Phil Parkinson: FA Cup run 'helped' Wrexham last season
- Published
Wrexham striker Sam Dalby is congratulated after scoring in last season's 4-3 win at Coventry City in the third ronud.
Phil Parkinson says last season's FA Cup run helped Wrexham to go on to win the National League title.
Parkinson's side are at League Two rivals Mansfield Town in Saturday's first round.
Last season Wrexham lost to Sheffield United in a fourth round replay after beating another Championship side, Coventry.
"We utilised those games to test ourselves against better opposition," he said.
"But also big occasions and how we responded in those situations and I felt it helped us.
"This season is slightly different because we've had some big occasions already - 22,000 at Bradford and Notts County another sell out and the lads have acquitted themselves well.
"There's a slightly different feel to the Mansfield one, but to get to one of those bigger teams in the third round, obviously these are tough games at the start like we had last year.
"People tend to forget Blyth Spartans was a real test for us because it was all set up for a giant killing and we had to navigate our way through those early couple of rounds."
Parkinson will have defenders Bryce Hosannah and Callum McFadzean as well as striker Billy Watters available for Saturday's tie at Mansfield.
The trio missed out on Wrexham's squad for the league campaign which is limited to 22 players - although there is no restriction on goalkeepers and players who were aged 21 at the start of the current year.
"It's a nice lift for those lads because I don't agree with that rule of 22 players, I really don't," Parkinson said.
"I think you should have at least one opportunity to change things around because we've had injuries with lads that are not going to figure and I've got lads that are training every day.
"Mentally it can be tough when you can't be included on the weekend, but they've kept their spirits high, they've trained well and it will be nice to get some involvement for those lads over the next couple of games."
Injuries have impacted Parkinson's options during recent weeks and although Aaron Hayden and Jordan Tunnicliffe are expected back soon, the manager will be without longer-term absenteees Ryan Barnett and Eoghan O'Connell as well as Steve Fletcher.
Former Scotland international Fletcher, 36, who joined on a free transfer in September, has scored two goals in 10 appearances, but has undergone knee surgery.
"We knew Fletch's knee was coming to the point where he needed an operation," Parkinson said.
"He's subsequently had his operation this week and he's going to have a spell out.
"But he couldn't carry on the way he was going.
"He was putting himself up for selection, but his knee was swelling up after each game and he needed a clean out.
"We'll be looking forward when he returns and he'll be firing all cylinders.
"The impact when he's come off the bench has been exceptional. His personality has been really good around the training ground.
"When youngers strikers in the group see Fletch out at the end practising his finishing and working on aspects of his game, he's a great role model."