Wrexham

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Manager Phil Parkinson lauded Kieffer Moore's "great return" after the striker notched his 10th goal of the season in all competitions for Wrexham in his side's 1-1 draw with Preston North End.

The striker tapped into the net in the fourth minute to give the visitors the lead at Deepdale - only for Harrison Armstrong to bag his first goal for North End to salvage a point for Paul Heckingbottom's side.

Moore's effort against the Lilywhites means just five players have netted more times in the Championship than the Wales international this term.

"Without a doubt, 10 goals from open play before Christmas is a great return," said Parkinson.

"He's a real handful but he's got a lot to his game.

"I think all of our supporters have seen that in terms of his hold-up play, his ability to stretch the pitch as well and it's great for him to get a goal."

Despite extending their unbeaten run in the league to nine matches, Parkinson said his players were disappointed in the changing room after the contest in Lancashire.

"I'm so sad (for the fans) that we didn't get that win and that dressing room was a quiet one afterwards but I don't want it to be, because I think we should be proud of the way we've gone about that today," he said.

"That was a proper game of football and we stood strong in all departments."

The 58-year-old added: "We're going toe-to-toe with teams and you can see that all the time.

"Preston have been in this division a long time. They've had a long time to recruit a Championship-standard squad and they've got good depth in there, and you could see that from the bench.

"I don't think we could have asked for any more from the boys today, I thought they gave us so much.

"I think that the real winner today was Championship football because there'll be people watching that game in really difficult conditions.

"The word honesty stands out to me from both sets of players, there's tackles going in and there's just a real fairness and competitiveness about the game."

This is a first league meeting (15:00 GMT) between Preston North End and Wrexham for a quarter of a century.

Preston are looking to avoid back-to-back home league defeats for the first time since April while Wrexham head to Deepdale on the Championship's current longest unbeaten run of eight games.

• Preston are unbeaten in their past five league games against Wrexham (W3 D2), with this their first meeting since a 1-0 home win in March 2000.

• In a run stretching back to 1982, Wrexham have lost six of their past seven away league games against Preston, winning the other 1-0 in October 1997.

• Preston have lost two of their past four home league games (W2), as many as they had in their previous 21 at Deepdale (W7 D12).

• Wrexham are unbeaten in their past eight league games, alternating between a victory (4) and a draw (4) each time. They drew 1-1 against Blackburn Rovers last time out.

• No side in England's top four tiers has drawn more league games than Wrexham this season, with their eight stalemates the most of any side in the Championship.

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Phil Parkinson says Jay Rodriguez and Andy Cannon will return to the Wrexham squad on 1 January.

The duo have not played a single minute of action for the Red Dragons this season due to injury and were left out of the 25-man squad the club submitted to the English Football League following the closure of the summer transfer window.

"Football changes quickly. We've got Rodriguez, Andy Cannon, [Ollie] Rathbone are all chomping at the bit," said Parkinson.

"Rodriguez and Cannon will come back into the squad on 1 January, we've got Brunty [Lewis Brunt] closing in on a return, Elliot Lee.

"There's players in football, people think they've not got a chance to get a place in the team, like George Thomason for instance who had a bad start to the season through injury, he wasn't on the bench, and next game he starts, makes a statement with his performance and now he's right in the middle of our thinking."

A number of players including summer signings Ryan Hardie and Conor Coady have struggled to get regular game time this season.

Before Wrexham's final six Championship matches of the year, Parkinson addressed his squad with the aim of ensuring all players remain focused on achieving the same goal.

"Inevitably, everybody wants to play, it goes without saying," explained the Wrexham manager. "I spoke to the lads about it today as we go into this next run of games.

"Our strength throughout my time at Wrexham is controlling that disappointment when you're not in the team, making sure that if you're on the bench, you're ready to impact the game.

"If you're not on the bench, it's making sure your training standards are maintained.

"I think that strength, spirit and togetherness is important because every club has got players out of the team.

"Those ones out of the team can sometimes be as important as those in the team.

