Defensive improvement evident as Hyam key for Wrexham

Dom Hyam won his first and only Scotland cap to date in June 2023

Wrexham had to show plenty of battling qualities as they claimed a hard-fought point against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

John Mousinho's side carried far more of an attacking threat on the south coast of England, although Phil Parkinson's men defended admirably.

The draw lifted the Red Dragons up to 14th and to within five points of their next opponents Charlton Athletic - who currently occupy the final play-off spot.

Here are the key talking points to emerge from the 0-0 draw.

Defensive improvement evident

Wrexham conceded 12 goals in their opening six league matches at a rate of two goals per game.

But only once in eight Championship outings since have they have conceded more than one goal - and even that came in a 3-2 victory over leaders Coventry City.

It means they boast a drastically improved rate of just under 0.9 goals per game conceded over the last eight league matches.

"I spoke early in the season when we were coming under pressure, the ball was ending in the back of our net. In any game, you're going to come under pressure," Parkinson said.

"You've got to have that resilience and defending around your 18-yard box, I thought we really had that in place tonight."

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo - arguably Wrexham's star performer at Portsmouth - felt like the draw fully highlighted his side's defensive improvement.

"We've looked so much more solid defensively compared to the beginning of the season," he said.

"At the beginning of the season, I think we lose that game."

Hyam's influence key

The stalemate with Portsmouth was Wrexham's first goalless draw of the season

Dom Hyam has been pivotal to the aforementioned improvement at the back.

The 29-year-old has started nine successive league matches - captaining his side in the previous four - following his transfer deadline day switch to the Stok Cae Ras from Blackburn Rovers.

It has been no coincidence that Wrexham have lost just one of those nine fixtures, with Hyam's display at Portsmouth continuing his impressive start to life with the Welsh side.

According to WhoScored.com, the Scot made two tackles and two interceptions, both the joint-most of any Wrexham player at Pompey, along with six clearances and a blocked shot.

He also ended the contest with a pass accuracy of 82.6%. Dan Scarr was the only Wrexham starter with a higher return (92%).

It's fair to say goalkeeper Okonkwo has enjoyed having Hyam in the three-man defence ahead of him.

"Dom is so good," said Okonkwo. "He gives me so much advice on the pitch and away from the pitch.

"He's obviously much more experienced than me so playing with him is unbelievable. He's such a good defender and he's done so well since coming in."

Even more to come

Following a rocky start, the eye test alone provides proof that Wrexham have improved in the second tier.

The stats show Parkinson's men claimed an average of 0.8 points per game from their first five matches. That has shot up to 1.56 points per game, almost exactly double, over the last nine Championship fixtures.

"We 100% believe - we definitely belong at this level," said Okonkwo.

"We have another step up from here. That takes time, we have a new team, we're all adapting.

"Our performances are getting better, people can see that so we just have to keep going."

Wrexham now have a nine-point buffer over 22nd placed Norwich City, meaning they are far closer to the top six than the division's bottom three.

But the hope is that the improvements will continue as the season progresses.

"There is more to come," added Parkinson. "We're enjoying working together as a group."

Rotation imminent?

Having had an extra day to recover from their memorable 3-2 victory against Coventry, Parkinson named an unchanged line-up for the trip to Portsmouth.

But going into a seventh game in just 22 days against Charlton on Saturday, and with a short three-day turnaround, changes are likely to the team.

George Dobson and George Thomason are among those vying for places in the midfield having started on the bench last time out.

Elsewhere, Nathan Broadhead and Sam Smith are continuing to push for more minutes, although it has been hard for them to oust Josh Windass and Kieffer Moore given their efforts so far this season.

"It'll be another good challenge, Charlton are doing really well this season. We're all looking forward to it," Okonkwo said of the upcoming contest with the Addicks.

"We'll recover now, we only have three days until the next game, but that's all that's in our minds now."