Wrexham expert warns Phil Parkinson against starting ‘outstanding’ ace in one role, he lacks one thing

Wrexham expert warns Phil Parkinson against starting ‘outstanding’ ace in one role, he lacks one thing.

A lot of his new Wrexham players are still being worked out by Phil Parkinson for the starting lineup.

Nine new players joined the Red Dragons at Racecourse Ground during a hectic summer transfer window in 2024.

After joining Wrexham from Charlton Athletic earlier this year, George Dobson has been nothing short of extraordinary.

After making a free move from Premier League team Arsenal, keeper Arthur Okonkwo has been tipped to succeed after making a strong start at the Racecourse.

With the exception of the pair, most summer recruits have not yet fully adjusted to life in Wales.

Dan Scarr, who left the Championship to play in League One, has been candid about his lack of playing time with Wrexham.

Ryan Barnett is also preventing former Aston Villa player Sebastian Revan from playing in the Wrexham starting lineup.

Phil Parkinson sent warning over Ollie Rathbone best Wrexham role

Ollie Rathbone is another well-known figure who hasn’t quite cemented himself into the eleven this season.

Rathbone joined Wrexham last month from Rotherham United, breaking the club’s transfer record.

Even though the record was surpassed again in a matter of weeks, the Red Dragons had to pay a high price for the midfield player.

The 26-year-old has played a number of roles in his six appearances for his new team thus far.

Rathbone has been the number-ten behind the two strikers most of the time.

However, The Athletic’s Richard Sutcliffe, a Wrexham reporter, has cautioned Parkinson against starting Rathbone in that role, saying Elliott Lee is far more appropriate given that the former Rotherham star lacks the goal threat.

“He’d be playing every week for Rotherham,” he stated. Excellent midfielder who can play box to box. The problem is, I’m not really sure what they paid for him to be.

“Because, very obviously, he has appeared up front in a few games, especially for Bolton.

“We’ve seen him thrown in, starting in Cannon’s place, which is basically his role—box to box and hopefully score goals.

And I haven’t seen it yet, but people keep saying he’s kind of like Elliot Lee, that he’s Elliot Lee’s rival.

Elliot Lee has all the cunning, and I don’t think he has the goal threat. If I’m honest.”

Phil Parkinson must heed Ollie Rathbone warning

Parkinson needs to take Sutcliffe’s suggestion, as it is accurate that Rathbone is not a good fit for the number 10 post.

After the game, Parkinson praised Rathbone as “outstanding,” saying the midfield player had come off the bench in the victory over Peterborough United late last month.

It might be costly for Wrexham’s promotion push, though, if the manager tries to start one of the team’s most expensive acquisitions before Lee.

Lee, who is currently the Welsh team’s second-joint leading scorer behind Jack Marriott, is still among their greatest performers.

Parkinson primarily uses Lee in one position, unlike Rathbone, therefore it would be a grave mistake to bench him for the summer signing.

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