"We've spoken about that a lot during my time as this club and I've felt that is a key element to our success over the last few years and there's an understanding that we need to maintain that."

Image source, McLaren/Wrexham AFC

Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson has described the breaking ground on the construction of the new Kop Stand at the STōK Cae Ras as "a hugely significant moment" for the club and its supporters.

A ceremony on Thursday marked the beginning of the full construction phase of a new 7,750-capacity Kop Stand which will take the overall capacity of the stadium to just over 18,000.

The new stand is set for completion during the 2026-27 season, and along with other works planned, will make Wrexham's ground fully compliant with Uefa category 4 stadium standards.

"The Kop has always held deep importance, and today's ceremony marks the beginning of its long-awaited return," Williamson said.

"Over the coming months, fans will see the structure take shape as we build a stand that enhances capacity, improves facilities and secures the future of the STōK Cae Ras as a top-tier venue for domestic, international football and other sporting and entertainment events."

Representatives from the club, Wrexham County Borough Council, McLaren Construction Midlands and North, the Welsh Government and Wrexham University were among those at Thursday's breaking ground ceremony.

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Former Wales striker Sam Vokes says the job Phil Parkinson has done at Wrexham has been "elite".

The 58-year-old has overseen three promotions during his time at Stok Cae Ras and recently chalked up 200 league matches in charge of the north Wales side.

Wrexham won 119 of those matches under Parkinson at a win rate of almost 60%, and Vokes lauded the job the manager has done since becoming boss in the summer of 2021.

"He's a proper manager. The job he's done there has been elite," Vokes told the Feast of Football podcast.

"He's always had the pressure on him as well, because that expectation has just been there for Wrexham over the last few years.

"Three promotions on the bounce, to get that club to where they are right now, on the brink of the play-offs in the Championship is a fantastic job.

"They've got a lot of backing behind them, we've seen that financially, but you still need the manager in there to deliver that because that expectation is not easy.

"For that size of club to still be well and truly up there and, overachieving I'd say, from where they've been in the last few years, it's a great job he's been doing."

Having drawn 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers last weekend, Wrexham go into Saturday's Championship contest with Preston North End (15:00 GMT) in 10th place, just three points adrift of the play-off places.

They are also unbeaten in their past eight league games, with ex-Wales frontman Iwan Roberts admitting he would loved to have played under Parkinson - who attempted to sign Roberts at Colchester United - during his career.

"What I like about him, he hasn't changed. He knows what he's good at, he's a really good motivator and man manager," said Roberts.

"He's got a good team around him and they've been together forever. That's so important, to get good people around you that you trust.

"I'd love to play for a Phil Parkinson team. He deserves all of the credit he's getting."

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Max Cleworth feels Wrexham have quality "all over the pitch" as they bid to continue their impressive run when they return to action against Preston North End on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Defender Cleworth, 23, notched up his first goal of the season in the final seconds to earn Phil Parkinson's men a point against Blackburn Rovers at the Stok Cae Ras last time out.

The draw means Wrexham head to Deepdale this weekend having not lost any of their past eight league games, and Cleworth believes his side are continuing to improve following a hefty squad overhaul in the summer.

"As a team, it probably took a little bit of time to gel and that happens with the amount of changes were made in the summer and you lose players and new lads come in," he said.

"It's hard to gel straight away but I think we're certainly doing that now. We've tightened things up and we're really dangerous going forward.

"No matter who plays, lads who come off the bench, we've got quality all over the pitch so we're always a threat to teams and it's important that we've managed to get on a decent run. Hopefully we can continue it."

The Red Dragons beat Preston at Deepdale in the second round of the EFL Cup earlier this season.

While they are winless in their past three league games, Paul Heckingbottom's Lilywhites side sit fifth in the Championship table, four points and five places above Wrexham.

"I think it's another tough game, as they all are in the Championship," added Cleworth.

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Phil Parkinson joined an illustrious list on Saturday as he oversaw his 200th league game in charge of Wrexham.

The 58-year-old became just the sixth Wrexham boss to reach the milestone - joining Ernie Blackburn, John Neal, Dixie McNeil, Brian Flynn and Denis Smith in doing so.

