Wrexham star midfielder Ollie Rathbone expresses how close they are to a possible Premier League promotion at the end of the season.
Fresh off a dominant 2‑0 win in the Welsh derby, Wrexham head into the Watford clash brimming with confidence. While every matchday counts in the gruelling Championship promotion race, this game comes with special significance for the Reds.
That’s because a win against Watford would give Wrexham another chance to leapfrog Hull City and strengthen their playoff push. Even though Wrexham have missed a couple of previous chances to climb to 5th spot, the Reds will be determined to finally make the jump.
Wrexham players are eager to make the most of this opportunity. Star midfielder Ollie Rathbone recently connected this very game to the prospect of Premier League promotion.
As quoted by Wrexham AFC’s official club website, Rathbone mentioned, “We could be 12 games away from being in the Premier League, which is incredible. But we’re very much set on just focusing on the next game and seeing where it takes us.”
Rathbone’s Premier League claim thrills fans
Wrexham players and staff have maintained a low profile regarding Premier League promotion talks for most of this Championship campaign. Despite pundits tipping them to outperform multiple top‑flight clubs, the Reds have stuck to their “just focus on the next game” policy.
Though the strategy remains unchanged heading into the final stretch, Rathbone’s recent words have been music to fans’ ears. The in‑form midfielder’s comments underscore just how close the club now stands to its long‑held Premier League ambition.
As things stand in the Championship table, Wrexham are favourites to make it to the playoffs despite clubs like Southampton trying to catch up.
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If the Reds confirm their likely playoff spot, Wrexham will play at least 11 games until the end of the season. This includes the remaining nine league games apart from the two playoff semifinal legs against the side that finishes 3rd.
Whether Wrexham go all the way to the Wembley final remains to be seen. But Ollie Rathbone’s confidence suggests the belief within the squad to make it happen is very much alive.
Time and again, Wrexham have pulled off some iconic fightbacks this Championship season. If they keep drawing inspiration from Sunderland’s story, Wrexham could well find themselves in the Premier League next season.
Timing of Ollie Rathbone’s claim feels poetic justice in itself
Wrexham’s 2025/26 Championship campaign can be seen as a story of two contrasting halves. The turning point of their season was their previous fixture against Watford back in December 2025.
Wrexham stood in the 14th spot before the Watford game. Given the Reds’ form, they felt destined for a mid-table finish in their return to the Championship. At that time, Ollie Rathbone’s stoppage-time equaliser on his injury return instilled hope that a turnaround was possible.
Though Wrexham had been known for squandering points earlier in the season, this was one of the rare occasions they managed to salvage a crucial point in a 2-2 draw.
Fast forward to now, Wrexham prepare for the Watford game in completely different circumstances. That’s because the Reds have completely transformed their fortunes within months.
First of all, Wrexham have seen a massive jump from the 14th ranking to the 6th spot in the Championship table. Additionally, Ollie Rathbone’s latest comments sum up how close they feel to Premier League promotion.
If Wrexham do reach the Premier League this season, Rathbone’s season‑turning equaliser, and this very statement before the Watford game, deserve a place in the story. Maybe a special segment in the fifth season of Welcome to Wrexham? Fans would love it.
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