What do we still need to seal the deal?

[Redpensioner]

I like everyone else was pissed off with Saturday's performance. The lack of passion, second to everything and ponderous on the ball. This thread is so depressing, just to quote a few, all the back three players need to move on, and the wing-backs not good enough the mid-field can't pass a ball and to top it all people are even questioning Mullin, without this lad we would still be playing Bromley and B/W.

One crap game and we get all this, only a few weeks ago we were putting Notts and Mansfield to the sword, yes Saturday was not acceptable but we are better than that as everyone knows.

[Scribblenütz]

Originally Posted by MJ6987

I was listening to the last FiD podcast with Morrell (recorded pre Accrington) and I felt that the lads were getting a bit giddy and carried away, talking as if it was pretty much plain sailing from now on.

I think the Accrington game showed clearly that this is not the case, and there is no room for complacency if we want to get another promotion

Previously the answer to this question was always “midfield” but we have now largely resolved this area. However, this has served to highlight other areas that still need to be strengthened for me.

These are, in my opinion:

Central defence - some of our defenders are too injury prone, Tozer isn’t getting any younger and Boyle is a clogger.

Strikers - Mullin was always our star player. The podcast above showed that this is no longer the case, with all of them agreeing that Lee is now our standout player and no one else is close. Truth is he’s not the same player since his injury and likely won’t ever be. Palmer is decent but isn’t prolific and Dalby is not quite at the level (maybe still room for improvement though). Fletcher is an impact sub, if he can get fit again (not a given at his age)

Anyone want to differ from the above?

I think the part about questioning Mullin's ability to get back to his pre-injury form is a bit in the sky is falling territory. It seemed that most people believed he wouldn't even be back by now or at least just starting to come back. I'm guessing he's still feeling the effects from that injury and its going to take some more time to get past that and get his confidence back up. He is still massively affecting games even while missing some opportunities we all know he can typically convert.

I also don't know if I'd agree that Lee is our "standout" player. He is certainly one of them, especially with his goal scoring ability while Mullin hasn't been his full self, but I think Evans and Okonkwo would have my vote for best players on this team. Evans ability to control the midfield or his ability to make stops and move the ball from the back when he is needed as a CB, in my opinion, makes him the outfield player most affecting the positives on the pitch. Okonkwo, outside of the error last week, has shown that he has a bright future as a keeper well above L2, even possibly starting for a big five team at some point. He certainly has put his mark on Wrexham working their way up the league standings since those first handful of weeks.

Accrington was a good wakeup call and I'm sure won't be the last collective stinker of a game from the lads. I do fully agree with the implications that Tozer isn't getting any younger and unfortunately, it seems like Boyle isn't living up to his billing and not showing much that he can reach expectations.

I still think Wrexham are very well placed for picking up a couple reinforcements during the window as well as Mullin continuing to get back to full form. I think they could very well end up top 3 and are well positioned for a nice FA Cup run. And if they don't get promoted, they'll have plenty of time to continue gelling as a team and finish it off next year.

[WREX01]

Conn-Clarke is someone we should really be keeping an eye on. Creative , exciting , scores goals. Can play as an attacking midfielder, winger or forward so would give plenty of options. Someone like him , Clarke- Harris and a centre half would seal the deal.

[Scribblenütz]

Originally Posted by Redpensioner

I like everyone else was pissed off with Saturday's performance. The lack of passion, second to everything and ponderous on the ball. This thread is so depressing, just to quote a few, all the back three players need to move on, and the wing-backs not good enough the mid-field can't pass a ball and to top it all people are even questioning Mullin, without this lad we would still be playing Bromley and B/W.

One crap game and we get all this, only a few weeks ago we were putting Notts and Mansfield to the sword, yes Saturday was not acceptable but we are better than that as everyone knows.

Haha. Could't agree much more. I mean, it's one thing to conjecture about what it could take to "seal the deal," especially after a loss like that to Accrington. But, some of these takes are quite hilariously overboard. It was a shit game that certainly showed where some weakness can still lie, but pretty much every player played underneath their capabilities and that just happens sometimes. Move on, start another unbeaten streak, grab some quality insurance in January- good to go.

[Scribblenütz]

I think most of us understand that the team as it is now has a pretty solid shot at promotion. But, I don't mind exploring what it could take to "seal the deal." On the other hand, I am pretty sure most of us are near consensus of what that would entail, at least one striker and a CB. Maybe 2 CBs if we include moving on from Boyle who has been rather disappointing.

So, who would those players be? Is there anyone realistically on the radar? Some players at Championship or Premier clubs that aren't getting playing time that could use a higher than normal profile L2 promotion hunt. Is there any L1/Championship studs on middling teams that R&R should just pony up for to bring in for an expedited hunt for a string of promotions to the Championship?

[Redpensioner]

Originally Posted by Scribblenütz

Haha. Could't agree much more. I mean, it's one thing to conjecture about what it could take to "seal the deal," especially after a loss like that to Accrington. But, some of these takes are quite hilariously overboard. It was a shit game that certainly showed where some weakness can still lie, but pretty much every player played underneath their capabilities and that just happens sometimes. Move on, start another unbeaten streak, grab some quality insurance in January- good to go.

Sorry mate, I'm not sure if you are agreeing with me or disagreeing?

[basdragon]

Originally Posted by Wrexy

Contrast that with Accrington where it felt like 90% of Hayden's forward passes were incomplete

Hayden has a lot of good qualities, but he can't pass wind !

[PeteLExile]

Unfortunately, it always feels to me like we still have a performance like that at the weekend in us; having said that, last season SPM would have converted at least one of his chances and that would have made it a much different game.

[MJ6987]

To clarify, by “seal the deal” I mean get automatic promotion this season.

We have one shot, in January, to address any weaknesses, otherwise I fear that we may end up falling just short, consigned to the Play Offs and we don’t need a Hollywood script writer to tell us how that ends.