Wrexham’s remarkable run in the Championship continues to turn heads, as manager Phil Parkinson’s men notched their fourth consecutive victory with a gritty 2-1 win at Derby County. The triumph, coming hot on the heels of a 2-0 away win at Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Day, has propelled the Welsh side to ninth in the table—just a single point shy of the coveted play-off spots. For a club that only recently celebrated a historic third successive promotion, the current form feels nothing short of electric.
But what’s behind Wrexham’s surge? The answer lies in a blend of tactical nous, squad rotation, and the emergence of new heroes in the face of adversity. The busy festive period demanded smart management, and Parkinson responded by shuffling his lineup at just the right moments. The most notable move came with Ollie Rathbone, the club’s reigning Player of the Season, who returned from an ankle injury to star against Blackburn before being rested against Derby.
Rathbone’s story is one of resilience. After a tough first half of the season hampered by injury, he was handed his first league start of the campaign at Ewood Park. Stationed on the right of the front three, the 29-year-old responded with a stunning volley and a man-of-the-match performance, helping Wrexham to a 2-0 victory. Yet, just four days later, he found himself back on the bench as Parkinson made four changes for the Derby clash. The manager’s reasoning was clear: "We didn’t play Ollie because even though he was right up there with our best player at Blackburn, it’s a big ask when you haven’t played for a while and you play nearly 90 minutes to go again. He’s had a difficult first half of the season. I don’t want to get him injured and he put so much into that Blackburn game that it was right just to protect him a little bit."
The decision paid off. Wrexham, despite the rotation, looked sharp and focused from the outset at Pride Park. Sam Smith, stepping into the central striker’s role in the absence of leading scorer Kieffer Moore, opened the scoring with his second goal in as many games. Smith’s recent form has been a revelation. Previously limited to just one Championship start all season—thanks largely to Moore’s dominance up front—the 27-year-old has seized his opportunity with both hands since Moore suffered a hamstring injury in the final game of 2025. Parkinson was effusive in his praise: "When you need players to step in and pick up the baton, Sam’s done that so well. He’s been brilliant. Forget the goals, his all-around displays have been really good and that is what I’m pleased with. Blackburn, he ran in behind, he held the ball up, he defended set-plays and he did the same at Derby."
Smith’s professionalism and work ethic have not gone unnoticed by his manager or his teammates. "It is an absolute credit to his professionalism because he trains so hard every day, he’s always in the gym and his detail of how he prepares himself for games is elite. He’s a great character to have in the group and he’s a good player," Parkinson added. With four goals now to his name this campaign, Smith’s emergence has softened the blow of Moore’s absence and given Wrexham a new dimension in attack.
Derby, to their credit, responded quickly after Smith’s opener, leveling the score in the first half and threatening to turn the tide. But Wrexham’s resilience shone through early in the second half. Midfielder Matty James, who has quietly been one of the team’s most consistent performers, produced a moment of magic with an unstoppable 25-yard drive that found the top corner. The goal not only restored Wrexham’s lead but also capped off a run of four games in which James played every minute—a testament to his fitness and importance to the squad.
Parkinson was quick to highlight James’ contribution: "It’s a very special moment in our season that. Matty has played every game in this four-game period which is outstanding and he was brilliant. He controlled the game for us so well. His game intelligence is a very high level and it’s very special for him to have that moment." Such praise is well-earned. James’ ability to dictate the tempo, break up opposition play, and pop up with crucial goals has been invaluable during this demanding stretch.
The back-to-back away wins have been particularly sweet for Wrexham, who had not tasted victory on the road since mid-September. Parkinson acknowledged the significance: "We had a couple of home wins and we spoke to the lads about getting our away form back on track. We’ve drawn a lot of games and we’ve put in some really good performances. You look at the Middlesbrough game and people might say we’ve kind of sat deep, but it’s never intentional when we’re leading because we’ve always had chances win those games. We’ve had quite a few draws but we’ve turned that into two great wins in the last couple of days."
Looking ahead, Wrexham’s momentum will be tested once more as they prepare to host Premier League side Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round at The Racecourse. The match, set for Friday night, promises to be a real litmus test for Parkinson’s men. There’s also the looming question of Kieffer Moore’s fitness. The Welsh international, who leads the club with 12 goals in all competitions, is still recovering from his hamstring injury. Parkinson offered a cautious update: "We don’t know yet, we’ll just assess him. We’re just going to get him right for the last 20 games."
With the Championship campaign approaching its business end and the FA Cup providing another avenue for glory, Wrexham’s blend of experience, tactical flexibility, and collective spirit has them dreaming big. The likes of Smith, James, and Rathbone have all stepped up when called upon, and the squad’s depth is proving crucial as injuries and fixture congestion take their toll.
For now, though, the mood around the club is buoyant. Four wins on the bounce, a place just outside the play-off spots, and a glamour tie against Nottingham Forest on the horizon—Wrexham fans have every reason to believe that this season could yet deliver more unforgettable moments. As the team continues to defy expectations, one thing’s for sure: Parkinson’s side isn’t done making headlines just yet.