With three promotions to his name in north Wales already, the numbers will inevitably make for pretty reading as far as the manager's record is concerned.

He has overseen 119 victories, giving him a win rate of 59.5% in league matches since taking over at the Stok Cae Ras in the summer of 2021.

Under Parkinson, Wrexham have claimed 405 points from the 600 on offer, meaning the Red Dragons average 2.025 points per game in the league.

Last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers ensured Wrexham extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches - with Parkinson's side now 10th in the table and just three points adrift of the play-off places.

Given the remarkable journey Wrexham have been on under Parkinson and the ownership of Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, few would bet against the club enjoying even more success as their manager looks forward to whatever other landmarks may lie ahead.

Image source, BBC Sport

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Wrexham have found their feet in the Championship, and have not lost a league game in eight.

The unbeaten run has seen Phil Parkinson's side climb up to ninth in the league, three points outside the play-off places.

Ahead of their next fixture against Preston North End, who currently sit fifth in the play-offs, we asked you whether a top six finish was possible for Wrexham this season.

Here is what you had to say.

Gareth: Hopefully that momentum continues, and if we're still in a strong position come January, we can make a real push for the play-offs. Back-to-back-to-back-to-back?

Mike: It's great to see optimism around the place in such a tough league but our strike force options scream mid-table for now and that's more than good enough this season.

Walt: It looks like every team are taking points of each other, which is helping us stay close to the play offs. I would like to see us take more of our chances when they come around, but it's very possible that we will finish in the top six.

Andy: Do I think they will make the play-offs? Who knows, but I definitely would never count them out. The signings over the summer have gelled and turned into a serious force. If we can make the play-offs, discount them at your peril!

Bob: At the beginning of the season I would have said that with Phil Parkinson in charge the answer was no! However the impossible could come true. If Parkinson and his team continue to play solid football the chance is there.

Catherine: I believe we will reach the play-offs and to be fair my heart says we will get to the Premier League - but my head tells me it's too early.

Gareth: Yes, they could very much make the play-offs but it wouldn't be the end of the world if they didn't.

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Phil Parkinson hopes Wrexham can continue to be challenging for a top six spot heading into 2026.

The Red Dragons are just three points adrift of the Championship's play-off places having gone into December unbeaten in eight league matches.

They face Preston North End twice in addition to coming up against Hull City, Watford, Swansea City and Sheffield United in their final six fixtures of what has been another remarkable year for the north Wales side.

And boss Parkinson feels the coaching staff are continuing to see "good signs" from what is a new-look side on the back of making 13 signings during the summer transfer window.

"It's great to be up and around it. Can we keep chipping away? Can we get into January in a challenging position?" said the Wrexham manager.

"We're just going to keep working hard as a group and we'll see where that takes us.

"This season has been enjoyable so far because you're watching a group of players build together, get to know each other on and off the pitch and that's all a process and we're well into that now and we've seen some good signs."

Wrexham - currently ninth in the table - return to action against Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Image source, BBC Sport

After a tough start to the season, Wrexham have found their feet in the Championship.

Phil Parkinson's side are unbeaten in eight league games, with Saturday's 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers the latest.

The run of form has seen Wrexham climb to ninth in the Championship, three points outside the play-off places.

Next up for Wrexham is a trip to Preston North End, who currently sit fifth in the play-offs.

With Wrexham in such good form, is a play-off finish possible this season?

Have your say here!

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Phil Parkinson was pleased with the balance of his Wrexham side as they extended their unbeaten run after the final international break of 2025.

The Red Dragons claimed five points from the nine on offer from their Championship fixtures with Ipswich Town, Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers - with the trio of matches being played in just eight days.

"I think when you have the three games in the eight days like that, we've just got to get the balance right because the next week we go into another great run," Parkinson said.

"But it's been enjoyable this week, we've really enjoyed it. They've all been different types of games.

"The Ipswich game, we came up against a really good football team, we had to be so disciplined.

