Wrexham star forward Sam Smith looks forward to the increased competition in the attacking department with the signings of Davis Keillor-Dunn and Bailey Cadamarteri.
After a week-long break, Wrexham again continue their promotion charge against Millwall up next. With everything to play for in a potential 6-pointer against promotion contenders Millwall, the post-transfer window developments spice up the excitement for fans.
All eyes will be on Phil Parkinson when the gaffer takes the dugout role before kickoff. With an iconic 150th Wrexham win for him on the line, it remains to be seen how he utilises the January additions brought in.
As an update, new CB Zak Vyner has been ruled out of the Millwall game due to a toe injury. While this delays his debut, the buzz prevails about the starting striker following the recent additions of Davis Keillor-Dunn and Bailey Cadamarteri.
Given Parky’s tactical surprises, only the teamsheet can confirm who gets the go-ahead against Millwall. However, it’s definite that the 2 forward reinforcements have added to the starting role competition healthily.
Recently, star forward Sam Smith expressed his feelings about the challenge of retaining a starting spot. Instead of sounding perplexed or concerned, the in-form striker confidently looks forward to the competition in the team’s benefit.
As quoted by the Leader Live, Smith said on the striker signings: “That is part of being Wrexham and being at a successful club. All you can do is control the controllables, work hard and wait for your opportunity. and take your opportunity when you get it.”
Sam Smith’s confidence complements his form
With 4 goals scored in his last 4 league starts, Sam Smith’s not only been Wrexham’s best, but the most in-form Championship forward lately. It’s for this exceptional spell that he made his way into the PFA Championship Fans’ POTM nominations for January.
Having risen to his current status from starting the season as a backup, Smith’s comeback has been remarkable. That’s not forgetting how he surprised even Wrexham fans with his abilities to succeed at this level.
Despite starring in the 2024/25 campaign, a fair share of fans were unconvinced that Smith would step up in Moore’s injury absence. Fast forward to now, he’s shut all the critics about his finishing and pace issues with consecutive goals in his latest Championship starts.
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Sam Smith’s acceptance of the new strikers’ situation only makes fans appreciate him even more. This is particularly true considering he didn’t pour water on the fans’ excitement for a new forward’s arrival in January.
With his recent message, Sam Smith has engineered a two-for-one success. While his Wrexham praise wins fan support even more, the forward may have reduced his striking competition, actually.
Do Wrexham’s striking recruits strengthen Smith’s case?
On the surface, the deadline day additions of Bailey Cadamarteri and Davis Keillor-Dunn add to Sam Smith’s competition. However, the reality is different, if not completely in favour of Smith.
For instance, Bailey Cadamarteri hasn’t been named in the 23-man updated squad list submitted by Wrexham. While he remains eligible for the Championship matchdays(being born after January 1, 2004), he’s not a concrete option to give Sam Smith a real fight for the starting spot.
If Cadamarteri is a future long-term option trusted by Wrexham, Keillor-Dunn stands untested at the Championship level. Though his EFL prowess is well known, he’s yet to make a debut in the second-tier or above.
With the upcoming games including a 6-pointer against Millwall, and promotion battles against Ipswich and Bristol, it’s unlikely that Keillor-Dunn or Cadamarteri get the starting role soon. The possibility only deteriorates ahead, with minimal experimentation possible in the climax stages of the season.
Ultimately, chances are that Parky relies mainly on Kieffer Moore & Sam Smith as his starting choices. That’s why Smith hasn’t been burdened by competition and holds an exciting second half of the season ahead with his form.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
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- Zak Vyner’s Wrexham debut predicted against his former club Bristol City
- Wrexham vs Liverpool preseason rumours are back two years after 2024 miss
- Wrexham vs Millwall gets 1 minute Championship twist for noble cause
- In-form Wrexham striker earns PFA nomination (fans can help him win)
