How ‘evolving’ Wrexham are building Championship belief

Step by step, Wrexham’s new faces are getting into a stride.

The late additions in the summer recruitment window – with Dom Hyam from Blackburn Rovers unbeaten since his arrival and Issa Kabore on loan from Manchester City a real threat from wide – have given Wrexham the extra depth and options Parkinson admitted he was lacking amidst injury when they dropped points against Sheffield Wednesday.

“I feel we’re definitely evolving as a team,” said Parkinson. “I think tonight you saw the impact from the bench which was really important for us.”

Those who have seen Wrexham in previous promotion seasons would have recognised the hallmarks of organisation and attitude on display at Leicester.

But it is quality at this level that will make the difference, which is one of the reasons the club broke their transfer record to bring former Wrexham trainee Broadhead home from Ipswich for £7.5m.

“Broady has got a little bit of magic. He’s a dangerous player with a capital D,” was Parkinson’s summary.

Leicester boss Marti Cifuentes had told his players their one-goal lead was not going to be enough, citing “arrogance” as a factor for “throwing away two points”.

Wrexham proved his point with a performance that handled the vast majority of what one of the promotion favourites threw at them, and showed they can be a match on their own terms.

It had a coming of age feel to things and had Parkinson sensing fans “are starting to believe in us”.

Added James: “It’s probably our best result for us as a club to show the belief we have, to come and put in a performance like that.

“It’s important we now back that up against Birmingham.”

The hype of the so-called Hollywood derby – with NFL great Tom Brady a Birmingham backer – is to come on Friday night, a game that will inevitably see the spotlight return to both Wrexham and their manager who knows not all will share his belief.

But, quietly, Parkinson will be happy enough should his side keep making his point for him.