"Bristol City was kind of a mixture really in the way they played and it became a really good football game and today against a counter-attacking team (Blackburn) who sat off the ball and let us have it and we had to find an answer.

"I felt the subs came on, I've also got to mention Callum Doyle because I thought he was brilliant when he came on, we needed that kind of impetus from that side to step through with the ball and I thought he made a big difference."

Wrexham's 1-1 draw with Blackburn saw them concede a goal for the first time in 375 minutes in the Championship.

It brought an end to their impressive run of keeping four successive league clean sheets - their joint-best sequence under Parkinson.

But the Wrexham boss was pleased with the response to Andri Gudjohnsen's opener as Max Cleworth netted in added time to salvage a point for the home side at the Stok Cae Ras.

"You've got to be careful when we haven't conceded for a while, we haven't been behind for a while," he added.

"We said to the dressing room, 'lads, come on, it's just football, teams are allowed to score, we'd like to not concede again this season, but it's going to happen'.

"The lads responded really well. It's never easy against a team like the way they were set up today, they've a real work ethic in the side and that's why they've got points on their travels. But we'll take the point."

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Phil Parkinson believes the fact Wrexham will have "mixed emotions" after their 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers proves how much progress they have made in the Championship.

Max Cleworth got the slightest of touches on Nathan Broadhead's strike to divert the ball into the net in added time as the Red Dragons claimed a point after Andri Gudjohnsen had given Rovers an early lead.

The draw extended Wrexham's unbeaten league run to eight matches and sees them sit ninth in the table - a significant turnaround after a tough start to life in the second tier.

"I think it'll be mixed emotions," said Parkinson.

"We're pleased with the run we're on, we'd love for it to have been three points but sometimes you've got to accept that the positives of the day were that the new lads have come in and had a great taste of us going to the end in games.

"Time and time again here (at the Stok Cae Ras) we've got late winners, we've got late equalisers and it's so important that we keep that belief and drive to the very last kick of the game."

When asked if the potential disappointment of not beating Valerien Ismael's side serves as proof that Wrexham are improving, Parkinson responded: "Yeah, definitely.

"We can have a good look at the game today and what we could have done better and reflect on that and what we did well like we always do.

"But I feel we are building as a team, I really do feel that, and there's some good things for us today.

"Broady [Nathan Broadhead] getting 90 minutes, Kieffer [Moore], in fairness to the big fella, he's had an injury, he's trained for two days, played nearly 80 minutes on Wednesday and then he's gone the full 90 today.

"So hopefully everyone's come through unscathed and we can have a bit of time this week to get everyone on the training pitch and have a good build-up towards Preston."

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Dom Hyam hopes to wear the captain's armband more regularly at Wrexham but admits the Championship club are blessed with leaders.

The centre-back led his side in five successive matches before James McClean wore the armband for Wrexham's past two fixtures against Ipswich Town and Bristol City.

"We're lucky, we've got a team and a squad that I think you could name eight, nine or 10 captains," Hyam told BBC Sport Wales.

"There's a lot of experience there and it's a good thing to know that when you're having a tough time in a game or something's not going too well, you can look to your right or your left and you can see real leaders and experienced pros.

"It's obviously a credit to the recruitment team in creating a good, experienced team here.

"So it's something that I've been really proud to do and hopefully I can do it again at some point in the future."

Having been an unused substitute against Queens Park Rangers in his first match after joining Wrexham on transfer deadline day, Hyam has gone on to start 11 consecutive league games for the Red Dragons.

The Scotland international has been a pivotal figure in Wrexham's defensive improvement and will look to help his side keep a fifth consecutive league clean sheet when Phil Parkinson's men host Hyam's former club Blackburn Rovers at Stok Cae Ras on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"It is a big occasion for me personally, but at the end of the day it's another game I want to win," added the defender.

"I know a lot of the players there and a lot of the management staff, so it'll be an interesting one."

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Former Newport County head coach Dave Hughes says the job Phil Parkinson has done at Wrexham has been "unbelievable".

