Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has reassured strikers Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer that they remain part of his plans, despite their recent omission from matchday squads.
Mullin and Palmer sidelined
The arrival of Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez in January has significantly reshaped Wrexham’s attacking options, with the duo starting every League One fixture since their arrival. This has left Mullin and Palmer—who formed a formidable partnership in Wrexham’s back-to-back promotions—out of the picture in recent weeks.
With Steven Fletcher and Jack Marriott often preferred on the substitutes bench, Mullin, who has netted an incredible 110 goals since joining the club in 2021, and Palmer have found themselves watching from the sidelines.
Parkinson urges patience
Despite their lack of game time, Parkinson has urged both players to stay prepared, insisting that opportunities could arise at any moment.
“We’ve had three strikers on the bench a couple of times but recently I’ve gone with two because Elliot Lee has also been on the bench, and he has played up front as well,” Parkinson said.
“The lads out of the team like Mulls and Ollie, who have both made significant contributions for us, they’re right with the group training hard every day and waiting for the moment because you never know when that moment is going to come.”
Parkinson highlighted how Lewis Brunt took his chance when called upon in Wrexham’s recent win against Wycombe Wanderers, stressing that every squad member needs to be ready.
Selection dilemmas ahead
With nine crucial games remaining in Wrexham’s pursuit of a third successive promotion, Parkinson has made it clear that his squad rotation will depend on opposition tactics. The boss pointed to his recent decisions to include Mo Faal ahead of Marriott against Reading and to select Marriott over Faal at Wycombe as examples of his strategy.
“We just look at the opposition and which, as a bench, can be most impactful in the game. Over the last few seasons, the goals we’ve got from the bench have been excellent, and in these last nine games, the bench is going to be crucial.”
Writer’s view
The situation surrounding Mullin and Palmer is a reminder of how quickly things can change in football. Once pivotal figures, they now find themselves on the fringes due to new arrivals and tactical shifts.
However, Parkinson’s comments suggest he values their contributions and is keeping the door open for their return. With promotion on the line, their experience could yet prove invaluable in Wrexham’s final push for League One success.
