Wrexham ready to focus on Trophy and play-offs as Parkinson praises fans
WREXHAM AFC manager Phil Parkinson reflected on his side’s defeat at Dagenham and also praised the club’s vocal travelling supporters.
The Dragons fell just short in their bid to win the National League title as they slipped to a 3-0 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge whilst rivals Stockport County beat Halifax Town to clinch the title.
Parkinson’s men put in an uncharacteristically poor performance at Victoria Road and must now pick themselves up ahead of some vital matches in the next 12 days.
Wrexham play Bromley in the FA Trophy final at Wembley next Sunday before taking on either Grimsby Town or Notts County in the play off semi-final at the Racecourse the following weekend.
Sunday’s Trophy final will mark the fourth occasion in nine years that the Dragons have played at Wembley.
They will be hoping for a better outcome than on the previous two visits, with the Reds losing to Newport County in the 2013 National League play off final and were defeated by minnows North Ferriby United in the 2015 FA Trophy final.
Phil Parkinson admitted it had been a disappointing ending to the league campaign for his side, but he was looking ahead to the massive games to come over the next fortnight.
The Reds boss also paid tribute to the club’s fans who were exceptional in their support of the team at Victoria Park, even at 3-0 down.
Parkinson said: “It was a tough day for us. Today wasn’t our day but we’ve got some big games coming up now, we’ve got a terrific one next weekend.”
“Obviously they knew Stockport were winning, they could see the spirit had gone out of the lads which you don’t want to happen but in a way it’s understandable.
“It’s a great honour to be on the touchline with support like that, the fans were outstanding for us but they have been all season.
“We want to produce for them now in these next three games - hopefully three games - you can’t take anything for granted.
“We’ve got to where we are together, it’s been a really good journey to this point, but hopefully there’s going to be a really good ending to the story.”
In terms of team selection, Parkinson said he and his backroom staff will assess the players before making a decision on team selection ahead of the final.
He will have one eye on the play off semi final, with the Reds boss having previously said that promotion is the priority for his side.
He said: “Like I said there’s a few players who’ve been carrying a few knocks today which we patched up and got them out there.
“So I’m going to look at them - myself Steve (Parkin) and Kev (Mulholland) and we’ve got to look at all scenarios and make sure everybody is ready.”