Wrexham

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Phil Parkinson hopes Wrexham can draw a Premier League club at the Stok Cae Ras in the third round of the EFL Cup after overcoming Preston North End in round two.

Ryan Hardie's sublime strike cancelled out Lewis Dobbin's early opener at Deepdale, although the Lilywhites regained the lead through Liam Lindsay's header from a set piece.

Harry Ashfield equalised prior to the hour mark in Lancashire before substitute Kieffer Moore won it for the visitors in the second minute of added time with what was his third goal in two games.

Parkinson is now targeting a scalp against a top-flight side next time out - where Wrexham will be competing in the third round for the first time since the 1981-82 season.

"I think the time is ready for us to get a Premier League club at home," he said.

"We've had some decent cup wins and we haven't really pulled out that big team at home. I think the law of averages says this is our time."

Parkinson changed his entire starting XI following Saturday's frustrating 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday - a game in which his side led 2-0.

And the 57-year-old felt several players took their chance to impress against Paul Heckingbottom's outfit in the EFL Cup on Tuesday

"Football never changes, competition for places is key," added the Wrexham boss.

"Players when they get the chance have got to step up to the plate and let their football do the talking.

"It's a good night's work for us, a lot of lads came in, we made 11 changes.

"I think you've also got to look at the players who weren't here tonight. [Liberato] Cacace's coming back, George Thomason, Josh Windass. Nathan Broadhead wasn't even in the squad.

"So the squad is getting to where we want it to be, and a special mention to Callum Doyle as well - I thought he was terrific for us."

Image source, Getty Images

Harry Ashfield hopes to play "as many games as possible" this season as he bids to impress in the EFL Cup this week.

The 19-year-old's sole appearance so far this season came in Wrexham's first round penalty shootout victory over Hull City in early August.

But - having been on the bench for his side's Championship fixture with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday - Ashfield is expected to feature in round two of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night as Phil Parkinson's side take on Preston North End at Deepdale (19:45 BST).

When asked about his aims for the season, the youngster said: "Obviously to play as many games as possible, just showcase what I can do and help the team when needed.

"He [Parkinson] just wants me to show what I can do on the pitch when he gives me the opportunity.

"Being on the bench the other day was a good moment, I just want to push on and it means everything.

"I just learn in training from the players we've brought in and then push on. Hopefully I'll play as many games as possible this year.

"It's an exciting time to be at the club."

Image source, Getty Images

After three games without a win we asked where you think Wrexham will finish in the Championship table this season, and whether you had any concerns about relegation.

Here is what you had to say.

Phil: As long as we do not go down it is a positive move towards our future. I predict a mid-table finish with a healthy dose of reality to help prepare for our future.

Rob: As good as the back-to-back-to-back promotion form was and such an achievement, the Championship is a different level. The club has invested but we have to be realistic. Anything 17th and upwards is a massive achievement.

Karl: When we are back to full strength, we will be better equipped to climb the ladder, however the playoffs may be out of reach by then. A mid table finish is more likely, but football is a funny game and you never know until it's over.

Chris: It's been a difficult start to the season but the display at Southampton, patches of play against West Brom and the first half display against Sheffield Wednesday give me confidence that we have the players we need to compete in the Championship.

Jon: The results this season are more like Wrexham sides of the past and it's the first real testing time for Rob, Ryan and Phil Parkinson. The results are not concerning yet, but if points don't start to tick over we will be in a difficult position to get out of. We really need to keep our promising starts right to the end of games.

Audrey: Wrexham have to find their feet, a few games more and they will be running rings round other opponents. Finish in the top half of table this year and win it next season.

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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.