The 57-year-old has guided the Red Dragons to three successive promotions from the National League under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

A 2-0 victory over Bristol City at the Stok Cae Ras on Wednesday night lifted Wrexham up to 10th in the Championship table - with Parkinson's men sitting just two points adrift of the league's top six.

And Wrexham fan Hughes heaped praise on Parkinson for the job he has done since taking charge in north Wales in the summer of 2021.

"They've recruited well and they've got real clarity," Hughes told the Feast of Football podcast.

"From the outside looking in, they've kept a real core of good professionals around it as they've come up through the leagues and they've added to it.

"You look at the league table, to be where they are, I think it's an incredible achievement and the manager deserves every bit of praise he gets because what he's done for that club is unbelievable."

Wrexham head into their Championship contest with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (15:00 GMT) having won four successive league matches at home.

They have also kept four consecutive clean sheets in the Championship to extend their unbeaten league run to seven games.

The manner of their resurgence since what was a testing start to life in the second tier has led former Wales striker Iwan Roberts to believing that Wrexham are serious contenders to secure a play-off place this season.

"They are where I thought they would be and I thought they should be with the money they've spent and the recruitment they did in the summer," Roberts told the Feast of Football podcast.

"Recruitment is key, and I don't think Phil is one of these head coaches who is obsessed with having 65% to 70% possession, he just wants to win games.

"They're the only team that have beaten Coventry this season, they're two points off the play-offs and honestly, I think they've got a great chance of top six."

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Wrexham could climb into the play-off places when they welcome Blackburn to the Stok Cae Ras on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Phil Parkinson's men have won four straight home games, keeping three clean sheets, and Wednesday's 2-0 win over Bristol City made it seven unbeaten and took the Red Dragons into 10th, just two points outside the top-six.

Rovers were stung by a late 1-0 defeat at home to QPR on the same night and lie 18th, just four points clear of the relegation zone, but head to Wales seeking a fourth straight away win and sixth of the campaign.

• This is the first league meeting between Wrexham and Blackburn Rovers since March 1982, with the Welsh side winning 1-0 at home in the second tier.

• Blackburn Rovers have won just one of their past 13 Football League games against Wrexham, though nine of those games have been drawn (L3).

• Blackburn have lost seven of their past 10 league games against newly-promoted sides (W3) and 14 of their last 15 on the road (D1).

• Wrexham are unbeaten in their past three weekend league matches (W1 D2), keeping a clean sheet in the last two (1-0 v Charlton and 0-0 v Ipswich). They had only kept one clean sheet in their first nine weekend games in the Championship this season beforehand.

• Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has lost both his previous league meetings with Blackburn, coming during his time in charge of Bolton Wanderers in 2018-19.

Image source, PA Media

Boss Phil Parkinson believes Wrexham have rediscovered their best intensity levels at home having extended their winning Championship run at the Stok Cae Ras to four matches.

The Red Dragons beat Bristol City 2-0 in north Wales on Wednesday night to move within two points of the play-off places, having extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven games.

"It's brilliant. That's what it's all about," Parkinson said when asked about fans getting excited of late.

"I feel like in the last four games, and a bit prior to that, I think the Derby game as well, the intensity in the ground is where it has been for the last four years.

"We want to keep it there, but that will only happen if they see us on the front foot, the pressing and the energy the lads showed tonight."

Wrexham bid to continue their impressive run of form when they return to action against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Speaking after his side's win against Bristol City, Parkinson said he would enjoy a pint with members of his coaching staff while making preparations for the contest with Valerien Ismael's side.

"It's set up nicely and now me, Steve [Parkin, assistant manager], Aidan [Davison, goalkeeper coach] and Jonah [David Jones, first team coach] will go for a pint somewhere later on tonight and we start concentrating on what we've got to do and picking the team we feel is right to go and get another result," said Parkinson.

Phil Parkinson says the presence of Nathan Broadhead and Josh Windass in his squad gives Wrexham "another dimension".

Parkinson's side continued their fine form by beating Bristol City on Wednesday, with Broadhead scoring a spectacular goal in the 2-0 victory.