Phil Parkinson: Wrexham had to block out the noise
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson praised his squad's focus after they responded to recent criticism with a 4-1 victory over Preston North End.
Following a disappointing midweek defeat to West Bromwich Albion, Wrexham returned to winning ways with an emphatic 4-1 Championship victory over Preston North End at the Racecourse. Manager Phil Parkinson revealed that the squad had to make a conscious effort to "block everything out" in response to the mounting criticism surrounding their slow start to the campaign.
Parkinson, who has managed over 1,000 professional games, acknowledged that criticism is part of the job, especially for a club with Wrexham's high profile. He emphasized that after the recent setback, the priority was to bring the group together and refine the team's tactical approach ahead of the fixture.
The victory was underpinned by first goals for the club from Joe Worrall and Ben Whiteman, which gave the hosts a 2-1 lead by halftime. Second-half goals from Sam Smith and Kieffer Moore sealed the result against the league's bottom side, reinforcing Parkinson's belief in the squad's competitive potential.
The manager also addressed the club's unprecedented injury crisis, which has sidelined key players including Max Cleworth, Nathan Broadhead, and Dan Sheaf. While he noted that the team has lost significant quality on the pitch, he insisted that the focus remains on galvanizing the available group until the injured players return to provide greater competition for places.