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Given the extreme heat of Dubai and their meeting with Pakistan on Wednesday, India could rest a few big names, giving Hong Kong a slightly bigger chance of pulling off something spectacular

The Preview by Karthik Krishnaswamy17-Sep-20181:54

Will new conditions and a shorter format disrupt India?

Big pictureHistorically, India have been clinical dismantlers of Associate opposition. Before Zimbabwe played their first Test match, India beat them five times in five ODI meetings. It was eight out of eight in Bangladesh’s case. And in 27 ODI meetings with all other Associate teams and pre-Test-status Ireland and Afghanistan, they have only lost twice – both times to Kenya.Could Hong Kong do a Kenya on Tuesday? Probably not.But as Kenya discovered in Gwalior over 20 years ago, 45-degree heat can cause strange things to happen. Dubai on Tuesday will be almost as hot. And having played against Hong Kong in that heat, India will return to the same venue on Wednesday to face Pakistan.That could mean India, already without Virat Kohli, rest a few more big names, giving Hong Kong a slightly bigger chance of pulling off something spectacular.Could it happen? Probably not. But the potential for an upset lies in what this game means to the two sides.For India, it is the first of two back-to-back matches in extreme weather conditions, and a potential banana peel in a not-hugely-consequential tournament squeezed into an already packed calendar. For Hong Kong, who have only just lost their ODI status this year, it’s a massive occasion and an exceedingly rare opportunity to face a cricketing superpower.Form guideHong Kong LLLWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
India LLWWWIn the spotlightSince the start of the Asia Cup Qualifiers, Christopher Carter has been playing as a specialist batsman, with the keeper’s gloves going to Scott McKechnie. He made 33 in the final against UAE, but his batting returns otherwise haven’t been great – he’s only crossed 20 once in 10 ODIs, and averages 15.57 in List A cricket. Carter is set to join a flight school and train as a pilot later this year. Before he puts a temporary stop on his Hong Kong career, he’d be itching to end his stint with a big score.Another ODI tournament, same old question for India: what to do with the middle order? In the absence of Kohli, and with MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya settled into the roles of keeper-batsman and allrounder respectively, India will have five batsmen – Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu – fighting for three spots. By the end of this tournament, India may well have a clearer picture of their first-choice middle order. Or not.Team newsThey were brushed aside by Pakistan, but Hong Kong might not make too many changes; they played the same XI for the last three matches of their successful Qualifiers campaign.Hong Kong (possible): 1 Nizakat Khan, 2 Anshuman Rath (capt), 3 Babar Hayat, 4 Kinchit Shah, 5 Christopher Carter, 6 Ehsan Khan, 7 Aizaz Khan, 8 Scott McKechnie (wk), 9 Tanwir Afzal, 10 Ehsan Nawaz, 11 Nadeem Ahmed.Given the 40-degree heat of Dubai, and the fact that they play Pakistan the day after meeting Hong Kong, India might choose to rest some of their first-choice players. That might mean a debut for the left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed. “Excited to see Khaleel play,” Rohit Sharma said in the pre-match press conference. “He’s got what it takes. Pace, swing. Personally looking forward to him doing well.”India (possible): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shikhar Dhawan/KL Rahul, 3 Ambati Rayudu, 4 Manish Pandey, 5 MS Dhoni/Dinesh Karthik (wk), 6 Kedar Jadhav, 7 Hardik Pandya/Axar Patel, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Shardul Thakur, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Jasprit Bumrah/Khaleel Ahmed, 11 Yuzvendra ChahalPitch and conditionsThe match will be held on the same strip that hosted the Hong Kong-Pakistan game on Sunday. Usman Khan, who picked three wickets in that match, said it was the slowest pitch he had ever played on in Dubai. There was grip for the spinners, and India might contemplate playing Axar Patel as their allrounder to complement their wristspin pair of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. With Kedar Jadhav’s low-slung offspin also in the mix, Hong Kong could end up facing a lot of spin.Stats and trivia India and Hong Kong have met once before in ODIs, during the 2008 Asia Cup. In that match, centuries from MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina lifted India to a total of 374 and an eventual win by 256 runs. The only member of Hong Kong’s current squad who played that match is the left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed. Among the 66 batsmen to have scored 2000-plus runs while opening the batting in ODIs, Rohit Sharma has the best average – 54.32. Shikhar Dhawan is seventh-best at 45.72. After 23 ODIs, Kuldeep Yadav has 48 wickets. If he gets to 50 against Hong Kong, he will become the second-quickest Indian behind Ajit Agarkar (23 matches), and joint fourth-quickest overall, alongside Dennis Lillee and Hasan Ali.

