Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson will want to revisit the Norwich loss as the defeat afflicts his chances of bagging the Championship Manager of the Month for January.
Following an underwhelming show against Millwall, Wrexham saw Sam Smith’s unlucky streak extend with a POTM defeat. However, while the next FA Cup game allows Smith to bounce back, Wrexham’s hopes of landing a memento recognition aren’t over either.
Wrexham had a spectacular January stint by all standards. Though the Reds saw Sam Smith fall short in the PFA Fans’ POTM vote, boss Phil Parkinson has now earned a nomination of his own.
As per Sky Bet Championship’s official update, Parky has been nominated for the January Manager of the Month. The 58-year-old will compete alongside Kim Hellberg(Middlesbrough), John Eustace(Derby County) and Philippe Clement(Norwich) to bag the award.
Parky would revisit Norwich defeat after EFL announcement
Out of the other three nominees, Philippe Clement’s Norwich has been the one side to get the better of Wrexham in January. While that single defeat afflicted the Reds’ hopes to go unbeaten in January, the 1-2 defeat will be revisited by Parky again now.
While the mid-January defeat introduced the first “L” after 4 consecutive W’s in the league, it has affected Parky’s chances to win the Championship Manager of the Month.
A comparative look at all the nominees’ January tally reads:
Middlesbrough (Kim Hellberg) – 5 Wins out of 6 Championship games and a FA Cup Loss to Fulham
Derby County (John Eustace) – 4 Wins and a Draw out of 6 Championship games and a FA Cup Loss to Leeds
Wrexham (Phil Parkinson) – 4 Wins and a Draw out of 6 Championship games and a FA Cup Win over Nottingham Forest
Norwich City (Phillipe Clement) – 4 Wins out of 6 Championship games and a FA Cup Loss to Walsall
With four wins across all competitions, John Eustace and Phillipe Clement lie inferior to Parky and Hellberg, who have five January wins. If only Wrexham had managed the Norwich win, it would’ve made Phil Parkinson’s case even clearer.
READ MORE: Ex-Wrexham captain says what fans were thinking about Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin
READ MORE: Sam Smith’s poor Wrexham luck continues with PFA January POTM setback
READ MORE: Latest EFL plan spells trouble for Wrexham’s Premier League promotion hopes
That’s because a win over the Canaries would have made it 5 league wins for Parky, the same as Middlesbrough’s Kim Hellberg. Having a draw in the left-over matchday against Boro’s loss, Parkinson would have him leading Hellberg in the points per game metric.
Additionally, Wrexham caused a Cupset over a Premier League side in Nottingham Forest, while Middlesbrough were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham. Not only would a Norwich win have secured an upper hand for Parky against Hellberg, but it would also have stamped his authority over the award.
Will Middlesbrough complete a double over Wrexham?
The PFA Championship Fans POTM results have it that Wrexham’s Sam Smith lost to Boro’s Alan Browne. With them both nominated for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month, it wouldn’t be surprising if Browne drifts past an unlucky Smith for the award once again.
Though this already qualifies as a double, Middlesbrough can now claim a rare seasonal sweep over Wrexham. And all for Kim Hellberg’s chances as the leading favourite to bag the Manager of the Month over Phil Parkinson.
Having won 6 out of their last 6 Championship games, Boro have been the best side by far recently. Having dethroned Coventry from the top, Middlesbrough are eyeing the league title instead of just an automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Considering such a flying high streak, the recognition would come deservedly for Hellberg and side. Though it can mean another heartbreak for Wrexham’s hopes, the Reds can be lucky for a final revenge.
Notably, Wrexham will play Middlesbrough on the final Championship matchday. While the clash could be pivotal in determining the playoff race for Wrexham, it may also decide the title owner between Boro, Coventry, and Ipswich Town.
The best Wrexham can hope for is avenging Boro for the heartbreaks suffered with a win. Who knows, if it goes on deciding a new second division winner instead of the current favourites, Middlesbrough.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
- Ex-Wrexham captain says what fans were thinking about Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin
- ‘Right’ – Phil Parkinson doesn’t wish to repeat Elliot Lee mistake again
- 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
- Sam Smith’s poor Wrexham luck continues with PFA January POTM setback
