Wrexham

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson hailed the performance of George Thomason as his side came from behind to beat Sheffield United 5-3 in the Championship.

Midfielder Thomason was switched to left-back for Friday's game at the SToK Cae Ras.

Such was his performance and contribution that Parkinson revealed he received a round of applause from his team-mates in the dressing room following the Boxing Day game.

"We always ask for character from the lads and to step up to the plate and boy did he do that," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"We played him there in training and he's been really good and he linked brilliantly with Broady [Nathan Broadhead].

"But doing it in training is one thing and producing it in a high-pressure game, in front of the TV cameras against a really good side who are on a good run, is another thing.

"Three assists and winning the penalty – just all round, he played with so much heart and quality."

Wrexham's victory over Sheffield United ended a winless run of five games, with Parkinson's side up to 13th – five points off the play-offs.

The Red Dragons have not lost at home in the league since September and Parkinson added: "It's a very special place to play and the atmosphere was brilliant.

"We'd stuttered at home a little bit for a couple of reasons at the start, which is unlike us really.

"Since the Oxford game, you can sense the belief the fans have got in the players and we need to have that feeling where the opposition are finding it really tough.

"You could see they (Sheffield United) were, because we really got them on the back foot with energy, but quality on the ball as well."

Wrexham will look to overcome a five-match winless run when they host Sheffield United for Boxing Day's show piece fixture (17:30 GMT).

The Red Dragons are stuck in the midtable after losing two of their past five Championship matches (D3) to stall their progress, while the Blades have been slowly making their ascent up the table and could overtake their hosts with a win.

Neither side will have made the start they were hoping for but with a new year fast approaching, they'll want to go into 2026 on a winning streak.

• Wrexham have won both of their home league games against Sheffield United, scoring four goals each time. This is the first such meeting, however, since February 1983 (4-1).

• Sheffield United lost 1-0 at Swansea earlier this season, having won each of their previous five away league games against Welsh sides before this.

• Wrexham have won their last two Football League games on Boxing Day, last winning more consecutively between 1928 and 1932 (5).

• Sheffield United have won just one of their last five Boxing Day league games (D1 L3), with this their first such game away from home since 2014 (2-1 defeat to Port Vale).

• Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder lost three of his first four league games against Phil Parkinson (W1), but has since beaten him four of his five most recent meetings with the Wrexham boss (L1) – this is the first since a 2-0 win for the Blades against Parkinson's Bolton in February 2019.

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Wrexham midfielder Matty James believes Arthur Okonkwo will not let his mistake against Swansea City on Friday night affect his confidence.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper dropped the ball at the feet of Adam Idah to gift the Swans a stoppage-time winner.

Okonkwo lost his place in the team to Danny Ward at the start of the season, but reclaimed the number one spot after Ward suffered a dislocated elbow against Millwall in August.

"Arthur has been one of our best players over the past few weeks," said James.

"He's kept us in games, he's been fantastic.

"Everyone makes mistakes, as a keeper sometimes they're highlighted.

"You're on your own as a goalkeeper. If a midfielder makes a mistake then other people can pull out of it.

"He's a young lad and he'll definitely learn from these situations.

"It's part of football, mistakes happen. And it's how we bounce back as a team, not just Arthur as an individual."

After droppping to 15th in the Championship Wrexham will look to get back to winning ways against Sheffield United on 26 December (17:30 GMT).

United are three places and two points behind Wrexham in the table.

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Jay Rodriguez will be available for Wrexham's festive fixtures after the veteran striker replaced Elliot Lee in the club's 25-man squad list.

Rodriguez, 36, has not played in 2025-26 having been omitted from the Wrexham squad submitted to the EFL in early September after suffering an ankle injury in pre-season.

But with midfielder Lee sidelined after knee surgery, Wrexham say the fit-again Rodriguez could feature for the first time since April when Phil Parkinson's side host Sheffield United on 26 December.

