Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was backed heavily by co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac during the summer, but a supercomputer has predicted them to have a difficult season
A supercomputer has tipped Wrexham to be locked in a Championship relegation dogfight this season despite strong backing from their Hollywood co-owners. The Welsh side registered their first home league win of the campaign on Wednesday evening with a 1-0 victory over Oxford United.
Club record signing Nathan Broadhead, who joined the Red Dragons for an initial fee of £7.5million from Ipswich in August, scored the only goal of the game in the 14th minute. Broadhead arrived at the Racecourse Ground as part of a £33m spending spree sanctioned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac.
Wrexham defender Callum Doyle was sent off in the second half, but Phil Parkinson‘s men managed to hold on to secure all three points. While the result lifted them up to 15th in the Championship table, a supercomputer devised by Compare.bet has predicted they will face a difficult challenge this term.
In stark contrast to Wrexham’s three consecutive promotions over the last three years, it has backed them to just about scrape their way to survival. According to the projection, they will finish 21st on 44 points, only one place above Norwich in the final relegation spot.
Fellow newly-promoted side Birmingham have surprisingly been tipped for relegation, along with crisis club Sheffield Wednesday. At the opposite end of the table, the supercomputer reckons Frank Lampard‘s Coventry will lift the title following a strong start to the season, with Middlesbrough grabbing the second automatic promotion spot.
READ MORE: Wrexham get new £33m transfer plan verdict as they break Arsenal and Liverpool status quoREAD MORE: ‘I know perfect man to take Wrexham to Premier League – Ryan Reynolds should talk to him’
Meanwhile, Millwall, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Southampton are predicted to fight it out in the play-offs. Despite the early projection, there is still a long way to go in the campaign, with Wrexham managing 13 points from their opening 11 games, including three wins, four draws and four defeats.
Red Dragons boss Parkinson has expressed confidence that his team is heading in the right direction following their victory over Oxford.
“There has been a lot of anxiety with new players coming in and not getting that win,” he said in his post-match press conference. “Putting the result to one side, we wanted to put in a performance which reflects what we are all about as a group and what the club is all about.
Watch the new season of Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+
Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront.
“After the sending off, we had to show that grit and determination, which I love to see. That’s what this team has been all about for the last three years and what we represent. I wish we didn’t have to go down to ten men but when you do, you have to respond and we did.”
He added: “The lads did exactly what we asked them to do in terms of imposing our shape onto the opposition. Everyone did the role for the team in and out of possession. There was a good physicality about the team.
“All the horrible things you need to do on a pitch we did well. Off the back of that, we played some terrific football in the first 30 minutes. I wanted us to put in a performance that showed what we are all about.”
Wrexham face a tough test in their next Championship clash as they travel away to second place Middlesbrough on Saturday. They will then host Welsh rivals Cardiff in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Tuesday evening, before returning to league action against Coventry.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
