Phil Parkinson Anticipates Competitive Match Against Charlton Athletic
Phil Parkinson acknowledges a heightened rivalry between Wrexham and Charlton Athletic following their encounters in League One last season.
The Red Dragons drew 2-2 with the Addicks at The Valley in October, but secured a decisive 3-0 victory in the return fixture at home in April, a win that propelled Wrexham into the Championship.
Charlton, managed by Nathan Jones, also achieved promotion through the play-offs. As the teams prepare to meet at Stok Cae Ras on Saturday at 15:00 GMT, Parkinson expresses excitement for another thrilling match against Charlton.
"It’s going to be a really good game," he told BBC Sport Wales. "I think it’s going to be competitive, and there’s an edge between both teams after our competition last year.
"They’re very similar to how they played last year, maintaining a comparable formation while making some astute signings. They have performed admirably. We know Charlton will be very competitive in their approach, akin to the Portsmouth match in many ways, but we are prepared for that."
Sam Smith's two goals, alongside Ollie Rathbone's early strike, helped the Red Dragons secure their third consecutive promotion under Parkinson by defeating Charlton on April 26.
"That day is hard to surpass due to the drama of the Wycombe result and the overall atmosphere; it was a memorable occasion," Parkinson reflected. "We did celebrate and enjoyed the moment— it was very special."
This Saturday’s match against Charlton marks Wrexham's seventh game in just 22 days across all competitions. Following their 0-0 draw with Portsmouth at Fratton Park, Wrexham chose to stay in the south of England for an extra day before returning to north Wales.
"We stayed down after the game and returned yesterday morning. I was pleased with how that went, especially after getting a result," Parkinson noted regarding the team's recent travels. "The players had a meal together at the hotel and participated in a recovery session in Southampton. I feel we are in good shape under the circumstances."
Considering the demanding schedule, Parkinson is contemplating making adjustments to the lineup for the match against Charlton. "We have to consider everything; there have been numerous games and travel involved. It’s about making the right decisions; if we feel we need to freshen things up, we will. If not, we’ll have the bench ready for when it’s needed."
Long-term absentees Jay Rodriguez, Andy Cannon, Danny Ward, Elliot Lee, Lewis Brunt, and Aaron James remain unavailable for selection.