Wrexham player ratings after a massive 5-3 Boxing Day win against Sheffield United to make a winning return to the Racecourse ground.
Hands down, the Boxing Day fixtures across the EFL Championship have a massive potential to deliver all-time classics. Wrexham’s 5-3 win over Sheffield United is a fitting example in which strikers and wingers from both teams played as if they had received a Christmas gift to score more goals.
There was virtually nothing for the defenders in the eight goal showdown, who could only pray for the attacking chances coming near them to not end up in a goal. Honestly, Sheffield United and Wrexham’s attackers couldn’t be more proud of their efforts and somewhere the Red Dragons backline can also cover themselves in collective glory.
Individually, strict measures need to be taken in the Wrexham defence which every fan will hope from Phil Parkinson. But how much room for improvement did the 5-3 Wrexham performance leave?
For that, let’s check out the Wrexham player ratings as Phil Parkinson’s men marked a winning return to the Racecourse ground.
Wrexham player ratings after 5-3 win against Sheffield United
Goalkeeper: Arthur Okonkwo – 5/10
Okonkwo couldn’t do anything on the first Patrick Bamford goal. The second one was again due to poor defensive marking but the third happened due to Okonkwo not commanding his box well during a Blades throw in.
Centre Back: Callum Doyle – 6/10
Doyle was the only centre back on the pitch who was never a culprit on any goal. Following Bamford’s brace, Parky ordered him to mark the Sheffield United striker and he did that very well to prevent Bamford from bagging a hat-trick.
Centre Back: Max Cleworth – 5/10
Much of Wrexham’s poor defending was down to Dominic Hyam. Still, fans expected more defensive maturity from Max Cleworth who sat near Hyam but couldn’t help him handle Bamford’s movement in the first 30 minutes.
Centre Back: Dominic Hyam – 4/10
Hyam makes it two bad games in a row. To be honest, he is a million times better centre back on most days but Championship opponents seem to be targeting him with crosses nowadays.
Almost all goals Wrexham concede are coming from Hyam’s side. If the 30 year old goes poor again at Preston, I fear boss Phil Parkinson might turn to Conor Coady again.
Left Wing Back: George Thomason – 9/10
Josh Windass put it perfectly when he propped Thomason for the Ballon d’Or based on his Blades performance. Two assists, won the penalty for the fifth goal. All in all, Thomason has cemented his place on Wrexham’s left flank and may it doesn’t change in the near future.
Defensive Midfield: Matty James – 7.5/10
Matty James had a miscommunication with Okonkwo on Callum O’Hare’s 3-1 goal. Apart from that, James launched a couple of decisive key passes that led to Wrexham’s goals.
Defensive Midfield: Ben Sheaf – 7/10
Sheaf fired an on target effort that later earned a corner for Kieffer Moore’s first goal. Alongside it, Sheaf progressed the ball further down the pitch for Thomason and Broadhead to create countless Wrexham goalscoring opportunities.
Right Wing Back: Ryan Longman – 8/10
Last week, Longman stepped up for Wrexham with a cross that went for a Swansea City own goal. At Sheffield United, he rose high to fire past a helpless Michael Cooper to set the stage for a thrilling 5-3 finish.
Left Winger: Nathan Broadhead – 8.5/10
Wrexham fans waited to see Nathan Broadhead being involved more in the playing eleven. Whether forced due to injuries or tactically, Phil Parkinson finally gave Broadhead the freedom to spearhead the Dragons wing attack and the 27 year old proved to be a constant headache for the Blades defence.
An assist came here, and let’s hope Broadhead follows it with a goal at home to Preston.
Striker: Kieffer Moore – 9/10
For all the Sheffield United fan banters surrounding him, one must say Kieffer Moore responded perfectly on the night. Two brilliantly taken goals make it a 9/10 though, it could have been a full 10 if not for Moore’s header on Sheffield’s third goal.
Right Winger: Josh Windass – 8/10
Windass wasn’t as active as Moore and Broadhead up top, but did slot a penalty home and forced a Tyler Bindon own goal to start the proceedings for Wrexham.
