Wrexham

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George Dobson said Rob McElhenney's speech to Wrexham's players on the eve of their 2-1 League One win against Blackpool on Monday was "unbelievable".

Club co-owner McElhenney was in the away end as Phil Parkinson's side rose back up to second in the table courtesy of their impressive away victory combined with Wycombe Wanderers' 4-0 loss to Charlton Athletic.

In the aftermath of the contest at Bloomfield Road, Parkinson revealed Hollywood actor McElhenney spoke to his players prior to the game.

And in the build up to his side's crunch fixture with Charlton on Saturday (17:30 BST), Dobson opened up on the talk given by McElhenney.

"It was unbelievable," said the 27-year-old.

"The Wigan and Bristol Rovers games it maybe looked like we were a tad more cagey than we had been and [McElhenney] just said there's no pressure whatsoever, just go back to that 12-year-old boy and play as you would as a kid with your friends.

"It was a really inspirational, motivational speech and the whole group really bought into it."

Dobson says the impact was there for all to see.

"I think it showed in the performance at Blackpool, it seemed like the reins were off with the group and there was a real togetherness between the fans and the club," he added.

"With the goals, the way they were celebrated, it felt like a really special moment."

Dobson will once again aim to play a key role as Wrexham go in search of victory over his former side Charlton this weekend.

Should Wycombe fail to beat Leyton Orient, the Red Dragons will clinch promotion to the Championship by beating the Addicks.

"I had three brilliant years [at Charlton] and I really enjoyed it. I met a lot of special people and people who I'm still close with," said Dobson.

"It always seems to be that things like that happen and you end up playing against former teams when it matters the most.

"But I'm just really hoping we can deliver like we did on Monday and bring a special evening."

Charlton remain in the hunt to finish second behind champions Birmingham City having claimed 16 points from their previous six league outings.

And Wrexham manager Parkinson feels Charlton are reaping the rewards of fielding a more consistent starting 11 of late under Nathan Jones.

"I think Nathan has picked a more or less consistent side over the last 10 to 15 games," said Parkinson.

"He was searching for a balance in the team and he's clearly found it because their record is really good."

Image source, Sarah Kyffin

Midfielder George Dobson says the visit of young fan Archie White to Wrexham's training ground has given players a "sense of perspective" before their crunch League One fixture with Charlton Athletic.

Phil Parkinson's side will secure a third successive promotion if they beat the Addicks at the Stok Cae Ras on Saturday (17:30 BST) and Wycombe Wanderers fail to win against Leyton Orient.

Before what could be a decisive game for Wrexham, 12-year-old Archie - who was diagnosed with myeloid sarcoma, an extremely rare type of cancer, in 2024 - visited the club's training ground.

A number of players, including Dobson, Paul Mullin, Ollie Rathbone and Arthur Okonkwo, posed for photographs with Wrexham supporter Archie.

"It's the sense of perspective. At the end of the day, we're just playing a game of football," said Dobson.

"It was great Archie coming in and seeing his family. He seemed like he had a great day.

"That's the special thing about the club, they really do buy into all aspects of the community and the family aspect.

"I think that's what's set the tone for the club in general and why they've been so successful in the last few years and hopefully we can continue that."

Director Humphrey Ker has regularly spoken of the club's eagerness to showcase the wider community in addition to football matters in the 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary.

And boss Phil Parkinson hailed Archie as an "inspiration" following his visit to Colliers Park on Thursday.

"It was great to see young Archie at the training ground and what a great young man he is," said the Wrexham manager.

"It's an inspiration with how he's coping with all of his problems.

"That's what a football club is all about, it's about being part of the community.

"Wrexham is very much at the heart of this town, and any supporter or anyone we feel can benefit from connecting with us, then obviously we try and do that."

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Ollie Rathbone hopes the Stok Cae Ras will play host to a blockbuster on Saturday as Wrexham and Charlton Athletic lock horns knowing both clubs remain in the race for automatic promotion from League One.

Wrexham returned to second place as they beat Blackpool 2-1 on Monday while Wycombe Wanderers were beaten 4-0 by the Addicks at Adams Park.

It leaves Phil Parkinson's side two points clear of the Chairboys, and four ahead of Charlton, with just two regular season matches left to play.

And Rathbone believes the fact both sides still have everything to play for will ensure this weekend's meeting between Wrexham and Charlton will be a mouth-watering one.

