3 midfield solutions Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson can try to replace the injured Ben Sheaf in the starting lineup.
Wrexham are in the early phases of Championship life without defensive midfielder Ben Sheaf. The £6.5m star was ruled out of the campaign when the week began, and since then, the Reds have suffered an exhausting league game against Portsmouth.
Elsewhere, Coventry City fans are smiling at this situation because they know how tough it is to deal with Sheaf’s absence. Had the Ben Sheaf injury update arrived a month ago, Wrexham would have gotten at least a transfer window to find a like-for-like midfield replacement.
Boss Phil Parkinson and the Reds board don’t have that luxury at the moment. As a result, it’s time for Wrexham to find Ben Sheaf replacements from within the existing squad itself. On that note, below are 3 midfield solutions boss Phil Parkinson can try to replace the injured Ben Sheaf.
3 midfield solutions for Wrexham to replace Ben Sheaf
1. Sticking with George Dobson
Starting things off with the most obvious choice, George Dobson. Like Sheaf, Dobson is a natural fit for the defensive midfielder’s role Phil Parkinson demands in his 3-4-2-1 formation. The biggest difference lies in defensive work rate where Sheaf has good pace while Dobson struggles to keep up against a dynamic midfield setup.
READ MORE: Wrexham fans will love Championship announcement for Charlton Athletic game
READ MORE: Phil Parkinson hints one defensive change vs Charlton Athletic (it makes sense)
READ MORE: ‘Back’ – Wrexham survive major scare before away Charlton Athletic trip
On the other hand, Dobson’s passing range is far better than Sheaf and his 4 assists compared to Sheaf’s zero back that fact. Right now, Phil Parkinson is sticking with George Dobson as a pivot and the same will be expected until atleast the Charlton Athletic trip.
2. Matty James injury return
If Wrexham don’t see George Dobson as a reliable alternative ahead of the backline, then waiting for Matty James injury return will be the safest bet. The 34-year-old versatile midfielder has stayed fit and firing for the Reds all season until he injured his toe early in the 2-0 Millwall defeat.
With Sheaf, James mainly assumed the creator’s role in the middle of the park. His agility isn’t much impressive but James has an eye for quick passes that basically compensates for it.
Also, no Wrexham fan will forget that Parkinson used to pair Matty James and Lewis O’Brien together at the beginning of the season until Sheaf was bought from Coventry City. It was only then that O’Brien was moved forward and Matty James as well as Ben Sheaf were deployed as central midfielders.
READ MORE: Wrexham fans will love Championship announcement for Charlton Athletic game
READ MORE: Phil Parkinson hints one defensive change vs Charlton Athletic (it makes sense)
READ MORE: ‘Back’ – Wrexham survive major scare before away Charlton Athletic trip
Currently, Lewis O’Brien has hit his season-best form. Ollie Rathbone and Josh Windass are scoring key goals in the No.10 role, so it makes perfect sense to revert back to the Matty James-Lewis O’Brien duo. But it all depends on Matty James return date in the first place.
3. Wildcard Ben Sheaf replacement
Over to the last but a wildcard Ben Sheaf replacement plan. It’s widely known that injuries keep plaguing the Wrexham squad, sometimes in attack and occasionally in midfield as well. Even in-form man Lewis O’Brien limped off against Swansea City in December and missed the following two games due to it.
Touchwood, but there can be a scenario when Wrexham might miss Lewis O’Brien or Matty James, perhaps both for a bunch of games. George Dobson can fill one midfield role, but Phil Parkinson will need to come up with a wildcard solution to fill the second slot afterwards.
If that happens, bringing George Thomason in his traditional central midfield position will work like a charm. Centre-back Callum Doyle operates almost on the left flank everyday, so performing the left-back role won’t be odd for him. With Doyle leaving the back three, Zak Vyner can be instated as a starter alongside Dom Hyam and Max Cleworth.
That way, Wrexham’s 3-4-2-1 structure will remain the same without playing players out of position.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
- Wrexham fans will love Championship announcement for Charlton Athletic game
- Phil Parkinson hints one defensive change vs Charlton Athletic (it makes sense)
- ‘Back’ – Wrexham survive major scare before away Charlton Athletic trip
- Wrexham fans won’t like club legend’s verdict on FA Cup Chelsea tie
- ‘Too hard’ – Eoghan O’Connell makes chilling League One claim about Wrexham
