Derby County have made a double announcement before tomorrow’s home game vs Wrexham in the 26th Championship matchday.
Time doesn’t feel real at times. Ten days ago, Wrexham were heading into a festive period stuffed with 4 fixtures inside a week and a half.
Day by day, the club was losing ground in the top 6 race, and a defeat could have spelt the end of Phil Parkinson’s spell in North Wales. Even fans had jumped on the idea of sacking Parkinson, and one can guess the Wrexham hierarchy wouldn’t be thinking any differently back then.
That’s how close the Dragons boss was to getting the axe. But see, 9 days later, everyone from fans to hopefully, the board are fully content with the 58 year old Englishman.
3 Championship wins have come in as many games, and Wrexham’s play style has improved for the better every time. The attackers are chipping in with goals, the defence is becoming resolute with clean sheets and the midfielders aren’t leaving any stone unturned in their job.
Up next, is a Derby County visit before shifting attention to the FA Cup for the first time this season. Not being overconfident, but the way Wrexham’s Cup opponents Nottingham Forest are getting dismantled to defeats in the Premier League, I won’t rule out the Red Dragons pulling an upset there.
Hence, what could possibly go wrong for Wrexham at Derby County? Turns out, the Rams are a surprise package for any Championship team on their day.
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In September, Derby County were massive underdogs when they had to take on a West Brom side sitting in 2nd spot. Pre-game, even their fans would have called it a humiliating defeat in the making but the Rams somehow got away with a 1-0 win.
QPR and Hull City were also daunting challenges in store for them, but Derby County flipped the script again. Fast forward to New Year’s Day 2026, the Rams knocked Middlesbrough off their long-standing 2nd position with a 1-0 win.
Likewise, tomorrow’s hosts will attempt to catch Wrexham off guard on the pitch. Off the pitch, Derby County has sensationally made double announcements just a day before playing Wrexham.
Derby County makes double announcement before playing Wrexham
Firstly, Derby County have spread the word on their new January signing Oscar Fraulo, loud and clear. Breaking down the transfer, it’s a Championship club snatching a Bundesliga talent so obviously the Rams will be on cloud nine at the moment.
How much could Fraulo impact the Wrexham game? Well, it’s hard to predict because the new Derby man has been a forgotten man at his former club for most of the season.
Still, this is John Eustace’s Rams we are talking about. Who knows, Fraulo pulls up a top corner tomorrow evening and leaves Wrexham chasing the scoreboard in the second half.
Secondly, Derby have welcomed their loanee Jake Rooney into the fold. To be honest, this move won’t change the course of the game because there are slim chances Derby will put Rooney’s name on the teamsheet, let alone play him.
But the surprises don’t end just yet. This week, Derby County bagged the services of Dion Sanderson and his participation against Wrexham is almost a given for the full 90.
Had they been unable to count on regular starter Sanderson, Phil Parkinson’s Red Dragons would have a free chance at scoring more goals. Sigh, it isn’t happening.
Wrexham will be without Kieffer Moore, unless an eleventh hour injury boost arrives. Attack wise, it’s shaping as a tough test for the Welsh outfit but nothing is impossible.
Even then, picking Wrexham for a narrow win.
