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By halting their poor run with a home victory against Stoke City, Wrexham fans can once again dare to dream about their side's playoff ambitions.
A dip in form had come at the worst possible time for the Red Dragons, who dropped to seventh following three consecutive games without a win. Their debut season in the Championship has largely been a triumph, but with a potential Premier League place dangling within reach, it would be a significant letdown if the Hollywood-backed Welsh club failed to reach the post-season.
A 2–0 win over Stoke marked Wrexham's first victory since the international break, and saw them exact revenge for the Potters' win in the earlier meeting. It was a match with few genuine scoring opportunities, with the visitors unable to muster a single shot on target. Goals from Josh Windass and George Thomason within minutes of each other in the first half secured all three points for the hosts, who comfortably kept Stoke at bay after the interval.
There's still plenty to do for Phil Parkinson's squad, but the playoff picture looks considerably brighter following their return to winning ways.
Wrexham Standings: EFL Championship Table After 43 Games
Place | Team | Points | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Coventry City | 86 | 43 |
2 | Ipswich Town | 76 | 42 |
3 | Millwall | 76 | 44 |
4 | Southampton | 75 | 43 |
5 | Middlesbrough | 73 | 43 |
6 | Hull City | 69 | 43 |
7 | Wrexham | 67 | 43 |
8 | Derby County | 66 | 43 |
On the same weekend that Coventry City sealed their Premier League return after a 25-year wait, Wrexham found themselves sitting in seventh place. They have accumulated 67 points from 43 matches and are pursuing sixth-placed Hull City for the last available playoff berth.
Southampton's impressive recent form has put them well clear, and Middlesbrough look unlikely to be reeled in with so little of the season remaining, despite their own struggles of late.
Birmingham City dealt a blow to Wrexham's playoff aspirations by defeating them at St. Andrews the previous weekend, but have since inadvertently done the Red Dragons a favour. The Blues drew at Hull City on Saturday, meaning Wrexham's win reduced the gap between themselves and the Tigers to just two points.
Derby County are also firmly in contention. The eighth-placed side sit just one point behind the Welsh club after narrowly defeating Oxford United over the weekend.
Hull, Wrexham and Derby's Remaining Championship Fixtures
Hull City (6th, 69 points) | Wrexham (7th, 67 points) | Derby (8th, 66 points) |
|---|---|---|
Leicester vs. Hull (April 21) | Oxford Utd vs. Wrexham (April 21) | Norwich vs. Derby (April 21) |
Charlton vs. Hull (April 25) | Coventry vs. Wrexham (April 26) | QPR vs. Derby (April 25) |
Hull vs. Norwich (May 2) | Wrexham vs. Middlesbrough (May 2) | Derby vs. Sheffield Utd (May 2) |
Of the three clubs battling for the final playoff position, Wrexham undeniably face the most demanding run-in. Nevertheless, the Red Dragons showed resilience in overcoming a tough test against Stoke, rebuilding confidence ahead of their last three matches.
An away trip to relegation-threatened Oxford United appears their most manageable fixture on paper, though the hosts' desperation could make it a gruelling affair. After that, Wrexham face title-bound Coventry before hosting Middlesbrough at the Racecourse Ground on the final day—two daunting assignments to close out the campaign.
Hull City will fancy their chances of collecting six points from their next two fixtures, as they travel to face 23rd-place Leicester City and 19th-place Charlton Athletic. They then round off their season at home to Norwich City, who haven't entirely given up on the playoff race themselves—though it would require something extraordinary.
Derby also have Norwich on their schedule before the curtain comes down, alongside matches against mid-table Sheffield United and QPR.