Following the FA Cup 4th round win over Ipswich Town, Wrexham fans will agree with Wales legend Robbie Savage’s comments about boss Phil Parkinson.
Celtic legend Chris Sutton tipped Wrexham for a heartbreaking FA Cup night at the Racecourse against Ipswich Town. In reality, the Reds failed Sutton in that prediction. Instead, Wrexham dumped out Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town 1-0 in an almost one-sided contest.
The visitors barely posed any attacking threats near the Wrexham box while the Reds were all over Ipswich Town from the beginning. Ryan Longman and Josh Windass effortlessly found spaces on the right flank, which later led to Windass tap-in home Longman’s cross for the 1-0 strike.
Ipswich Town played their second string defence and there’s no two ways around it. Wrexham were also without 3 game-changers and facing an Ipswich side that still boasted of multiple ex-Premier League and Championship stars.
However, Phil Parkinson’s men coped well with their weaknesses and got one up over the Blues out of 2 Ipswich Town clashes scheduled within seven days.
Wales legend Robbie Savage praises Phil Parkinson
There will be many naysayers and Ipswich Town fans who will attempt to downplay the significance of this 1-0 win. But make no mistake, this performance showed how tactically flexible Phil Parkinson is while adjusting to important games without several key players.
READ MORE: ‘Haven’t’ – Struggling Wrexham star names 2 dreams for 2025/26 season
READ MORE: Celtic legend predicts Wrexham to taste another FA Cup penalty shootout
READ MORE: Wrexham trio set to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland in 2026
Rivals often view the Red Dragons boss as a manager who is bound to fail in bigger divisions. That hasn’t happened so far. Infact, Wales legend Robbie Savage believes the rivals won’t get any such chance to laugh at Phil Parkinson and Wrexham.
In his own words, Savage told TNT Sports: “Probably one of the most underestimated managers, because as I said every time Wrexham get promoted or have a Premier League side, people are underestimating them. He’s done an unbelievable job with this football club and he’s proving people wrong.”
Phil Parkinson’s improved reputation at Wrexham
For players, a run of 5 good performances goes a long way in improving their reputation in the Football League. Managers don’t get the same luxury on the other hand.
Rather, every coach aiming to make it big in Championship needs to have a strong record with a couple of clubs beforehand. In Phil Parkinson’s case, he had a good stint with Colchester United in the third-tier over two decades ago.
READ MORE: ‘Haven’t’ – Struggling Wrexham star names 2 dreams for 2025/26 season
READ MORE: Celtic legend predicts Wrexham to taste another FA Cup penalty shootout
READ MORE: Wrexham trio set to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland in 2026
Then, a poor Hull City Championship stint ruined that. Charlton Athletic was the same struggling story. Things improved for Parkinson at Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers but for the most part, the writing on the wall was that the Englishman was destined for failure above League One.
Safe to say, the past 5 years at Wrexham has helped improve Phil Parkinson’s reputation within the EFL. He has masterminded 3 consecutive promotions while almost always working with a highly changed squad.
How many elite managers can survive a job where the starting lineup’s core is replaced every summer? Hardly, 4-5 coaches in the entirety of the current English football landscape. It’s a matter of pride for Wrexham that Phil Parkinson also belongs to that list.
Apart from the Reds proving their mettle in league football, Parky has brought the magical FA Cup touch to this current squad as well. Last night, Wrexham knocked out Ipswich Town out of the tournament. By Monday, who knows Phil Parkinson’s men might be set for an FA Cup 5th round tie against a Big 6 Premier League side.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
- Wrexham trio set to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland in 2026
- ‘Haven’t’ – Struggling Wrexham star names 2 dreams for 2025/26 season
- Celtic legend predicts Wrexham to taste another FA Cup penalty shootout
- Predicted Wrexham lineup vs Ipswich Town: Which striker to start in FA Cup?
- 3 Wrexham vs Ipswich Town player battles from FA Cup 4th round tie
