Wrexham will play Bristol City on Tuesday following the 1-0 FA Cup win. There are 3 reasons why this Wrexham vs Bristol City clash is a must win game.
Since the 3-2 comeback win against QPR, Wrexham have always kept their feet inside the Championship top 6. The Reds have managed the FA Cup equally well. After the Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town wins, Wrexham lie well in contention to make it beyond the FA Cup 5th round as well incase of an easy draw coming their way.
Even after all this progress, Phil Parkinson’s men don’t have the time for relax in February. The reason being that a lot has happened in the Championship while Wrexham were busy getting over the line against Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town two nights ago.
Before the Ipswich Town match began, the Red Dragons had an eye on the Bristol City away game falling on Tuesday night. Now, 3 reasons have popped up over the weekend that make this Wrexham vs Bristol City clash a must win game for Phil Parkinson’s men.
1. Phil Parkinson wants automatic promotion
During the FA Cup 4th round tie, Wrexham legend Ollie Palmer made an interesting claim about boss Phil Parkinson. Apart from hailing him as among the best EFL managers out there, Palmer suggested that Parkinson will never stop motivating Wrexham to go for the automatic promotion route.
Being real, that’s a strong mindset from Parkinson to never give up while there’s still time left in the league season. However, the automatic promotions are suddenly heating up more than the playoffs race. Coventry City’s recent failings have pushed Ipswich Town and Hull City to try to gain authority at second place.
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Recently, Millwall have also arrived in the automatic promotion frame by pipping Sheffield Wednesday 2-1. The Lions are third at the moment with a 2 point lead over Ipswich Town and Hull City but with more games played. It’s just fair to assume that the latter duo will eventually catch up with Millwall very soon, and that will make life more difficult for Wrexham regarding a top 2 push.
Hence, taking all 3 points over Bristol City is a must. Otherwise, Wrexham may lose more ground in automatic promotion which Phil Parkinson still desires.
2. Increasing playoffs competition for Wrexham
Not only the automatic promotions, but even the playoffs race has less margin of error nowadays. Going 2-0 down to Millwall was always going to upset Wrexham, and Derby County as well as Preston North End have rubbed salt on the Reds wounds.
First, Derby County dismantled high-flying Swansea City 2-0 to go sixth with a point and a game more played than Wrexham. Afterwards, Preston North End also shared the spoils with Watford in a 2-2 draw. That has sent Phil Parkinson’s men sliding down to eighth in the Championship table.
READ MORE: ‘I’m sure’ – Ollie Palmer knows what Phil Parkinson thinks after FA Cup win
READ MORE: Wrexham player ratings vs Ipswich Town: 8/10 duo and Josh Windass stood out
READ MORE: ‘Teach Arteta’ – Wrexham fans aren’t afraid of drawing Arsenal in the FA Cup
A draw at Bristol City will see Wrexham go above Preston but Derby County’s superior goal difference will deny them a re-entry to the top 6. Winning is the only way to sit atop these playoffs rivals, and that must start with wrapping up a victory at Ashton Gate.
3. Wrexham vs Bristol City is a 6 pointer game
The Wrexham vs Bristol City game couldn’t be more important than this third factor. Forget how good the Reds have been and no matter how inconsistent Bristol have appeared in recent months, the two sides sit neck-to-neck in the second tier with only one point separating them.
Ahead of their 32nd Championship matchday, both Bristol City and Wrexham have the chance to win and land inside the top 6 with a possible 49 and 50 points respectively. On the other hand, a draw will leave them as it is or perhaps, even below their current positions should other results not go in their favour.
All in all, this Wrexham vs Bristol City is a 6 pointer clash and the Reds can’t do themselves a better favour than winning this one. Fingers crossed, let’s hope for the 3 points on Tuesday.
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- FA Cup hero Josh Windass names 2 wishes for Wrexham’s 5th round draw
- ‘Teach Arteta’ – Wrexham fans aren’t afraid of drawing Arsenal in the FA Cup
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