"Wrexham AFC can confirm that, under the EFL's Regulation 44.9 relating to our 25-man squad list, we have made the following change, effective immediately," the club said.

"With Elliot Lee currently recovering from injury, he has been removed from the squad and Jay Rodriguez added."

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After their added-time defeat away to Welsh rivals Swansea City, BBC Sport asked Wrexham fans if the club's current form is just a stutter, or something more concerning?

The defeat in south Wales means the Dragons are without a win in their last five matches.

Here's what some of the fans have had to say:

Roger: First goal was lucky and when Swansea equalised we went to pieces and showed we are an average bottom half team.

Andy: We're a bit of a Jekyll & Hyde team this season. We mostly play low risk, uninventive football which can be boring and difficult to watch but then play the sort of exciting flowing football that beat Coventry. We need a couple of flair players at Championship level who can be consistent.

Mick: After Swansea there is no need to panic but the main concern is the recent performances. Lacklustre versus Hull and too many unforced errors against an average Swansea side. Defensively we look ok and hardworking without the ball but we don't create enough chances in front of goal. 14th is my prediction for the end of season which would be respectable but not guaranteed if we don't start to improve.

Dougie: I'm very happy how our season is going, we need to learn to walk in the Championship. We have very ambitious owners but the building blocks need to be in place to be ready for the Prem. We will be ok this season.

Graham: Wrexham's loss was a shame, but just a hiccup! I have yet to see a team in any division win every game from the start of the season to the last day. You only have to look at Liverpool of late - peaks and troughs are to be expected now and then. When Wrexham start to get like Wolverhampton, that's the time to start worrying!

Mike: We have a good chance of play-offs but we must buy in January, especially an all attacking midfielder.

Andrew: I'm still optimistic and would suggest we will get a better view after the two home games over Christmas. Anything less than two home wins will reinforce the view that we will languish in the middle to bottom of the table without strengthening the side. Currently, we do not have enough quality in some areas, which has been compounded with lengthy injuries.

Image source, BBC Sport

After waiting 22 years for a league game against Welsh rivals Swansea City, Wrexham lost the Championship encounter in the cruellest of manners.

Phil Parkinson's side have now gone five league games without a win after a late error by goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo gifted Swansea a 2-1 win on Friday night at the Swansea.com Stadium.

How did the game match up to expectations as a derby against the rivals from south Wales, did it get the juices flowing?

The result dropped Wrexham to 15th, seven points off the play-off places ahead of a hectic festive schedule.

Wrexham are at home on 26 December (17:30 GMT) as they host a Sheffield United side who are three places and two points behind them in the table, then host a Preston North End side the following Monday (19:45 GMT) who are in the promotion mix - a side they drew 1-1 with at Deepdale at the beginning of the month.

Is the current form just a stutter, or something more concerning, which players need to step up and which have continued to impress?

Have your say here

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Wrexham midfielder George Dobson says the team is "hurting" after Friday's Championship defeat to Welsh rivals Swansea City, but will rally round goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.

The first league meeting between the two Welsh clubs for 22 years seemed to be heading for a draw, only for Okonkwo to gift a stoppage-time goal to the Swans.

The 24-year-old former Arsenal stopper misjudged a cross with an attempted clearing punch and then compounded the error when the ball was returned into the Wrexham box by dropping it at the feet of Adam Idah, who gleefully prodded home for a 2-1 victory at the Swansea.com Stadium.

"It's a dressing room that's hurting but we know as a group that there are certain things we've got to be better at," Dobson said.

"It's just disappointing for everyone because we started the game really well, and with the incredible backing we had Friday night we really wanted to send them [the fans] home happy.

"It's a tough one to take, obviously the goals were unfortunate and I just feel I've got to mention Arthur, because he has been fantastic, he really has.

"Everyone who has been watching would know how good he's been and everyone makes mistakes in football - there's no one hurting more than him.

"We'll dust him down because that's just how cruel football is.

"He's been incredible and that one unfortunate moment obviously cost us a point in the end."

