Wrexham’s 2024/25 player of the year Ollie Rathbone makes his intentions clear about a strong Championship campaign.
Few took notice of it, but Wrexham went with a too-good of a matchday perk in the last game against Swansea. Meddling at 28 points with an appreciable points separation from other clubs, the Dragons couldn’t lose anything from their 15th position.
Well, the disastrous way they fumbled this golden opportunity remains another story, though. The result of this is that Wrexham is more tightly pressured than ever, and a slip now can erase their playoff hopes.
That’s definitely not forgetting the squad anomalies they’ve been going through. And if the situation wasn’t complex enough, the difference in their individual missions poses another issue.
No, don’t get me wrong. This in no way undermines the cohesiveness Parky has built in at the Racecourse. Still, while the bigger goal remains a collective win, the players’ varying objectives could have a say in the game against Sheffield United.
Recently, fans got to know about Kieffer Moore’s Sheffield tale and how he will be eager to prove himself in front of Chris Wilder again. The forward would be joined in similar thoughts by striker Jay Rodriguez, given the fans’ negative shout-outs against him.
Remain patient, Wrexham fans, because if that was the scenario upfront, the midfield situation is anything but simple.
Wrexham’s strange Ollie Rathbone case
With James McClean and Lewis O’Brien ruled out, Parky’s left with far less depth than usual. But while this ought to remind him to trust some forgotten names, Ben Sheaf, Dobson, and Thomason may be seen starting once again.
What’s the problem? Shutting down the doors on one of your biggest stars, in Ollie Rathbone.
Agreed, the midfielder’s season has been far from ideal, with an extensive midfield roster slowing his comeback further. Yet, it might be finally time to hand him some minutes for how eager he is for an opportunity.
Recently, in a media appearance, Rathbone expressed how much he looks forward to game-time and Championship starts once again. As quoted by the Leader Live, he said: “The two years I had before joining Wrexham were both in the Championship. I played about 80 games at this level, and it was the level that I really wanted to stay at.”
Such words coming from Wrexham’s 2024/25 Player of the Year winner represent anything but certainty in EFL football. Still, past things past, what’s essential is that Rathbone comes back to his usual best.
Should Rathbone start for Wrexham on Boxing Day?
Scoring a memorable equaliser against Watford on his injury return, Rathbone shut down all critics questioning his place in this Wrexham side. Exactly, this quality to perform on the big occasions makes him an ideal shout-out against the Blades.
Having accumulated 5 wins & a draw in the last 7 matchdays, Sheffield United has outperformed league leaders, Coventry, statistically. And if Wrexham don’t wish to suffer the way their promotion brothers, Birmingham, did against Wilder’s side, they’d better change & improve.
A bold change of bringing back Ollie Rathbone for George Thomason.
In all honesty, Thomason has stepped up well for Wrexham in midfield recently. But with Rathbone near his ideal game rhythm, thanks to the short yet effective Swansea cameo, the 29-year-old needs to be given a nudge above for his experience.
Be it with an overall performance, or with a crucial goal against Charlton for sending Wrexham to the Championship, Rath’s been an all-time hit in the biggest of games. And what better than an occasion against Sheffield? With the club knocking the best of sides for fun.
Ultimately, it remains in the hands of Parky on who to start. But whether Rathbone gets appreciable minutes or not could have a crucial say in this game.