"It's quite topsy turvy this whole thing, a bit of a rollercoaster," he said.

"We just need to stay calm, go into the game and do our best. We won't get carried away, we'll just play the game in front of us.

"I think some people will say, coming to the end of the season, it's easier playing teams that have less to play for. I don't find that to be the case.

"When teams don't have any pressure on them, they can play more freely.

"I think it'll make for a much better game that Charlton are right in the mix as well."

Wrexham will clinch an historic third successive promotion this weekend if they beat Charlton and Wycombe fail to win at Leyton Orient.

"People forget how far the club has come in such a short space of time," added Rathbone.

"To be fighting at the top of the league for automatic promotion is brilliant.

"It would be a huge achievement for me personally, and for the club and the town."

Rathbone scored his seventh league goal of the campaign last time out in Wrexham's triumph over Blackpool.

It represents the 28-year-old's best goal return in a season of his career.

"I'm really happy with that, especially when I didn't play for the first chunk of the season, so it's a pretty good return," he added.

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James McClean admits it was a case of "third time lucky" as he scored the opener in Wrexham's pivotal 2-1 win at Blackpool.

McClean was unable to score with a pair of big chances either side of the restart at Bloomfield Road but struck a fine effort beyond Harry Tyrer in the 61st minute.

The former Republic of Ireland international says his goal was the perfect way to celebrate his birthday having turned 36 the day after the victory against Steve Bruce's side, adding that striker Sam Smith did not get the final touch on his shot.

"We've seen it back a few times, it's definitely my goal. He's (Smith) not getting that," said McClean.

"It was overdue as well, so I'm delighted to score. I almost scored two before that, one great save and I haven't seen the header back, I probably got too good a connection on it.

"But it was third time lucky, and a nice birthday present. My wife and two eldest kids were in the crowd as well. It was fantastic for them and to send them (fans) home happy."

The triumph over Blackpool combined with Wycombe Wanderers' 4-0 loss at home to Charlton Athletic saw Wrexham rise back above the Chairboys into second place in League One.

Phil Parkinson's men sit two points above Wycombe and four above their next opponents Charlton with just two matches of the regular season left to play.

But McClean says Wrexham can't afford to take anything for granted as they continue their quest to clinch a third successive promotion.

"It (Blackpool win) puts us back in a great position," he added.

"We've been here before and at this stage of the season, there's always twists and turns, you can't take anything for granted.

"The players and the staff have to remain professional, block out that noise and just go about doing our job.

"There's a lot of pressure at this stage of the season and pressure is a privilege because it means there's something expected of you.

"We have to see it that way and embrace it."

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Phil Parkinson says the race to secure automatic promotion from League One is "not over yet" as Wrexham bid to return to winning ways at Blackpool.

The Red Dragons dropped to third place after a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers on Friday as Wycombe Wanderers won 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers.

But Parkinson has urged his players to "believe a bit more" before the trip to Bloomfield Road on Monday (15:00 BST) as Wrexham remain in pursuit of a top two spot.

"Of course, not winning today [against Bristol Rovers] adds importance on to that game," said the manager.

"We've done well on our travels recently, can we continue that?

"I just want the lads to believe a bit more and I just felt we looked, not positive today. Our actions were just a little bit laboured and we need to free up a little bit.

"It's not over yet. We're in contention and we've still got a great chance."

Wrexham have largely impressed on the road of late, suffering just one defeat in nine away league matches since losing 2-1 at Shrewsbury Town in mid-January.

"Our away form at the end of January, we averaged just over a point per game and we've taken that to just over two points per game," added Parkinson.

"We needed to do that because we've had more away games than home games in the last few months of the season.

"We're obviously pleased with the return, but now we need to continue that at Blackpool."

Wrexham currently trail second-placed Wycombe by one point with three games remaining. The Chairboys also boast a superior goal difference.

Following the trip to Blackpool, Wrexham host Charlton Athletic at the Stok Cae Ras on April 26 before rounding off the regular season at Lincoln City a week later.

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Matty James hopes to use his time at Leicester City as inspiration to help Wrexham gain promotion from League One this season.

The 33-year-old was on the score sheet as the Foxes defeated Nottingham Forest 3-2 on the final day of the 2012-13 Championship regular season to sneak into the play-offs in dramatic fashion.

