Now – Wrexham AFC are on the brink of securing a third promotion in as many seasons, with their incredible rise through the English football pyramid continuing to make headlines around the world.
We discuss how the club might adapt this summer, what a more measured approach could look like, and why this transfer window could be a defining moment in Wrexham’s continued rise.
We discuss how the club might adapt this summer, what a more measured approach could look like, and why this transfer window could be a defining moment in Wrexham’s continued rise.
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00:00Now, Wrexham AFC are on the brink of securing a third promotion in as many seasons with their incredible rise to the English football pyramid, continuing to make headlines around the world.
00:13Driven by the ambition of owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, their story has blended Hollywood flair with on-pitch success, but a potential leap into the championship brings fresh challenges.
00:25So far, Wrexham's transfer strategy has focused on proven experience, signing established names to help guide the club through English League 1 and 2, but to complete in the championship and build for long-term stability, that approach may need to evolve.
00:42Wrexham may need to start thinking about younger players with resale value, smarter recruitment and long-term squad planning if they want to establish themselves at the next level.
00:52We discuss how the club might adapt this summer, what a more measured approach could look like and why this transfer window could be a defining moment in Wrexham's continued rise.
01:05Yeah, do you feel maybe, obviously, there's no secret that Wrexham have splashed the cash, they've invested big in these players, dropping down to League 1 to help them out.
01:16Do you think maybe the Jay Rodriguez signing was a bit of a rush, a bit of a possible mistake that could come to bite the Wrexham owners?
01:23Obviously, they've come out and said, you know, running a football club so hard, they've made no bones about the fact that it's, you know, pointing out that it's almost like throwing money down a black hole, I think Rob McElhenney said.
01:37So, do you feel this is one of the first signings where they might have just got it wrong and Wrexham fans can see that for what it is?
01:44I think it promoted, I think it's vindicated.
01:47The issue is that you look at the longevity of the project, I suppose, and you look at the fact we've had, you know, you had Ben Foster, you've still got James McLean, you've got Stephen Fletcher.
01:57There's got to come a time where you're investing in younger players who can be developed over the years ahead, who can go to the leagues with you.
02:04And I guess there is this sort of short-sightedness, which I understand because that is the ultimate goal, is to get promoted.
02:10But where's the long-term plan?
02:12I think that's what will always be the question of this takeover, of the project.
02:17Yes, it's amazing.
02:18And Wrexham could still get back-to-back-to-back promotions three in a row.
02:23That is unprecedented, that is monumental regardless of the investment, but it's what comes next.
02:28Where's the sustainability?
02:29Where are these young players being developed?
02:31There's a couple in the squad, but I suppose you'd like to see that in a tap particularly.
02:37You'd like to see someone who could have been developed a bit more.
02:39And last summer, Wrexham did break their transfer record on a young striker, Mo Fahl, 22 years old from West Brom.
02:46And now he's sort of fifth choice.
02:48He's falling in further down the back of Northern.
02:50He scored a great goal in the EFL Trophy against Peterborough last month, but he's not getting the opportunities.
02:58And there's the argument that's saying, well, why was he not given the chance in January rather than going out and buying Jay Rodriguez instead?
03:04Yeah, just on Wrexham and the prospect of being a championship club, obviously very close to the top.
03:13It looks pretty set on that they're going to secure the playoff places at least.
03:17I mean, just purely based on what you've seen as a fan, as a sort of podcaster following Wrexham this season.
03:23Do you feel they'll struggle in the championship?
03:26We've mentioned the financial ramifications of it, but just on the pitch, purely with Phil Parkinson's guidance,
03:33do you feel they'll be able to compete with the added pressure, a lot more eyes on them, et cetera, more games on TV and playing more Welsh clubs as well?
03:43You know, it's a huge prospect to look forward to.
03:46If they are to go up, do you feel they'll be able to cope with living in the championship?
03:52In a word, no.
03:53I think going to go to the championship would be maybe a bridge too far at this moment in time,
03:57just because you've still got the stadiums sort out, you've still got the training ground issues.
04:01And like we said, this is a very much an aging squad.
04:04You wouldn't even, that's the concern.
04:07We've spoken that, look, in League One, we're buying short-term solutions.
04:10If you went into the championship, you'd probably chase even more.
04:12The average age of the squad could go up to about 32 or 33, because that's what they know.
04:17They want experience.
04:18Players have been there and done that before.
04:19And it could almost be too much too soon, just because, like we said, you want players who can develop and go to the leagues with you,
04:26and you want to sustainably build something.
04:29Another promotion would be amazing, and no Wrexham fan would be booing if that happened whatsoever.
04:34But we played Huddersfield, got Reading away next week.
04:37That's two teams who've been in the Premier League, you know, in the last sort of decades.
04:42Can you really complain?