Dobson echoes Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who has said the whole club will rally behind Okonkwo as they look to get back to winning ways in the Championship after dropping to 15th.

Wrexham are at home on 26 December (17:30 GMT) as they host a Sheffield United side who are three places and two points behind them in the table.

Image source, Rex Features

Phil Parkinson says Wrexham must savour the occasion when they face Swansea City in front of a bumper crowd on Friday (20:00 GMT).

Home tickets for the first league meeting of Wales' two leading clubs in 22 years have long since sold out.

Parkinson says he will remind his players what an "intense atmosphere" could mean – but insists Wrexham should be used to this sort of challenge.

"You've got to be ready for that and I think that's key," said the Wrexham boss.

"We've played in some full houses this season - Southampton away, Leicester, Ipswich - so we're kind of used to that experience of sell-out crowds, which you often get in the Championship.

"Everywhere we've been over the last four years it's been full crowds, so as a group we're used to that.

"But equally, each game we all need reminding what that kind of intensity brings, how we need to start the game, how we need to approach it."

Though Welsh derby pride will be on the line, Parkinson says Wrexham must play with "calmness" if they are to take the points at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Wrexham travel south having lost just once in their past 11 league games, while struggling Swansea have been beaten in six of their past eight.

The Swans will play for the sixth time under the guidance of Vitor Matos, who was named successor to the sacked Alan Sheehan last month.

"He's tweaked the formation a bit, as you'd probably expect, because when you get a manager's job there's a reason you get it," Parkinson added.

"We've had a good look at Swansea, we've looked at the strengths of the team and also the weaknesses as well, and we'll look to execute that game plan as well as we can."

Midfielder Ollie Rathbone says Wrexham's players are "licking their lips" because they have the chance to "make a name for themselves" when they face Swansea City on Friday.

Wrexham travel south for a first league encounter with their Welsh rivals for 22 years.

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Wrexham striker Ryan Hardie is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury during last weekend's draw with Watford.

Hardie, who has scored once in 10 appearances since joining Wrexham from Plymouth in the summer, came on for the last 12 minutes of the 2-2 draw at Stok Cae Ras.

But the 28-year-old Scot now looks set to miss a number of games, starting with Friday's fixture at Swansea City (20:00 GMT).

"Unfortunately Ryan Hardie, on that chance he had towards the end [of the Watford game], just fell awkwardly on his knee and he's going to face a spell out of action," said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

"He doesn't need an operation but it's just one of those innocuous moments, which is a shame for Ryan."

Hardie has featured in six Championship games for Wrexham this campaign but started only two of those.

His one Wrexham goal to date came in their EFL Cup win at Preston North End in August.

The Swansea trip is the first of five league games Wrexham must play in 16 days across the hectic festive period.

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Iwan Roberts feels Wrexham have had too many draws this season but is impressed by their Championship form.

Ollie Rathbone struck in added time last time out as Phil Parkinson's men claimed a 2-2 draw with Watford at the Stok Cae Ras.

The point stretched the Red Dragons' unbeaten home run in the league to eight matches, although Wrexham are now without a win in four Championship games.

The Watford result means Wrexham have drawn 10 of their 21 league matches this season, more than any other side in the English Football League.

"Watford had the joint-worst away record in the Championship and I feel like Wrexham dropped points, although they were fortunate in the end with Ollie Rathbone, on his first Championship appearance of the season, scoring his first goal of the season in the 92nd minute to earn a point," former Wales striker Roberts told BBC Radio Cymru.

"They're 14th in the Championship now but only six points from the play-offs.

"You look at their record in the Championship, it's great. Only the top three have lost fewer games than Wrexham.

"The problem for Wrexham is that they've had too many draws. They've had five in their past eight and 10 in total.

"If they'd lost half of those games and won half of those games, they'd be in the top six.

"But it's a good run, fair play, and they've got a massive game at the Swansea.com Stadium on Friday night."

Wrexham face Swansea City, Sheffield United and Preston North End in their final three fixtures of 2025.