Wrexham did not sign a striker in the summer, and Phil Parkinson has explained the decision as the club deals with an attacking injury shortage.
Attacking injury shortage
Sam Smith has been ruled out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury and is due to undergo knee surgery on Wednesday. Josh Windass is unavailable after suffering a slight setback in his return from an ankle injury, while Nathan Broadhead and Callum O’Hare are also sidelined.
Summer recruitment decision
Wrexham spent $48 million on seven signings over the summer but did not add a striker, with the priority instead being to improve creativity in the side.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Parkinson said: “I think with strikers, every manager and every club will always try to get an extra one. But the thing is, strikers are hard to buy; they are very expensive, and you’ve got to make sure you’re bringing one in who is better, or at least as good as what you’ve got, or you’ve got to stick with what you’ve got. We’d love to have brought in another front player, but sometimes that can prove difficult. It is never for a want of trying at this club.”
Former CEO Michael Williamson claimed the club was ‘comfortable’ with its attacking options before the summer transfer deadline.
Victory over Middlesbrough
Wrexham beat Middlesbrough in a match, with George Thomason and Ollie Rathbone scoring. Wrexham have had nine different goalscorers this season.
Parkinson said: “Everyone has got to chip in. Center-backs: Joe Worrall has got a goal, Max (Cleworth) is a threat, (Callum) Doyley is a threat, Dom (Hyam). We have got threats in the box. Throughout the course of a season, players have got to chip in if you’re going to be successful. We have had that ever since I have been here, and we need it now with Sam out and the lads we have got out at the top of the pitch. I have said it many times, players have got to step up. Tommo and Ollie Rathbone did that.”
Middlesbrough’s absent top scorer
Middlesbrough were without injured top scorer Will Lankshear, who has 15 goals this season.
