AFC Wrexham’s owners, while bringing excitement and global attention to the club, have faced criticism for appearing naive in their transfer strategy.
There’s been a perception that the focus has been on high-profile names rather than on addressing core areas of the squad that require strengthening.
We spoke to Wrexham follower Rich Fay, for the latest.
There’s been a perception that the focus has been on high-profile names rather than on addressing core areas of the squad that require strengthening.
We spoke to Wrexham follower Rich Fay, for the latest.
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00:00FC Rexham owners, while bringing excitement and global attention to the club, have faced
00:08criticism for appearing naive in their transfer strategy. Despite their ambition to elevate
00:14the team, some of their signings have raised questions about their understanding of the
00:19club's need to be competitive and the nature of English football. There has been a perception
00:25that the focus has been on high-profile names rather than addressing the core areas of the
00:30squad that require strengthening. This approach, while well-meaning, has led to inconsistencies
00:36on the pitch and critics argue that a more pragmatic long-term strategy would better
00:42serve Rexham. I spoke to a Rexham follower Rich Fay for the latest.
01:12Do you feel this is one of the first signings where they might have just got it wrong and Rexham fans can see that for what it is?
01:28If they get promoted, I think it's vindicated. The issue is that you look at the longevity of the project, I suppose, and you look at the fact that we've had Ben Foster, you've still got James McLean, you've got Stephen Fletcher.
01:42There's got to come a time where you're investing in younger players who can be developed over the years ahead, who can go to the leagues with you. I guess there is this short-sightedness, which I understand because that is the ultimate goal is to get promoted.
01:54But where's the long-term plan? I think that's what will always be the question of this takeover of the project. Yes, it's amazing. Rexham could still get back-to-back-to-back promotions, three in a row. That is unprecedented.
02:08That is monumental, regardless of the investment. But it's what comes next. Where's the sustainability? Where are these young players being developed? There's a couple in the squad, but I suppose you'd like to see that in attack particularly.
02:20You'd like to see someone who could have been developed a bit more. And last summer, Rexham did break their transfer record on a young striker, Mo Fahle, 22 years old from West Brom.
02:30And now he's fifth choice. He's falling further down the back of the order. He scored a great goal in the EFL Trophy against Peterborough last month, but he's not getting the opportunities.
02:42And there's the argument that says, well, why was he not given a chance in January rather than going out and buying Jay Rodriguez instead?
02:49Just on Rexham and the prospect of being a championship club, obviously very close to the top. It looks pretty set on that they're going to secure the playoff places at least.
03:01I mean, just purely based on what you've seen as a fan, as a sort of podcaster following Rexham this season, do you feel they'll struggle in the championship?
03:11We've mentioned the financial ramifications of it, but just on the pitch, purely with Phil Parkinson's guidance, do you feel they'll be able to compete with the added pressure?
03:21You know, a lot more eyes on them, etc. More games on TV and playing more Welsh clubs as well.
03:27You know, it's a huge prospect to look forward to. If they are to go up, do you feel they'll be able to cope with living in the championship?
03:35In a word, no. I think going up to the championship would be maybe a bridge too far at this moment in time.
03:41Just because you've still got the stadium sort out, you've still got the training ground issues. And like we said, this is very much an ageing squad.
03:48That's the concern. We've spoken that, look, in League One we're buying short-term solutions. If you went up to the championship, you'd probably chase even more.
03:56Rexham's average age of the squad could go up to about 32 or 33 because that's what they know.
04:01They want experience. Players have been there and done that before. And it could almost be too much too soon.
04:06Just because, like we said, you want players who can develop and go up the leagues with you and you want to sustainably build something.
04:13Another promotion would be amazing and no Rexham fan would be booing if that happened whatsoever.
04:18But it could be a very testing time to go up. It is a warning. You know, you can have too much too soon.
04:25But there's a chance of history here now. Rexham fans are just living their best life.
04:31Two years ago, we were playing Dorking Wanderers. We've just gone and played Bolton Wanderers.
04:35We played Huddersfield, got Reading away next week. That's two teams who've been in the Premier League in the last decade.
04:41Can you really complain?