Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson outlines clear Championship challenge ahead of Preston North End showdown
Wrexham sit three points away from the play-offs ahead of Saturday’s trip to PNE.
Phil Parkinson has sent a clear message to his Wrexham players ahead of Saturday’s trip to Deepdale.
Despite a slow start, the Red Dragons are currently on an impressive run of form and are unbeaten in their previous eight matches.
Among those have been standout victories against Charlton Athletic, Bristol City and runaway leaders Coventry City as well as picking up draws against Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and most recently Blackburn Rovers last Saturday.
This has catapulted Parkinson’s side up the Championship table in recent weeks and now sit just three points away from sixth-placed Bristol City in 10th.
Much more is on the line this weekend, with the Red Dragons hoping to close the gap to the top six, while the Lilywhites will be aiming to maintain their play-off spot.
And although Parkinson is pleased with his side’s run of form, the head coach has challenged his troops to keep chipping away to reduce the deficit to the top six.
Wrexham boss’ Championship challenge
Speaking to the Evening Leader, he said: ‘It's great to be up and around it, and, can we keep chipping away? Can we get into January in a challenging position?
‘We're just going to keep working hard as a group and we'll see where that takes us.
‘This season has been enjoyable so far because you're watching a group of players build together, get to know each other on and off the pitch, and that's all a process.
‘We're well into that now and we've seen some good signs.
‘We're pleased with the run we're on.
‘We'd love to have got three points but sometimes you've got to accept that the positives of the day were that the new lads have come in and had a great taste of us going to the end in games because time and time again here, we've got late winners and we've got a late equaliser.
‘It's so important that we keep that belief and drive to the very last kick of the game.’
PNE’s defeat to Wrexham in August
PNE have already played host to Wrexham this season, with the Lilywhites falling to a 3-2 defeat in the Carabao Cup in August.
Despite Lewis Dobbin and Liam Lindsay giving Paul Heckingbottom’s men a 2-1 lead at the break, the Red Dragons responded after the break through Harry Ashfield.
But there was to be late drama as Kieffer Moore netted a 92nd winner to book a place in the third round of the competition.