Wrexham boss backs Hollywood-owned club to cope with unique FA Cup status

06 January 2024 , 20:30

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Phil Parkinson is backing Wrexham to handle the status of favourites against Shrewsbury (Image: Paul Greenwood/REX/Shutterstock)

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson insists his players can handle the pressure of being favourites to knock out League One neighbours Shrewsbury Town.

League Two Wrexham are at short odds with all the major bookies to claim another FA Cup scalp despite the gap in status. Last season the North Wales club won at Championship Coventry City and were just seconds away from sending Premier League bound Sheffield United packing.

Added pressure since Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney came on board comes with the territory says Parkinson. “We don’t mind the expectation if some people are making us favourites,” he stated. “We are a team used to playing with expectation on our shoulders.

“Every league game away from home is a sell out while at home there are big expectations. We feel we have created a team with the mentality and the strength of character to cope with that.”

Once again the live TV cameras will be in residence as Wrexham make the short trip into Shropshire with Parkinson believing his players are now comfortable with being in the spotlight.

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“Last season playing in front of the live TV cameras was a bit of added pressure but I believe that experience benefitted us when we were playing Notts County or Boreham Wood, real pressure promotion games at the end of the season,” he added. By then they were used to it and this time again in front of the live TV cameras they will have to deal with that extra bit of exposure – and I am sure we will – and play our best.

“In all my time as a manager I have never known a cup run not benefit a team. It’s great for the local area. It’s a break from the 46 league games you play in a season. The switch off from league football can do everyone good.

“With the history we’ve got in the competition we have to respect the FA Cup. We will be picking a team we think is the best to get a result.”

John Richardson