Tottenham struck gold with their recruitment into the building this summer, softening the blow of Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich expertly by signing exciting new talents to fit into new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou’s overhaul.

Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro and James Maddison have been early standout performers under the Australian head coach, key components to Spurs’ unbeaten run so far in the Premier League.

Maddison, in particular, has been instrumental, notching up eight goal contributions from ten matches after joining Tottenham from Leicester City for £40m.

The north London hot shots could be in the market for more players this January despite their electric start to this campaign, with Feyenoord attacker Santiago Gimenez linked with Postecoglou’s high-flyers according to reports.

Spurs will have to be cautious in their pursuit of the Eredivisie forward, however, eager to not let history repeat itself.

Vincent Janssen left AZ Alkmaar behind for Tottenham in similar circumstances back in 2016, spectacularly flopping throughout his doomed stay in the English capital subsequently.

Tottenham’s interest in Gimenez

Fabrizio Romano has reported reported, via TEAMtalk that Spurs are interested in the 22-year-old striker as a potential option to strengthen the attack, Richarlison falling down the pecking order even further at the club if this move is pulled off.

The notorious reporter stated: "Something in the region of £39m could be the right fee to make it happen. From what I’m told, Tottenham [Hotspur] scouts have been following the player already last year. They saw that Gimenez is a very good striker… Decisions will be made in the next months.”

Gimenez justifies this price-tag with a sensational 13 goals from just 11 Dutch first-division appearances to date.

Still, Spurs will know too well that potency in front of goal in the Netherlands doesn’t always mean that a similar clinical edge will be apparent when relocating to the Premier League.

Janssen’s nightmare at Spurs

Janssen, who joined Spurs at the same age Gimenez is now, endured a torrid time at White Hart Lane after setting the Eredivisie alight with his goal output.

The misfiring Dutch striker would only manage six goals for Tottenham from 42 appearances, a weak goal return after netting a far superior 32 goals from 49 games whilst at AZ.

The 6-foot forward, who is now 29, has rebuilt his career since this nightmare spell in north London with Janssen the leading man in attack for Royal Antwerp currently.

Gimenez will just pray that he doesn’t fall victim to the pressure of a high-profile move in a similar fashion, hoping to excel in his new surroundings instead of being disregarded as a dud.

Gimenez’s numbers this season

Feyenoord’s lethal talismanic striker continues to be a terrifying prospect for Eredivisie defenders to contain, occupying second spot in the top scorer chart for the league.

The standout display of Gimenez’s season so far came against Ajax, netting three goals against the Dutch titans to give Feyenoord a comprehensive 4-0 win in De Klassieker.

Only registering four shots in the 90 minutes per Sofascore, the Mexico International showcased his prolific nature for his club side to net a devastating hat-trick.

Over the last year for the Rotterdam-based giants, Gimenez has averaged a staggering 8.32 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 minutes according to FBRef – the sign of a striker always waiting for an opportunity to strike from close range, always lurking to finish off a chance.

Tottenham will attempt everything in their power to persuade the 22-year-old to join the North London outfit, hopeful that lightning won’t strike twice when pursuing exports from the Eredivisie and that Gimenez will finally plug the gap Kane left behind up top.

Chelsea received positive news as Cole Palmer returned to training after being forced to miss England's recent friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.

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Palmer absent from England squadAttacker back in training with BluesMalo Gusto also joined his team-matesWHAT HAPPENED?

Despite being included in the squad, Palmer was absent from the England's recent international matches as it was reported he was struggling with fitness issues. However, the 21-year-old was back on the training field on Wednesday, Chelsea confirmed, just one day after the Three Lions' second friendly against Belgium.

