Wrexham

Image source, BBC Sport

Wrexham let a two-goal lead slip on Saturday as they were instead forced to settle for a point at the Stok Cae Ras against Sheffield Wednesday.

Two goals from Kieffer Moore looked set to give Phil Parkinson's side a first win in the second tier of English football in 43 years.

Second half strikes from Barry Bannan and Bailey Cadamarteri mean Wrexham's wait for a first league win of the season continues.

Having picked up just one point in their opening three Championship games, Wrexham are outside the bottom three on goal difference alone.

While it is still early on, do you as fans have any concerns for the season ahead? And where do you think Wrexham will finish come May?

Have your say here!

Newly-promoted Wrexham will look for their first points of the Championship season when they face fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (15:00 BST).

With the Owls still in deep financial trouble, they will aim to build on what manager Henrik Pedersen described as "a good learning" during the 3-0 loss to Stoke City as they target their first points of the season.

• This will be the first league meeting between Wrexham and Sheffield Wednesday since the Yorkshire side won 4-0 at Hillsborough in the third tier in January 2005.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won each of their last three away league games against Wrexham, after failing to win on any of their first four visits to the Racecourse Ground (D2 L2).

• Wrexham will be looking to avoid losing their opening three league games of a Football League season for the first time since 1981-82.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won each of their last three away league games against newly promoted opposition, as many victories as across their prior 23 fixtures combined between April 2017 and March 2024.

• Wrexham's Kieffer Moore has won more duels than any other player in the Championship this season (25/41), but has managed to find the back of the net just once in eight prior meetings with the Owls in the Football League.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil Parkinson says he is pleased with Wrexham's business so far in the summer transfer window after the club had to "fast track" their recruitment to ensure they are competitive in the Championship.

Prior to their Championship contest with Sheffield Wednesday in north Wales on Saturday (15:00 BST), defender Callum Doyle became Wrexham's 10th signing since gaining promotion from League One.

And Parkinson believes the new additions will help to improve those who have played a part in Wrexham's rise from the fifth tier National League to the second tier.

"I'm pleased with the recruitment," said Parkinson.

"It's always difficult when you're making so many changes that people come in at different stages of their pre-season.

"It's going to take a while for all of the new lads to bed in, but it's the quality level we feel we needed to bring into the club.

"That's going to enhance the boys that have been on this journey with us... Ryan Barnett and Max Cleworth - two boys who were with us in the National League and are now playing in the Championship, which is a great tribute to those who have stepped up well so far."

Parkinson is continuing to explore the market with a view to being active prior to the 19:00 BST deadline on Monday, 1 September.

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Wales international Jordan James (pictured) and West Ham United's Scottish midfielder Andy Irving are among the latest names to be linked with a switch to the Stok Cae Ras.

Following three successive promotions, Parkinson feels the club have been "playing catch-up" in a bid to ensure they have been ready for each next step of their journey under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

"It's a bit like when we were in the National League, we had to fast track quickly in terms of the quality level in the squad because we were up against established National League teams who had been in the division and building squads for a long time," added Parkinson.

"Now we're in the Championship, we've come up so quickly we've had to fast track the quality level as well.

"So it's a similar scenario but it's a more expensive one - but then coming up the divisions generates the money that has enabled us to do that.

"We're a club always playing catch-up and to do that the recruitment has got to be quicker, and more of it, for want of a better word, to try and make sure we're competitive for this level."

Image source, Rex Features

Liberato Cacace and George Thomason are nearing returns after sustaining injuries early in their Wrexham careers.

Left wing-back Cacace, an eye-catching summer signing from Empoli in Italy, was injured during his first Wrexham appearance as they lost at Southampton on the opening weekend of the Championship season.

Thomason, another new recruit, has not yet played for the Welsh club since joining from Bolton Wanderers.

Wrexham are also without Josh Windass - who signed from Sheffield Wednesday during the off-season - for around six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained during last Saturday's home defeat by West Bromwich Albion.

"People come in at different stages of their pre-season. I think Josh Winnass is a great example of that, who obviously came to us on the back of a disrupted period at Sheffield Wednesday through no fault of his. Subsequently he's got injured, which was a shame," said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson.

"Libby [Cacace] gave so much in that Southampton game. He wasn't training with Empoli, he was on his own so, when he joined us, he missed a chunk and sometimes that kind of catches you up a bit. He's just got a slight hamstring tweak, nothing too serious.

"If the game last week was a cup final, last game of the season, it's one we may have been able to just play him in.

"So we've just got to be cautious at this stage of the season because I feel he's going to be a really good signing for us and he's shown it already.

"And George as well, just came in, moved to a new club, training may be slightly different to what he's used to and just a slight nick in the tendon in the top of his thigh and it's just taken longer than we anticipated to get right.

"But he's shown really good signs as well in that period he's trained with us and it won't be long before he's back."

Midfielders Ollie Rathbone and Andy Cannon and forward Jay Rodriguez remain sidelined with longer-term injuries.

Wrexham are close to completing the signing of Manchester City defender Callum Doyle in a deal worth £8m. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

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We asked for your thoughts on Wrexham's start to the season after the 3-2 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion, leaving Phil Parkinson's side without a point after two games back in the Championship.

Here are some of your comments:

Stuart: "This is exactly the challenging start Wrexham fans were expecting - it's a harsh but stark reality of the step up in division and let's not forget the fixture list could be much easier as a transition! I have faith Parkinson will be able to keep them grounded - and the new signings have the experience to support the dressing room.

