Wrexham's Preseason Opener: Who Shined and Who Struggled

Wrexham kicked off their preseason schedule with a promising goalless stalemate against Wisła Kraków over the weekend.

Phil Parkinson's squad acquitted themselves well on Polish soil, with Arthur Okonkwo denying a second-half spot kick to secure a well-earned point. It was a fruitful start to the summer, as 22 players earned valuable game time against a side already four preseason friendlies into their preparation.

Far more demanding challenges lie ahead, with four fixtures against Premier League sides still scheduled before Wrexham return to competitive action next month. Nevertheless, Parkinson will take satisfaction from the groundwork his team laid in Kraków, despite some inconsistent individual showings.

Here are the early standouts and disappointments from Wrexham's opening preseason fixture.

Winner: Davis Keillor-Dunn

Wrexham paid an initial $2.7 million to acquire Davis Keillor-Dunn from Barnsley in the January transfer window, but his opening months at the club raised serious doubts. He managed just 117 league minutes across six substitute outings and quickly dropped to fifth in the queue for attacking midfield spots.

Sports Illustrated reported last month that Parkinson planned to give Keillor-Dunn every chance to prove himself during preseason despite mounting transfer interest. He seized that opportunity against Wisła Kraków.

The 28-year-old combined play effectively, pressed relentlessly without the ball and consistently sought to create danger in the attacking third. It served as a well-timed reminder of his capabilities and hinted that he could still contribute meaningfully this season despite his sluggish start at the Racecourse Ground.

Loser: Conor Coady

Eleven months ago, Wrexham's pursuit of Conor Coady appeared to be a marquee signing. Now, it threatens to become one of the club's most underwhelming pieces of business. Restricted to just six senior outings before joining Charlton Athletic on loan in January, the former England international looks set to depart again this summer.

The frustrating reality is that Coady remains an exceptional leader and consummate professional. He performed well during his previous loan stint in a defensive midfield role, albeit at a Championship club operating under far less scrutiny than Wrexham. Against Wisła, however, he reverted to his preferred center back position and never appeared fully at ease.

It was only a preseason friendly, but Coady looked short of sharpness and struggled to slot naturally into Parkinson's defensive setup. His predicament serves as yet another reminder that even the most exciting signings carry inherent risk, and it is growing increasingly hard to envision a path back into Wrexham's plans for him.

Winner: Zak Vyner

On the topic of defenders deployed in midfield last season, Zak Vyner found himself in the opposite situation to Coady. After joining from Bristol City in January, Vyner was used predominantly in midfield before injury curtailed his campaign. Against Wisła, he finally had the chance to operate in his natural center back position—and immediately demonstrated why Wrexham were keen to sign him.

The 29-year-old put in a composed, authoritative display, defending with aggression while also highlighting his ability to build from the back. Assured in possession and calm under pressure, Vyner looked ideally suited to Parkinson's back three.

Wrexham had originally targeted Vyner before switching their attention to Dom Hyam last summer, and his showing in Kraków indicated he will push strongly for a starting berth. If anything, it served as an early signal to the club's other center backs that he is far more than mere squad cover.

Loser: Ryan Hardie

Wrexham fielded 22 senior players against Wisła Kraków. Ryan Hardie was not among them.
Despite arriving just a year ago as Wrexham's first signing following their promotion to the Championship, the 29-year-old already appears to be on his way out.

Hardie made the trip with the squad but remained unused throughout, even as Parkinson rang the changes at the interval. That felt especially significant given that players such as Elliot Lee, Ryan Barnett and Conor Coady—all of whom face uncertain futures—were still handed minutes.

He currently sits behind Kieffer Moore and Sam Smith in the striker pecking order, while Bailey Cadamarteri, Davis Keillor-Dunn, Harry Ashfield, Josh Windass and Nathan Broadhead all provide further competition in attacking areas.

With another forward still anticipated before the transfer window shuts, it is becoming ever harder to identify where Hardie fits within Wrexham's setup.

Winner: Alex Moore

Wrexham took several academy prospects to Kraków, but teenager Alex Moore was the only one to see action.

The 19-year-old, primarily a central midfielder, was utilized as an improvised wingback and delivered one of the afternoon's most encouraging displays. He performed with maturity, tactical discipline and considerable energy despite being asked to operate in an unfamiliar position.

"Special mention to Alex Moore," Parkinson said following the game. "We played him out of position, and I thought he was excellent."

After a successful loan stint with Colwyn Bay earlier this year, Moore is anticipated to spend another season away from Wrexham to further his development.

While his immediate future likely lies away from the club, his display indicated he remains very much part of Wrexham's long-term thinking. It also reinforced a familiar theme under Parkinson: if a young player shows enough quality and application, chances will follow.

Loser: Wingback Depth

If one position underscored Wrexham's need for new additions, it was wingback.

The club opted against making Issa Kaboré's loan permanent after last season, while Liberato Cacace's debut campaign was hampered by injuries that restricted him to just 13 appearances.

That left Parkinson turning to Ryan Longman, Ryan Barnett, George Thomason and Moore in Kraków, with none of them naturally suited to the position.

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Longman is expected to stay on as a useful squad option, while Thomason can offer emergency cover on the left. Barnett and Moore, however, are both likely to move on during the window.

The senior wingbacks struggled to make a meaningful impression, with limited attacking threat and erratic delivery in the final third. There remains plenty of time left in the transfer window, but Saturday's outing was a further reminder that wingback continues to be Wrexham's most pressing priority ahead of the new campaign.