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Full-back Malo Gusto also made his return to training in midweek after he withdrew from the France Under-21 team. However, coach Mauricio Pochettino is still without Levi Colwill, Reece James and Christopher Nkunku in training as the trio continue to struggle with injuries.

DID YOU KNOW?

Palmer has been an integral asset for Chelsea since joining the club from Manchester City last summer. He has scored 11 goals and made eight assists in 23 Premier League appearances, making him their most productive player in the English top flight.

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The attacking midfielder will likely be involved when Chelsea take on Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday. They will then start preparing for the clash against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on April 4.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp deserves all the plaudits for crafting illustrious success with the first-team since joining the Premier League club in 2015, but he has also ensured that the academy ranks are producing talents capable of ascending to the fore.

The Reds' vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold is the obvious example, integral in all of the silverware gleaned under the German's management, while the likes of Curtis Jones, Stefan Bajcetic, Ben Doak and Jarell Quansah have all filtered into the squad over the past several years, at different stages.

While not the only talented member of Barry Lewtas' current formative crop, 16-year-old Trey Nyoni might just be the most talented, with the attacking midfielder dazzling in his early days on Merseyside.

Trey Nyoni's style of play

Signing from Leicester City in the summer, Nyoni is a midfielder by trade with incredible ease in attacking movements, demonstrating precocious technical ability over the past several years.

From just four appearances in the U18 Premier League, Nyoni – who qualifies for both England and Zimbabwe's national teams – has already scored three goals and supplied one assist.

Perhaps more impressively, he has featured twice in the Premier League 2 and was "impressive" against Barrow AFC in the EFL Trophy earlier this week – as per journalist Ben Bocsak.

Against senior opposition, Nyoni really did dazzle and blended his creativity with defensive might, winning 80% of his duels; such an all-encompassing midfield game at such an early stage is remarkable and bodes well for his future career.

Indeed, such dynamism is reflective of Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai, who Nyoni has actually outscored in 2023/24 so far, albeit at very different levels.

Dominik Szoboszlai's season by numbers

Liverpool completed the £60m transfer of playmaker Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig in the summer as Klopp looked to recraft his flagging midfield, and the signs this season have been most promising.

Hailed as an "artist" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Hungary captain has posted two goals and two assists apiece from 15 matches across all competitions.

As per Sofascore, the attacking midfielder has completed 88% of his passes in the Premier League, averaging 2.4 key passes, 7.2 ball recoveries and 1.3 tackles per game.

He also ranks among the top 4% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for blocks and the top 7% for clearances per 90, as per FBref, underscoring his tenacious skill and application.

Nyoni is right at the start of his promising career, the fledgling phase, and he will require years of careful management to bring him to the standard that is expected of those in Klopp's first team.

But the talent, undoubtedly, is there, and Nyoni dwells in the perfect climate to continue his development and travel down a path toward prominence.

Like Szoboszlai, he is developing a knack for impressing across the park and will only grow as the months and years roll on, with it certainly not implausible that he will be flourishing under the Anfield lights in a few seasons.

With a natural eye for goal and an all-action ability, he could prove to be an attacking midfielder of every bit the calibre of Szoboszlai in the future, and he is certainly one to watch.

Trabzonspor has hit out at Turkish Football Federation after their fans were banned from attending home matches.

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Trabzonspor hit out at Turkish FA Will play six home games behind closed doors Fans invaded pitch after defeat against FenerbahceWHAT HAPPENED?

The Turkish Football Federation, on Wednesday, ordered Trabzonspor to play six home games behind closed doors after violence broke out during their Super Lig clash against Fenerbahce last month. The home fans invaded the pitch after their club went down 3-2 as they looked to attack the opposition players.

The league also handed Jayden Oosterwolde and Irfan Can Egribayat one-match suspensions for fighting with opposition fans.

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Now the Trabzon-based club had hit out at the country's football federation for handing them severe punishment as they took to X to show their protest. They wrote, "F*ck your justice. Get up from your seats and resign."

DID YOU KNOW?

