Wrexham’s assistant manager, Steve Parkin, hailed their 2-1 comeback victory against Sheffield United as one of the most significant outcomes during Phil Parkinson’s tenure, keeping their Championship playoff ambitions alive.
After suffering a 3-1 defeat to Watford just days earlier, Wrexham needed a strong response at Bramall Lane, where they initially struggled against a Sheffield United team that took the lead with a goal from Andre Brooks in the 49th minute.
However, Sam Smith assisted former Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass, who equalized against his old team, before scoring a dramatic winner in the 78th minute. The celebration was electric among Wrexham’s players and staff at full-time as they remained level on points with sixth-placed Southampton.
– Swansea expresses concern about Wrexham coverage: Felt like ‘afterthought’
“In the five years we’ve been here, this is definitely among our top 10 games that we had to win,” Parkin remarked. “We needed to maintain our momentum after the Watford match. Some dismissed us, considering our injuries and absentees, but the team’s effort to recover psychologically against a strong opponent after Tuesday was impressive. This win is right up there for us.”
Wrexham’s aspirations for a fourth consecutive promotion remain very much alive. They will face West Brom away after the international break, followed by a home match against Southampton.
“Our goal is to be part of the playoff race at the end of the season,” Parkin stated. “We want to be in contention. We have exciting fixtures coming up against top teams, which is crucial for us.”
“Why wouldn’t we want to compete in a division that’s remarkable for its attendance and thrilling matches? It’s important for us to be in the mix, which is why this game carried such weight.”
On the other hand, Sheffield United is now without a win in four matches and finds themselves 13 points away from the playoffs, their hopes of a miraculous playoff run dashed after failing to exploit several early opportunities created by Patrick Bamford and Harrison Burrows.
Chris Wilder commented, “Wrexham found a way to win, showcasing their quality, while we found a way to lose. In the first 10-15 minutes, they created some chances. From there on, we controlled possession and had the majority of opportunities, but we must capitalize on our good play.”
“It’s normal to see a reaction after taking the lead, but we should have been more decisive, especially given we were dominating for half an hour and the first phase of the second half.”