Former Wrexham Captain Ben Tozer’s message echoes what club fans have been feeling about Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin’s criticism for lack of game time in their final phase.
Recently, Wrexham fans witnessed pundit Paul Merson backing Millwall for a Championship playoff promotion. While they’ve lived through pundit claims for Wrexham, too, the reason for Merson’s confidence in the Lions must have caught them off guard.
That’s because Paul Merson’s support stemmed from his place of feeling for Millwall. Having seen himself live his best moment of the career at the Den, Merson emphatically wants the Lions to go up after a long PL wait.
In Wrexham’s case, expecting external vouches hasn’t come in handy during either of their promotion successes. Here’s where a known figure, former Captain Ben Tozer, has stepped up to give his wishes to Wrexham.
As quoted by Fearless in Devotion, Ben Tozer said: “My remit was to get the club to League One. At 34 it was then time to hand it over to someone else. You take the shirt off someone, do a better job and then hand it on to the next one. That’s the way it is and hopefully they’ll be in the Premier League soon.”
The latter part of Tozer’s message is self-explanatory for Wrexham’s ceilingless PL ambitions. However, the former half of the club hero’s message would remind fans of Elliot Lee & Paul Mullin’s ongoing standoff with Wrexham.
Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin were wrong to criticise Wrexham
Statistically, Elliot Lee & Paul Mullin’s contribution to Wrexham’s story is second to none. Not even to former Captain and fan-favourite leader Ben Tozer. However, the way Tozer didn’t prolong or complain about his Reds tenure shows why he’s regarded as one of the best Wrexham stars ever.
Having played his part in the Wrexham story, Tozer didn’t stick around unnecessarily. When he realised his job was completed, he left for Forest Green and retired a year later without chasing any hype or spotlight.
On the other hand, there has been the case of Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin. While the best way to bid bye to the fans before departure could have been a heartwarming farewell, the duo ended up creating a fuss due to the lack of trust and game time at Wrexham in their final months.
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Going by Ben Tozer’s words, Lee & Mullin should’ve ideally paved the way for their successors now. Even otherwise, the duo’s aim at Phil Parkinson and Wrexham makes limited sense, considering the sequence of events.
Track records prove that Elliot Lee’s Championship experience has been limited. While that demanded a reliable option in Josh Windass, Lee could’ve still played some considerable minutes this season if not for his early-season injury.
Coming to Paul Mullin’s case, the forward’s speciality has been well known to be for lower tiers up to League Two. Even then, Wrexham handed him sufficient chances in the third-tier last season. Still, he failed to capitalise on them and was replaced by a younger option in Sam Smith.
That’s why the duo’s criticism of insufficient chances in their final phases of the Wrexham spell isn’t apt fundamentally. While the duo built a huge fandom with their sporting contributions, it remains unknown if they get the farewell they previously deserved.
Which Wrexham players can move on next summer?
With former Wrexham Captain Ben Tozer’s call, it isn’t ruled out that some club legends pave the way to youngsters this summer. While this list includes Elliot Lee & Mullin, they’ll be partnered by at least one more player.
The player in discussion is forward Jay Rodriguez. Having played the limited part he was asked for in Wrexham’s story, the 36-year-old’s spell at the club maybe nearing an end.
Though a backup last season and the third choice before January, Davis Keillor-Dunn’s arrival pushes him down the pecking order. With already 3 quality forwards in Moore, Smith & returnee Keillor-Dunn, it’s highly likely that Rodriguez bids bye to the fans as his contract ends this summer.
Another name that could be making a move is Ryan Barnett. Having been a character in the Wrexham fairy tale since Ben Tozer’s days, the full-back had been crucial in the club’s back-to-back-to-back promotions.
However, the emergence of Issa Kabore has reduced Barnett’s role to a 3rd choice behind him and Longman. With his occasional appearances limited to Cup games, Barnett can opt for a move to get regular game time in the upcoming summer.
Come one year later in the summer of 2027, and Barnett could join the long list of Wrexham heroes who’ve bade goodbye to the club.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
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- Latest EFL plan spells trouble for Wrexham’s Premier League promotion hopes
- ‘Manage’ – Phil Parkinson rings good news for Wrexham but at FA Cup risk
- Arsenal legend drops Championship playoffs prediction (it’s not Wrexham)
- Sam Smith’s poor Wrexham luck continues with PFA January POTM setback
