Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson wishes for another home draw backed by the club’s invincible record in recent FA Cup campaigns at the SToK Cae Ras.
It’s been a week since Championship action brawled, but unknowingly, the promotion race is picking up pace more than ever. Coincidence? Definitely not, as only one side among the top-6 advances to the next FA Cup round.
With promotion favourites Coventry, Middlesbrough, Preston, Millwall and Watford all out, Wrexham are among the rare ones still competing. And while the implications of such results on a promotion lie in the air, Wrexham weren’t far from being all along their Championship brothers.
That’s because, despite getting a 2-0 lead until half-time in the fixture, Wrexham nearly bottled it big time. A 3-1 goal just saw the homefans biting their nails harder, witnessing themselves inching away from a fairly easy victory.
The suspenseful tension building up across the extra time was hidden from none. And who better than boss Phil Parkinson to explain it, as he didn’t shy away from accepting what felt like a lost game.
As quoted by the Leader Live, Parky accepted: “It was a strange feeling that first period of extra time because there was a massive lull. You could feel the supporters and the players, it was like ‘have we missed our best chance to go through?”
Call it the home fans’ support or fortune’s blessing, another upset on the building Cupset didn’t happen. Ultimately, here are Wrexham fans, wishfully waiting for their next opponents in the 4th FA Cup round now.
Phil Parkinson only wants a home tie in 4th round
Wrexham fans are busy preparing for the odds of pulling out their wanted opponents until the clock hits draw time. Here, the authority man, Phil Parkinson, differs from fans as he hopes for nothing but a home draw again.
When asked for his favourable draw, Parkinson said: “Just a home draw because the enjoyment of being here is something special for our supporters to see another FA Cup tie here, fourth round. So yeah, a home tie if possible.”
Unequivocally, Parky’s wish for home fans originates from the unconditional support they always provide. None can deny how the supporters’ relentless chants played in as the 12th man for Wrexham against Nottingham.
But moving ahead of sentiments, Phil Parkinson’s choice strikes on an overlooked aspect that increases Wrexham’s chances in the 4th round.
That’s because, with Parky at the helm, Wrexham have never seen an FA Cup elimination in front of the home fans. In all of their last campaigns, the Dragons have been knocked off on the road, showcasing an impeccable home record.
Statistically, Wrexham have managed 4 wins and a draw in FA Cup knockouts at home. That single draw was also against Sheffield United while Wrexham still competed as a National League side.
Fair enough to say, Wrexham’s passionate supporters have always got the back of the Dragons. Who knows, maybe, if the English Cup competitions followed the Spanish home advantage system(to lower division sides like in Copa del Rey), Wrexham might’ve donned an even more impressive history.
Nevertheless, fingers crossed for the FA Cup draw. Should Wrexham be lucky enough for another home draw, no one can deny a fairytale Cup run this time around.