There were reports of Fenerbahce leaving the Turkish Super Lig altogether as a mark of protest against the disgraceful incident that happened on the pitch of Papara Park. On Tuesday, however, the club members voted against the proposal of withdrawing from the league.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR TRABZONSPOR?

The club will be next seen in action on Wednesday as they take on Konyaspor away from home in a league clash.

The ACA called it “hugely significant” that the cultural review had apportioned significant blame on Cricket Australia for events surrounding the ball-tampering

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-20181:56

ACA will be ‘relentless’ in aiming to overturn player bans

The Australian Cricketers Association has reiterated its call for the bans of Steven Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft to be lifted in the light of the findings of the cultural reviews into Australian cricket.The Longstaff review said the events of Newlands were not a one-off and were caused by the pervading culture of Cricket Australia which the players association called “hugely significant.”Smith and Warner are currently serving a one-year ban while Bancroft was sanctioned for nine months for the ball-tampering scandal in March.”What the Longstaff Review reveals is that Cricket Australia itself must also take a share of responsibility for what happened in South Africa,” Greg Dyer, the ACA president, said. “Yes, this moment of madness was ‘individual’ but now there is evidence and independent verification of system failure as well. This is hugely significant.”With this new information common sense, common decency, basic fairness, proportionality and natural justice demand that the punishment is reduced. The players have already lost time in the game, chances to play for Australia, endured public humiliation and faced massive financial penalties.”My message to Cricket Australia is a simple one: these contrite men have been punished enough. Let these contrite men play.”I add that the ACA will be relentless in pursuing this end.”Finally, I also offer a message to the Australian public on behalf of the ACA. In short, Australia’s cricket players ‘get it.’ We assure you. The players ‘get it.’ The players understand.”A Cricket Australia spokesperson said: “We have seen the Australian Cricketers’ Association press conference and note they will be making a submission to the CA Board in the next 48 hours. We look forward to engaging directly with the ACA in a positive and constructive manner in the best interests of the game.”Speaking in the wake of the publication of the reviews, CA chairman David Peever said there was no chance of the punishments being rescinded.”Sanctions were carried out and imposed by the board after a very full and thoughtful process. So the sanctions stand,” Peever said.On Tuesday, the new CA CEO Kevin Roberts also indicated there would be no early route back for the trio, citing the appeals path that was open to the players when the sanctions were handed down.”There’s no provision to review the sanctions,” Roberts told . “There’s an appeals mechanism which was available to the players before the sanctions were finalized. I really empathise with each of the three players and have chatted with them in recent weeks. They are experiencing a challenging time. They made a serious mistake. I’m getting as many people saying to me the sanctions are too harsh as those who say they aren’t harsh enough. We want to keep supporting the players.”

Brazilian superstar Marta netted Orlando Pride's 200th regular-season NWSL goal as they trudged to a 1-0 victory over the Utah Royals.

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Orlando Pride win 1-0 against Utah RoyalsMarta scores to give them first winGoal was Orlando's 200th in NWSL regular-seasonWHAT HAPPENED?

Orlando Pride picked up their first win of the NWSL season thanks to Marta's goal in the 68th minute of the clash. After the match, the Brazilian intimated that the goal she scored was a record-setter and she celebrated by putting on an imaginary crown on her head, and saying that it was a team effort to get to that record.

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Seb Hines' Orlando side has had an underwhelming start to their season so far as they have only accumulated six points across four games having drawn their first three games. They will be looking to Marta for inspiration yet again this season as the Brazilian veteran is their top scorer in history with 33 goals to her name.

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WHAT NEXT FOR ORLANDO PRIDE?

The Pride will be looking to link together two wins in a row to kickstart their season when they take on San Diego Wave FC at the INTER&Co Stadium on Friday, April 19.

Norwich City managed to get back to winning ways right before the International break kicked in, David Wagner's Canaries coming from behind against Cardiff City to win 3-2 on their travels to the Welsh capital.

Two goals in the final ten minutes for the travelling Yellows secured the dramatic three points, a fortunate Ryan Wintle own goal trickling in to level the scores with Adam Idah then becoming Norwich's hero on the day to score a late winner.