Andrew: "While disappointed, it's early days and believe the new players will strengthen the way we need to adapt to a higher level in the Championship. Another strong central defence player is required and a real test will be next weekend as we play Sheffield Wednesday who are without a point in their first two games. Come on the Town."

Andy: "When a manager brings in a lot of new faces, it takes time for them all to settle in. We seem to have got that, but when you add it to the much better league then it's going to be tough. We have shown the fighting spirit we will need this season but just now to demonstrate the quality needed to do well. Both disappointing results but after 43 years still very happy with where we are.

Bob: "It never was going to be a walk in the park. Give the manager three months to show he can operate at this level before making any more changes. The Championship is a whole new ball game and the easy days are gone."

David: "Early days, two top teams played against. I don't think there is any crisis yet, but I do have doubts about the number one spot; I don't think Ward is good enough who was at fault for WBA's second and third goals."

James: "The team is far from the finished Championship article but the players are still sussing each other out and show obvious quality in all areas across the pitch. We may not get that 'Back-to-back-to-back-to-back' fairytale promotion this season but I've seen enough in this team already to feel that we're going upset a fair few teams. In Parky we trust!"

Steve: "Phil Parkinson must try other ways of playing instead of playing the long ball up to Kieffer Moore and hoping for the best. We're far too predictable. The fans can see it, why can't he?"

Walt: "A tough baptism against quality sides. We are not far away from settling down and picking up some points. We have played 180 minutes in probably the most difficult league in football to get out of, so not disheartened with what I have witnessed."

Andy: "We've played two title contenders and not been outclassed in either of the games. The difference at this level is that you need to take your chances or you get punished. We could miss two or three opportunities in the leagues below and still win the game, but not at this level. I think we'll be fine though; I've seen enough to suggest we'll win more than we'll lose and stay up."

Image source, Rex Features

George Dobson is bidding to learn from midfield partner Lewis O'Brien following the summer signing's impressive start to life at Wrexham.

Dobson and O'Brien have started alongside Matty James in a midfield three in both of Wrexham's opening two matches of the Championship season.

O'Brien - who joined on a permanent deal from Nottingham Forest - was among the star performers in the 2-1 defeat by Southampton on the opening day while he netted his first goal for the club in the 3-2 loss to West Bromwich Albion.

And Dobson admits he has been impressed with O'Brien since the 26-year-old made the switch to the Stok Cae Ras.

"He's a top quality player," Dobson said of O'Brien.

"You can tell why he's played at a high level and the way he manoeuvres the ball in tight positions.

"His athleticism of being able to cover such high distances - it's something for me to look at and help improve my game.

"I'm really enjoying playing alongside him and long may it continue."

Phil Parkinson has regularly recruited experienced players from higher levels since becoming Wrexham boss in the summer of 2021.

Internationals Kieffer Moore, Nathan Broadhead, Danny Ward, Liberato Cacace and Conor Coady are among those to make the switch to north Wales during the course of the summer.

And Dobson feels O'Brien typifies the type of qualities Wrexham wish to have in their ranks.

"The dressing room has still got the same real strong core of brilliant characters," added Dobson.

"The gaffer has always recruited not just good players but really good people and that hasn't changed.

"It's like anything, when there's a lot of change, it's always going to take a little bit of time. but we can't make any excuses with that, we've got to deliver now."

Image source, Rex Features

Phil Parkinson says Wrexham need "a couple more" additions to their squad as the manager seeks to be active in the final stages of the transfer window.

The Dragons have already brought in nine new recruits during the summer, but they are still without a number of players due to injury.

New Zealand international Liberato Cacace missed the 3-2 loss to West Bromwich Albion with a hamstring issue while Josh Windass was forced off in the first half against the Baggies.

Andy Cannon, Ollie Rathbone, George Thomason and Jay Rodriguez are yet to feature this term as they continue to recover from injuries while left-back Jacob Mendy and striker Ollie Palmer are among those who could yet depart prior to the 19:00 BST transfer deadline on 1 September.

"We're looking across the board. We probably do need a couple more players, we're looking at that," said Parkinson.

"It's ongoing, it's obviously busy for all managers and clubs at the moment when you're preparing for games and looking to improve the squad.

"The lads we've brought in at the moment are really good and I'm pleased with the way they've settled in."

Ryan Hardie, Danny Ward, Cacace, Kieffer Moore, Nathan Broadhead, Windass, Conor Coady, Lewis O'Brien and Thomason have all made the switch to the Stok Cae Ras this summer.

Image source, BBC Sport

Wrexham have had a tough welcome to life in the Championship, with one-goal defeats against Southampton and West Bromwich Albion to start the campaign.

Phil Parkinson's side are not alone, they are one of five teams to be without a point after two Championship games.

They have also had to face two sides with promotion aspirations, and were not outclassed in either match.

After a 2-1 defeat at St Mary's Stadium to start the season, Wrexham returned to the Stok Cae Ras for two games this week.

Two injury-time goals from Ollie Palmer helped Wrexham come from 3-1 down against Hull City to force a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, a shootout which the north Wales side would go onto win.

But hosting a second-tier game for the first time since 1981-82, Wrexham were beaten 3-2 by the Baggies on Saturday - and suffered an injury to Josh Windass in the first half.

The step up to Championship life was always set to be the most challenging for Wrexham, so how would you assess their start to the season?

Have your say here!