who could drop in and facilitate transition - JRod).

This season were as much of a tactical overhaul as a squad overhaul.

Using Opta statistics... In L1, only Charlton was more direct than Wrexham, but this season few teams were more patient than Wrexham. Wrexham played through the thirds, and to the feet of its attackers more than ever before - your eyes didn't deceive you. To be clear, they still played long, and crossed from out wide, etc. - everyone does that, it is the relative amount that changed.

https://preview.redd.it/ndndm415a65h1.png?width=2604&format=png&auto=webp&s=9f55e5fa725fc1f20f0ec99b88f106a80bc6ad37

Parky said repeatedly as much, especially on MDL. He wanted to the squad to play "with the ball" more and recognize the opportunities to go direct when they were available.

Of course, a style is neither good nor bad on its own, because it is the results that matter.

"We conceded too many goals" is a bit misleading

We have all heard the stats about Wrexham's poor defensive record, which leads to demands for CB upgrades, etc.

However, I think that goes a bit far. Outside our brutal start to the season, the CBs didn't really change between the periods of strong and poor defensive results. What changed was our CDMs. Not because they were poor defenders, quite the opposite, Dobbo is a very good defender.

To my mind, and I expect the staff assessment says the same, Wrexham defends better by controlling more of the ball (not exactly an earth shattering revelation). That involves better press resistance, particularly against the counter press.

When you play with wingbacks, you need to be able to control the ball enough to let them get forward, and alternative execute proper defensive positioning to break up opposing transitions to let the wingbacks get back.

Here's Parky in his post-match interview after Coventry on Halloween.

>There's a lot of talk about how, you know, great they've done, which they have done, but we had to stand up to that tonight and I thought we limited them to not a lot considering the stats that they've been producing over the course of the season.

But as I always say, that we weren't here tonight just to stop Coventry, we were here to play and you know we got the ball into our two midfield players and they controlled a lot of that game. I thought Matty and Sheafy were brilliant tonight.

Here is Ben giving a quick demonstration of what I mean by a CDM addressing both sides of this midfield control problem:

There are people who suggest replacing this guy...

Concerns about relying on finishing quality too heavily

I have already talked about their relatively limited chance creation, but I think what is lost in the happiness with Wrexham's goal scoring this season is that they overperformed their expected goals on their shots by over twelve goals. Average finishing of those chances and Wrexham's +4 GD turns in closer to -8 GD, which is the performance of a bottom half of the table club.

Now, to be fair, finishing talent is an element of squad quality, and having seen all of Wrexham's goals, a number are reflective of the talent of the shooter being well above average. Or as Mozza says, "TECH-NIQUE!"...

However, almost all of that 12 goal difference belongs to two players - Josh Windass (+6.95) and Ollie Rathbone (+4.94).

There are also a bunch of caveats about game state, home/away, opponents, early season slump, etc. etc., but fundamentally this chart shows where Wrexham will be looking to go.

Need to move that dot to the right

Now sure, you are will say that Hull got promoted, but I will note that if Dan Scarr doesn't drop his mark, or Josh Windass hits his open look, Hull isn't even in the playoffs. So, I am sure that Wrexham will seek to improve this.

How? Setting aside filling the Kabore gap, it is all down to the central midfield, just like they help prevented recycled attacks at your box, they create more in your opponents box. The more I am forced to drop my CAMs in to help the CDMs progress the ball, the more isolated my striker is against the opposing backline.

Do I think a lot of this improves with a full preseason and a healthy squad? I do.

Do I think they make the playoffs playing the squad they rolled out the day after the January window closed? I do.

We saw the patterns of play required to close these gaps - just not consistently enough.

But their quality was brittle, and it showed down the stretch.

What am I watching as the window approaches?

Any January deals, particularly Devlin, that were basically waiting to be announced as both sides are basically now ready to move.

Does Ethan Galbraith's rumored release clause exist and does it put Wrexham in play?

Does Wrexham try to scoop any buy options that clubs can't afford to execute?

Any of the Championship quality free transfers (Neil, Riedewald, Cirkin, Burns, etc.) in the mix for Wrexham?

Who does Wrexham move before preseason camp opens?