Still, the mood around Norwich is sour – the Canaries are way off the promotion pack near the top of the division, with thoughts in Norfolk centreing on the fact Wagner has just simply bought himself more time to cling onto his precarious job post with this victory.

Wagner can't take all the blame for Norwich's recent woes however, with a number of players falling short of their usual standards this season to contribute to the ongoing mess.

Here are five players taking up 15% of the wage bill in the Canaries camp who could be sweating about their immediate futures in the first team…

1 Onel Hernandez

With the Norfolk-based club since the 2017-18 season, it could be time for the eight-time Cuba international to move on permanently to a new club in the near future.

Hernandez has been shipped out on loan in recent years in the hopes to get him back up to speed, but this season for Norwich as a regular first-teamer again, he is floundering in the Championship when needed.

Averaging a sub-par 6.65 Sofascore rating this season, the once electric winger – who scored eight times during the 2018-19 promotion season under previous manager Daniel Farke – is now largely anonymous in matches with zero goals this term and just one meagre assist next to his name.

Displays against Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough really highlighted Hernandez's current ineffectiveness, the Canaries humbled on their own turf both times with their Cuban midfielder way off the pace – successful with just one of his three dribble attempts against Boro, whilst his display against Rovers saw him dodge defensive duties with only three of his eight ground duels won as per Sofascore.

Hernandez will be fighting for his Norwich career with the January transfer window coming into view, the 30-year-old in dire need of revitalising his faltering time at Carrow Road.

2 Przemysław Płacheta

Similarly, Norwich's Polish midfielder Płacheta is also at a point in his Canaries career where he could be easily moved on.

Signed with high hopes he could be a star down the left wing for Norwich – Płacheta once an exciting up-and-coming prospect coming through at RB Leipzig in Germany – the 25-year-old hasn't ever really got going for the Yellows since making the move from his native Poland in 2020.

Loaned out to Birmingham City last season, Płacheta hasn't arrived back to Carrow Road as a different beast unfortunately and finds himself on the periphery yet again.

Averaging 36 minutes on the pitch for Wagner's underperformers this season as per Sofascore, Płacheta has regularly underwhelmed when substituted on.

Norwich's number 20 was afforded 63 minutes on the pitch versus Coventry City at the start of October, but was more of a hindrance to his side in that draw than an attacking outlet – giving up three fouls in the contest, whilst also only successfully dribbling one out of four dribble attempts versus the Sky Blues.

Płacheta's saving grace could be Jonathan Rowe departing in January, freeing up a left-wing spot for Norwich's number 20 to fill if he can turn around his Canaries career.

3 Ben Gibson

Centre-back Ben Gibson is also fighting for his career in Norfolk, the ex-Middlesbrough defender not covering himself in glory with his displays at the back this season before picking up a foot injury.

His final display before being sidelined was a commendable one, attempting to play the role of brick wall for the Canaries away at Sunderland in a 3-1 defeat, but his other displays from October left much to be desired.

Displays against Leeds United and Swansea City showcased his frailties for all to see, winning only one of his four attempted ground and aerial duels versus the Whites as per Sofascore whilst also being wasteful with the ball away at the Swans with possession lost 11 times.

His usual starting spot in the Norwich backline is now up for grabs, with younger and fresher options such as Jaden Warner given a chance in his place.

It will be intriguing to see whether Gibson does come straight back into the first team when his injury has healed up, or whether he's reduced to a reserve player for the Canaries.

4 George Long

Summer signing Long hasn't made the most of Angus Gunn's absence from the first team in goal, Norwich's usual shot-stopper sidelined much like Gibson with a knock.

His goalkeeping display in the 3-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers recently saw Long have a torrid afternoon, making only one meaningful save all game as per Sofascore with the Rovers forwards buoyed on as a result.

Even in the Cardiff win, Long managed to concede two goals in quick succession – the Bluebirds benefitting much like Blackburn.

With suggestions that Angus Gunn could be back to full fitness for this weekend's second-tier clash versus QPR, it wouldn't be a shock at all to see the Norwich number 12 give his temporary number one spot back up to the returning Scotsman.

