Wrexham

Image source, PA Media

Lewis O'Brien believes Wrexham benefitted from having "hard chats" in the aftermath of their 1-0 loss to Sheffield United.

Players and coaches held a meeting following the defeat by the Blades after boss Phil Parkinson urged everyone connected to the club to hold themselves to account for the lacklustre display at Bramall Lane.

The Red Dragons responded in impressive fashion by beating Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Racecourse Ground three days before holding Wolverhampton Wanderers to a 1-1 draw in north Wales.

"I think we had to look at ourselves, deep down. It was a tough couple of days," said O'Brien.

"We all had to stand up and say that we weren't good enough as players, as staff and as coaches.

"The way everything was going, it didn't seem right, it didn't seem like Wrexham.

"We've had those hard chats, we've come out the other side and hopefully these two performances have proved that."

O'Brien netted his first goal of the campaign just two minutes after Adam Armstrong gave Wolves the lead last time out as Wrexham claimed a hard-earned draw with Cesar Peixoto's side in their final match before the November international camp.

The 28-year-old believes Wrexham's performances against Boro and Wolves have helped to shut out the "background noise" around the club.

"When we came into this week, there was a lot of mumbling background noise," added O'Brien.

"The boys have been able to shut that out and prove that the performances were a little blip.

"We've come out against two fantastic teams who were first and second in the league and taken four points away."

Image source, BBC Sport

Wrexham entered the November international window in positive spirits by responding to their disappointing 1-0 loss to Sheffield United in encouraging fashion.

Phil Parkinson's side beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Racecourse Ground three days before holding Boro's fellow promotion-hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers to a 1-1 draw in north Wales.

The improved week ensures the Red Dragons sit six points adrift of the Championship play-off places and eight clear of the relegation zone.

There was also a huge change in the boardroom as chief executive officer Michael Williamson departed, with Shaun Harvey being appointed as acting CEO.

After the Wolves draw, we asked fans for their latest views.

Here's what you had to say:

David: There has been something amiss at the club for the last few weeks. Great to see some action to restore the magic. Hope Humphrey Ker will return too. I was very surprised with the news this week that the entire lower tier of the new stand will be 'safe-standing'. Seems a bit unfair on those of us who can't stand up for 90 minutes.

Graham: Good first half performance. We need another striker asap.

Mark: Carried on where they left off against Boro, had chances but just couldn't put them in. Both sides played attacking football end-to-end at times, a fair result against a top side. Two games in a row Wrexham have raised their game to how we know they can play, and appreciation shown by the fans at the end of both games.

David: When I started going to watch Wrexham 10 years ago, the football lacked finesse and at times crude, but was more made up by enthusiasm and the humour of the crowd. Today we saw a a game that would have graced the Premiership but the crowd's humour remains. The respect shown by both sets of supporters for the Armistice remembrance at the start of the game was exemplary and should be recognised.

Chris: I'm so glad all the talk of changing the manager has gone away. Changing the manager after a short bad spell turns us into a club like every other. Progress comes with stability and the shared aim of reaching the Premier League.

Mike: Harvey brings a different set of issues than Williamson and not necessarily good ones but Parky looked like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders and the return of Cleworth and Thomason makes it feel like our season has finally started.

Neil: Great to see Dobson back and playing out of his skin. It's been a while since we've seen him playing his best. He is making a real difference in the centre of the park and has been key to recent results.

Even in the Hollywood world of Wrexham, it has been a dramatic and potentially pivotal week at the Racecourse.

After back-to-back away defeats, Phil Parkinson's side responded in impressive fashion, taking four points from home games against the top two teams in the Championship.

Wrexham produced their best display of the season on Wednesday, beating leaders Middlesbrough 2-0, before following that up with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against an in-form Wolves side on Saturday.

Off the field, there has also been significant change, with Shaun Harvey appointed interim chief executive following the surprise departure of Michael Williamson.

So, Wrexham fans, what have you made of a week that could prove significant both on and off the pitch? Has this been the turning point in the team's Championship season, and what do you make of the changes in the boardroom?

Let us know what you think by clicking here.

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham defender Max Cleworth says the midweek win over Championship leaders Middlesbrough was an important one for the team's confidence.

The 2-0 win at the Racecourse was a much-needed victory for the Dragons following away defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United.

