Who will be key in Wrexham's promotion bid? Fans have their say

The League One promotion race is getting interesting - and especially for Wrexham as they aim to return to the second tier for the first time in 43 years.

Ahead of Saturday's trip to Exeter City, we asked you who will be a key player for manager Phil Parkinson in the final eight fixtures of the season.

Here's a selection of your responses.

Jay - Much as I like [Sam] Smith, [Jay] Rodriguez has got to step up. Whoever partners Smith for the rest of the season is going to be the key player, because he can't play on his own.

Graham - This Wrexham team are built around a strong defensive set-up who leak very few goals. This will be the foundation of any success this season coupled with the ability to wear sides down before bringing [Steven] Fletcher on to finish them off.

David - The growing impact of the January signings - [Ryan] Longman, Rodriguez, and Smith - will trigger attacking synergy with [Ollie] Rathbone, [Matty] James and [Elliot] Lee. Goals will flow more easily and confidence will spread. Key man: perhaps surprisingly, Rodriguez.

Mike – It's goals that will get us up and Smith is the boy to do it. Also the experience of [Eoghan] O'Connell at the back.

Mitch - We still have Elliot Lee still coming back into the team. Think he could have an impact in the run-in.

Paul - With eight games left, results are the key not performances. Scoring has been the problem all year, which has meant the defence have been critical. O'Connell has been crucial leading the defence and was definitely man of the match on Saturday. Clean sheets will see us pinch games and Smith will be the man to do that.

David - Wrexham have a slightly easier run in than Wycombe. Sam Smith is crucial. Would like [Paul] Mullin to be involved.

Ollie – All players will play their part. Arthur [Okonkwo] will make some saves, Sam will score some goals, Macca (James McClean) will put some crosses in, Ollie will not stop running. Every player has played their part this season and I can't see it stopping.

Chris - If the players keep putting in a shift anything is possible. As with any team new signings take time to fit in and disrupted the rhythm of the team. Okonkwo has found his best form but needs to impose himself more.

Mike - The back three and keeper just need to keep doing what they're doing. Midfield hasn't really functioned all season along with left-wingback and the strikers, but we seem to find enough somehow when it matters. If we don't get second I suspect we've not enough for the intensity of the play-offs. Big rebuild required in the summer if we don't go up.

Fearless in Devotion - Arthur Okonkwo is key. He's coming into his own once again and showing why he was highly thought of at Arsenal. Then you've got player-of-the-season contender Ollie Rathbone. If he's on song, then the entire side usually are. Grossly underrated but an absolute Rolls Royce of a midfielder. Back to back to back olé olé? It's ON.

Rob - Jimmy McClean - his never-say-die attitude and what he brings to the team.

Stephen - Smith is the man that will keep the Wrexham fight going.

Andy - Rathbone has the engine to keep going for 90 mins non-stop. He's the key to automatic promotion.

Dai - Mullin has just shown his class in a reserve match, Parkinson needs to include him in the next matchday squad or at least tell the fans why he is frozen out.

Ashley - We've got the experience of doing it back to back, think we will go up again now. Think we have an easier run in than Wycombe. Rathbone and Smith the key men.

Ian - Sam Smith is our main striker now and the most likely to score important goals during the run-in. Rathbone is player of the season for me and brings energy like nobody else. Eight big games from O'Connell in defence would give us a great chance of promotion.