TOWN WILL BE NO EASY TEST
WREXHAM BOSS PARKINSON SAYS HIS SIDE MUST IGNORE MARINERS’ FINISHING POSITION
WREXHAM manager Phil Parkinson has warned his players that Grimsby Town’s league position will count for nothing when the sides meet this Saturday.
Wrexham finished 11 points and four places above the Mariners in the National
League this season and head into the play-off semi- finals as favourites to progress to the final at West
Ham’s London Stadium.
While the Welsh club edged out the Mariners back in late January at the Racecourse Ground, a 3-1 win for Town at Blundell Park earlier in the season will be on the minds of Saturday’s hosts.
As will the manner of Tow n ’s comeback victory at Me a d o w Lane on Monday evening when scoring in the dying seconds to force extra time against Notts County before another late goal avoided a penalty shootout and saw the Mariners progress.
Parkinson was at the game on a scouting mission and the former
Hull City boss was impressed with what he saw from Paul Hurst’s men.
Pointing to the task ahead and the level of fight shown by Grimsby to keep their season and hopes of promotion alive, the Wrexham boss has cast aside talk of his team having a major advantage in what should be a tight encounter.
“I went to it and I enjoyed the game,” said Parkinson when asked about Monday’s clash at Notts County.
“I learnt from it. It was a competitive game as you would expect and Grimsby fought very hard. It wasn’t handed to them, and over the 120 minutes I’d say they probably deserved it. The work ethic came through.
“Grimsby were top of the league at the start of the season.
“There are other big clubs in this league who have spent money, Grimsby and Notts County have done and we finished above both teams but that counts for nothing.
“What matters now is 12.30pm on Saturday and having a clear understanding of what is required.”