Rejecting the chance to secure Sheffield United’s in-form Patrick Bamford on a free transfer is turning as a silly Wrexham transfer mistake.
One game against Sheffield United, and Wrexham will surpass half of their Championship schedule for the 2025/26 season. Time flies, as many people say but for Wrexham fans, time seems to race away like anything.
It was only August when all of the visiting Red Dragons were excited to catch a first glimpse of Wrexham in Championship action after decades. Five months prior, it’s rehearsal time for “Phil Parkinson out” because nobody knows how soon the Englishman will get showered with those chants at the Racecourse.
Being as impartial as I can, Wrexham’s higher ups need to take a leaf out of Birmingham City’s book until the time permits for improvement.
Let’s face it. Every team makes mistakes somewhere or the other, however the ones learning a lesson for the future only have the chance to become better.
Wrexham failed to prepare a precautionary shortlist of Parkinson alternatives for when the time calls, but it’s not the only terrible call they’ve made over the summer. The Red Dragons have gone silly in player transfers with summer buys like Conor Coady and Ryan Hardie already looking a poor decision in hindsight.
Rejecting Patrick Bamford didn’t age well for Wrexham
Fortunately, Dominic Hyam and Kieffer Moore were snapped up later to not leave the squad in a big mess but one more wasted opportunity doesn’t sit right. Rejecting free agent striker Patrick Bamford, who was a part of Wrexham’s rumour mill as late as August.
From the outside, he was a former Premier League star and an English international which is exactly the kind of dream profile Wrexham can’t afford to turn down. Even after that, Bamford’s rare goalless and injury ridden 2024/25 season sounded a quiet no from the Red Dragons chiefs.
More than a majority of the Wrexham fans must have guessed that the Bamford rejection wouldn’t turn out well. If you shared the same beliefs back then, congratulations. Bamford has proven you right.
The tall centre forward got himself an eventual contract at Sheffield United, whom Wrexham will face next. In a Blades shirt, Bamford has played seven games and found the back of the net thrice so far.
Taking into account that he walked in a side struggling for wins and battling relegation, that 3 goal return in a short span becomes further impressive.
For Wrexham, saying the Bamford call has aged badly is a wise conclusion. Until one realises, it could become even more worse if he bagged another strike for Sheffield United at the Racecourse in 4 days time.
Funny enough, there’s an unpopular argument to be made that had Kieffer Moore stayed at former club Sheffield United, the Blades may not have come calling for Bamford. Who knows, then the Wrexham fanbase would be rooting for the latter instead of our big man Kieffer Moore.
Having both at the Racecourse in peak scoring condition would have sent Wrexham fans in Premier League dreamland.
Wrexham have an uphill task against Sheffield United’s attack
The club passed on the chance, and the main aim on boss Phil Parkinson’s mind should be to nullify Bamford and other Blades frontmen’s impact in the coming encounter.
With the return of coach Chris Wilder, Sheffield United’s attacking output has grown exponentially. The Blades have showered multiple 3-0, 4-0 thrashings in the past two months so keeping them away from Wrexham’s goal is another important side quest.
That’s because no matter how good Parkinson sets the crew and corrects some questionable substitutions, the match will be basically done and dusted if Sheffield United puts 2-3 goals past Arthur Okonkwo within the first half of play. Hoping for a comfortable Wrexham evening on Boxing Day.
