Phil Parkinson has dropped a legendary Marco Van Basten claim for in-form Wrexham star Ollie Rathbone’s stunning volley in the 2-0 away win over Blackburn Rovers.
It’s now been back-to-back-to-back wins for the back-to-back-to-back promotion winners, Wrexham. And in what better style? As they finally get an away ‘W’ in their opening year game, in quite a long time.
For Wrexham, it was another win that came gift-wrapped with surprisingly simple instructions. But “simple” may not be the perfect word for the Dragon fans, most of whom would have had a meltdown after seeing the starting teamsheet.
Let’s be honest here. It was a lineup no analyst would have gotten a perfect 11/11 on. In fact, let alone that, kudos to whoever got even one department correct, except for the goalkeeping spot obviously.
Sidelining the ever-present Max Cleworth for Scarr, taking out Ben Sheaf for Dobson and the most surprising of all, Nathan Broadhead for O’Brien, felt like the April fools had come early on for Wrexham fans. Little did they know that the next inclusion of Rathbone would change it all.
Not discrediting the complete team performance that followed, but each fan would admit Ollie was the star of the evening.
Pairing up in an unconventional striking duo with Sam Smith upfront, Rathbone did more than he was expected to. Carrying the entirety of Wrexham’s creativity upfront, the 29-year-old dropped many a time to help the side manage a clean sheet.
And man! No description of Rathbone’s display could be complete without mentioning that sizzling volley. A strike so sensational, even the goal of the season feels a lowball mention for that.
Understandably so, while everyone had their jaws dropped at Rathbone’s 2-0 for its aesthetic beauty, boss Parky immortalised the strike with a legendary comparison.
Reflecting on the goal that practically made for Wrexham’s victory, Parkinson couldn’t help but say on BBC: “He got the foul, then he gets a nick on the ball when it comes in and then follows it round from Scarry’s (Dan Scarr) little set to keep in the box. It’s a van Basten finish.”
Yes, you read it right. The gaffer compared Rathbone’s strike by calling it a similar touch to the king of sensational volleys, Marco van Basten himself.
While many Wrexham fans may not have followed the Italian legend in his playing days, every goal you see in his career highlights was a stunner. Especially, that “impossible volley” in the Euro 1998, which has been one of the best goals the sport has ever seen.
Not to sound flattering, but Rathbone’s goal yesterday looked like a modified replica of that shot itself. To say Parky very precisely nitpicked the multiple Ballon d’Or winner’s touch to praise it makes perfect sense.
Rathbone’s teammates need more of his van Basten lessons
Well, fresh off a dominating 2-0 victory like this, the Red Dragons have given fans little to worry about. But improvisations are always possible, and Wrexham players ought to welcome them in a friendly way, too.
Sounding as natural as anyone can, Wrexham’s every goal in their last 3 games has been an absolute beauty. That says for Parky & staff’s hard work, combined with the players’ efforts, but there’s still one finishing aspect that needs to be talked about.
It’s the 1v1 chances, Wrexham have been a bit too lenient on. Barring Ollie’s last game goal against PNE, most fans would need an extensive trip down their memory lanes to recall when the club actually utilised a 1v1 chance this calmly.
Well, that’s what followed yesterday again as Lewis O’Brien missed what could’ve been a fairly easy 3-0 in the bag.
Now, some may say, O’Brien and 1v1 chances have never been a mix. Still, what if other midfielders could upgrade their shooting prowess like Rathbone? Even if not learning the Van Basten lessons from the in-form star, some modest finishing tutorials can help.
Agreed, not everyone would agree on this discussion, but that’s what really turns Wrexham from a brilliant side to a PL-worthy team. Let’s hope the next Derby County shift presents a change with Parky surprising us with his massive improvisations, once again.