James netted what could yet be a crucial equaliser as Wrexham came from behind to earn a point against Bristol Rovers at the Stok Cae Ras on Friday.

The draw - combined with Wycombe Wanderers' 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers - saw Phil Parkinson's side drop to third in the table with just three matches of the regular season left to play.

But having played a key role in crunch periods during his career already, James says Wrexham need to embrace being in such a strong position as they look to earn a third successive promotion.

"I've been involved in promotion races that went to the last kick of the season, away at Nottingham Forest for Leicester, so there's so many twists and turns," said the midfielder.

"Football is a tough sport and things don't always go your way, but the position that we're in, it's a great position.

"Let's enjoy that position and embrace the challenge."

Wrexham trail second-placed Wycombe by one point ahead of their next fixture against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Monday (15:00 BST).

Charlton Athletic and Stockport County both remain in the hunt to finish behind champions Birmingham City in the top two this season.

And with the Chairboys facing the Addicks and the Hatters during their run-in, James hopes there will be more twists in the promotion race.

"The club's come so far and when you're in these positions and competing at the top end of the league, it's better than being at the bottom end of the league," he added.

"It's about enjoying it, trying to stay as relaxed as you possibly can and not getting overly emotional.

"It's just about making sure we understand certain aspects in certain stages of the game.

"You can look at the league and it might turn again on Monday. But there's still two more games to be played after that, and hopefully there will be a couple more twists."

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Phil Parkinson urged his Wrexham players to enjoy the situation the club currently finds itself in as he hopes for more twists over the final stages of the League One run-in.

Wrexham drew 1-1 with relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers at the Stok Cae Ras, a result that saw them drop to third as automatic promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers won 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers.

The hosts were well below their best against a Bristol Rovers side that went into the match on the back of six successive defeats and had the worst away record in the third tier.

Parkinson feels his players need to embrace the position they are currently in as they remain firmly in the mix to clinch a top two spot with three games of the regular season left to play.

"I just want the lads to enjoy the situation more than it looked like today (against Bristol Rovers)," said the Wrexham manager.

"We've done brilliantly to be where we are. We're still in a great position.

"Whether we succeed or fail this season, I want us to do it by playing better over the course of the 90 minutes than we did today.

"If that gets us over the line, then great. If it doesn't, at least we've had a real go.

"I said to the lads at half time, 'win, lose or draw today, we've got to come off the pitch and have a bit more inspiration and belief as a team'.

"I just felt we looked like a team with the handbrake on at times."

Wrexham sit just one point behind second-placed Wycombe, although the Chairboys have a superior goal difference.

The Red Dragons return to action against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Monday (15:00 BST).

They then host Charlton Athletic in their final home game of the regular season on 26 April before travelling to Lincoln City a week later.

"There's still three games to go and hopefully there's more twists along the way," said Parkinson.

"We've just got to concentrate on what we've got to do in terms of playing consistently better over the 90 minutes and producing key moments."

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says his nomination as manager of the year is a tribute to his squad and staff - but has put thoughts of awards on hold.

Parkinson, 57, was this week named on a four-man shortlist for the League One honour as Wrexham chase a third successive promotion.

Chris Davies - who led Birmingham City to the title in his first season as manager - is also among the contenders for the EFL prize, alongside Nathan Jones and Richie Wellens of promotion-hunting Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient.

The winner will be announced on 27 April, when potential promotion will not have been decided.

Parkinson - whose side lead third-placed Wycombe Wanderers by a point going into Friday's visit of Bristol Rovers - says the chance of an award is not on his mind.

"It's pleasing to be nominated, but any accolades I get will be through finishing the job off," said Parkinson, aiming for a sixth career promotion as a manager.

"It's great and it's a team effort so it's for the players and staff as well, but right now it's about not getting carried away with anything else other than performances."

Second-placed Wrexham have four games of the season remaining, starting with the clash with relegation-threatened Rovers at the Stok Cae Ras. Wycombe, meanwhile, travel to a Bolton Wanderers side still in with a chance of the play-offs.

"At this stage you know who the opposition are playing - early on you haven't got the time to study everyone's fixtures but as it draws to this stage you do," said Parkinson.

"Wycombe, Charlton, Stockport will be looking at our games, we're looking at theirs, but it's about taking care of our own business and starting on Friday we're going to give it everything to try and do that."