He would revert back to a position on the bench again most likely, back-up goalkeeper duties resumed for the ex Millwall man.

5 Adam Idah

It's time now for Idah to step up to the plate for Norwich and become their starting striker, the Irishman who has been with the Canaries as a youngster since featuring in the Academy always playing second fiddle to another figure up top.

Norwich need a new talismanic figure in attack too, especially in the wake of Teemu Pukki departing the Yellows this summer – a reliable replacement for the out-going Finnish icon never found.

Idah will have to fight in order to stake a claim to be the starting striker Norwich desire therefore, the 22-year-old only starting seven games this season for his employers as per Sofascore.

Yet, with his late strike sealing a win away at Cardiff last match, Norwich's number 11 could have played himself into contention for a starting spot against QPR this coming weekend.

He's even scored on International duty with the Republic of Ireland in the break from Championship football, netting versus New Zealand.

A different fielder was involved each time, and the missed chances contributed to the match ending in a close finish

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jan-201910.1 Williamson to Gunathilaka, no run, dropped! Williamson, nearly! Short and wide and filthy. Gunathilaka slashes it straight at Nicholls who tumbles and grasses it at point33.5 Boult to Malinga, 1 run, dropped by Colin Munro at deep square leg well directed bouncer, Malinga was trying to get out of the way while swatting it. Sends it in the air to square leg. Munro is running in and gets to the ball comfortably, but incredibly enough – spills it. New Zealand have just gone slightly ragged since that DRS failure, with Thisara taking charge post that.34.5 Henry to Malinga, 1 run, dropped! Boult running to his right from mid-off can’t hang on as he slides in the mid-on area. He got there and will be disappointed he didn’t take it. Length ball at middle stump, backs away and swings at it. Top edge, doesn’t go too high. Just enough for Boult to have time39.2 Boult to NLTC Perera, SIX, dropped! Williamson at long-off lets it through and it’s six! Highest score for Perera too. That was the match for New Zealand. Full ball at off stump, drills it off the low part of the bat so there isn’t elevation on this. Williamson gets under it and times his jump well too at head height. But can’t get his fingers behind it42.2 Neesham to Sandakan, 1 run, wide of gully. Taylor leaping to his right, one-handed. Oh he’s got a finger on it. But that was difficult. Short outside off and he cut hard at that43.3 Southee to NLTC Perera, 1 run, dropped! Guptill runs in from long-off and puts down a simple one. Looks like he’s damaged his finger too. Runs off immediately. Or is he just embarrassed? Low full toss dipping away outside off. Swings across the line, get s a top edge. Ground made, catch dropped. Same old story.

Phil Parkinson is being backed to ensure that Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney “won’t sign the wrong players” following Wrexham’s latest promotion.

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Red Dragons back into the third tier Hollywood co-owners calling the shots Experienced manager at the helm WHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons have bounced out of the National League and straight through League Two, with third tier football back on the agenda in North Wales for the first time in 20 years. Adjusting to the demands of life in League One will not be easy, as financial and sporting playing fields begin to level out, but Parkinson is considered to be the perfect man to lead the club forward – ably assisted by Hollywood co-owners.

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Darren Pratley, who played under Parkinson at Bolton, has told about getting recruitment right and why a push towards the Championship could be on the cards: “He knows how to get out of the league. He won't sign the wrong players and that is what you need, especially at a club where it looks like they have a good togetherness. You don't want people to go in there and ruin it. You don't want to sign the wrong type of people, who will be going in there for the wrong reasons, so I would not be surprised if they are up there again challenging to get out of League One.”

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Another former Parkinson charge, ex-Colchester striker Chris Iwelumo, added on Wrexham needing to trust their manager: “I just think they have the right man in charge, who is not going to go out there and spend the money as if it is not his, he probably spends as if it is his. But he knows he has that luxury of bringing a better calibre of player than that league warrants. It will be the same next season again. It would not surprise me if they won automatic promotion again next season.”

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Wrexham are among the early favourites to challenge for a lofty finish in League One next season, but there is a lot of work to be carried out at SToK Racecourse before then – with decisions needing to be made on expiring contracts while also making additions that will help to raise collective standards.