Phil Parkinson has explained the absence of key duo Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin as Wrexham seeks a third promotion in as many seasons.
After spearheading back-to-back promotions, the pair have struggled to replicate their past success in League One. With just six goals between them this season, Wrexham have moved in a different direction, bringing in fresh attacking options to boost their promotion push.
Mullin and Palmer’s Decline
Since his arrival in July 2021, Mullin has become a club legend, netting over 100 goals for Wrexham. His goals were crucial in the club’s rise from the National League to League One.
Palmer, signed in January 2022, complemented Mullin perfectly with his physical presence and hold-up play, though his goal tally—42 in 149 appearances—was far lower.
However, both have struggled to find form at a higher level. Their six goals in League One have not met expectations, and their playing time has diminished significantly.
Palmer has been left out of Wrexham’s last six league squads, while Mullin has missed five and remained an unused substitute in the recent draw against Mansfield Town.
New Arrivals Take Centre Stage
In January, Wrexham signed Sam Smith from Reading and Jay Rodriguez from Burnley, signalling a shift in their attacking strategy. Both players have been given starting roles, with manager Phil Parkinson backing them to lead the line.
Despite the duo’s limited goal return—Smith has scored once, while Rodriguez is yet to find the net—Parkinson remains confident in their abilities.
“Playing to Jay’s feet, Sam is good at stretching it, but also their tactical awareness without the ball was brilliant,” he said.
“Jay has obviously played at the top level, and the detail in the way he presses and covers space is brilliant, and it just helps the midfield so much.”
Parkinson on Squad Depth
With Smith and Rodriguez now leading the attack, Mullin and Palmer face an uncertain future at the Racecourse Ground. When asked about the situation, Parkinson pointed to the club’s growing competition for places.
“We’ve got a lot of strikers and it is difficult to keep everybody involved,” he admitted. “We’ll keep assessing it and looking at training all the time, and pick the team and the bench accordingly.”
With Wrexham chasing automatic promotion, the decision to favour new signings over established club heroes is a bold one. Whether Mullin and Palmer can force their way back into contention remains to be seen.
Writer’s View
Wrexham’s decision to sideline Mullin and Palmer is a testament to the club’s ambition, but it’s a gamble. While their new strikers offer fresh qualities, the lack of goals remains a concern. If results falter, Parkinson may need to rethink his selection—especially with two proven goalscorers waiting in the wings.
