Sheffield United clashes serve as example of what Wrexham are all about, claims Phil Parkinson
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson believes his side’s meetings with Sheffield United have served as example of what the Red Dragons are all about.
Parkinson’s men have enjoyed a remarkable rise through the English football pyramid, aided by strong financial backing from Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham did battle with Sheffield United twice during the 2022/23 season’s edition of the FA Cup, when the clubs were separated by three divisions.
The fifth-tier underdogs took the second-tier Blades to a replay, eventually succumbing to a 3-1 defeat after a 3-3 draw.
Wrexham were reunited with the South Yorkshire club in December after their promotion to the Championship, emerging as 5-3 victors over their new league rivals.
With the sides set to lock horns again at Bramall Lane this weekend, Parkinson has been in a reflective mood.
Wrexham journey typified
As reported by the BBC, he said: “The Sheffield United games as a separate entity since we've been here have been a great indication of what the club is all about.
"The cup games were incredible days for us. The draw here and then we went to Bramall Lane and everyone thought our best chance had gone. We went so close to winning there against, at the time, a team top of the Championship.
"Then, over Christmas we played Sheffield United, and bearing in mind they were play-off finalists last year - we conceded goals in the early part of the game and came back really well.
"I think they're good examples against Sheffield United of what everybody's tried to instil here of how we want to be reflected."
Play-offs the goal for Wrexham
Not only are Wrexham and Sheffield United now in the same division, Parkinson’s men are above Chris Wilder’s side in the table.
The Blades sit 15th with eight games left to play and the Red Dragons are flying high in seventh. The latter are level on points with sixth-placed Southampton and a win in South Yorkshire could push them back into a play-off position.
Parkinson said: "Ideally we would want Southampton to drop points, but they didn't. But this weekend is about one almighty effort from all the squad, all the staff and all the supporters.
"This game takes us into a two-week break. It's right up there, I feel, in terms of importance of games, not just this season, but since I've been here. I'll always include the supporters in that.
"Bramall Lane is an amazing arena to play at. Their supporters will be vociferously behind the team and I know our supporters are going to play their part.
"As a team and a staff, we've got to be ready to finish this block of games off and bring us back into the last seven games with a great chance."