Cleworth played the full 90 minutes against Boro, after recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up against Burnley in September.

"Obviously the atmosphere was a bit low after the two previous games, so it's nice to get a positive result at home against a very good team," Cleworth said.

"We could have maybe had a couple more goals. So, from that point it gives everyone a bit of belief.

"But it just makes the mood of the place a little bit better and people are looking up now."

Cleworth hopes the impressive victory against Kim Hellberg's side can be the catalyst for an unbeaten run, similar to Wrexham produced last season.

The Dragons beat Coventry 3-2 in October 2025 - a result which saw Phil Parkinson's team embark an unbeaten run of six games.

"I think it's important," Cleworth added.

"I think if you get a few wins, you know, you can suddenly be quite high up and you're looking up again.

"But you can't just think because we did it last year, we're going to do it again this year. We have to sort of focus on each game at a time.

"Hopefully we can start some more consistent performances together."

Wrexham will want another heavyweight win in front of a home crowd when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

The Red Dragons beat league leaders Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Stok Cae Ras in the week as they aim to climb up the table.

It was also a victory that puts second placed Wolves within striking distance of the top and the West Midlands outfit will be wanting to take their chance.

• This is the first meeting between Wrexham and Wolves in any competition since the 1987-88 campaign, with Wrexham winning home (4-2) and away (2-0) in the fourth tier.

• Wolves are winless in all three of their away league games against Wrexham, drawing 2-2 in January 1924, 0-0 in January 1987 and losing 4-2 in April 1988.

• Since the start of last season, Wrexham have won just one of their eight Championship games against sides relegated from the Premier League (D4 L3), beating Ipswich Town 5-3 in February.

• Wolves have lost four of their last six away league games against Welsh sides (W2), with this their first visit since a 2-1 loss to Cardiff in the 2018-19 Premier League.

• Having lost their first two Championship games in the 12.30 kick off slot last season, Wrexham are now unbeaten in their last four (W2 D2).

We asked for your views after Wrexham's morale-boosting triumph over Championship leaders Middlesbrough.

George Thomason and substitute Ollie Rathbone scored as Phil Parkinson's side responded to last Friday's dispiriting defeat at Sheffield United by ending Boro's 11-game unbeaten run in the second tier.

Here are some of your thoughts.

Stephen - Excellent performance. Showed the fight we needed after two very placid, off-key losses. We made Middlesbrough look average at best, kept their noses out of everything.

Michael - After about 20 minutes Wrexham started to confidently pass and move with purpose. Getting to half-time at 0-0 was crucial as that set the platform to build on in the second half. I can't believe that one Middlesbrough player being left out of the team caused them to be off their game but it seemed to make them weaker.

Tony - When they all work together and as a team we know what Wrexham are capable of. But it's a league when you only slightly have to take your foot off the gas and you will get punished. This has been the case the last few games so good to see them playing like they can. Got to keep it going now. Another big one Saturday - come on the Reds.

Rachel - Much improved and showed the fight and drive we expect from them. O'Brien man of the match for me.

Yvonne - Greatly improved all-round team performance. A clean sheet. Two goals and they focused well in defence, especially early on when Middlesbrough dominated possession.

Barry – Wonderful. On the front foot pressing, passing forward not back, more attempts on goal against the league leaders. What more can you want?

Mervyn - We fought like dragons - back to normal! Good to watch. Well done and deserved.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil Parkinson says George Thomason has helped to raise the standards in training following the midfielder's fine display in Wrexham's 2-0 win against Middlesbrough.

Thomason sustained a thigh injury in his side's 1-1 draw with Watford on 22 August.

He was handed his first appearance in more than two months as a substitute against Sheffield United on Friday night.

The 25-year-old started against Boro and scored his second goal for the club in the 70th minute, with Ollie Rathbone adding his side's second 14 minutes later as the Red Dragons earned a morale-boosting victory over the Championship leaders.

"[He showed] personality in abundance, quality, and a tactical understanding of the role he was given tonight," Parkinson said of Thomason.

"It's great to have him back on the training pitch because he raises the standards in training.

"A big moment for the team. A great diagonal from Max [Cleworth] to Kieffer [Moore]. Kieffer does what he does and Tomo's there to shoot hard and low on a greasy surface and it ends up in the back of the net."

Having joined from Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2025, Thomason has predominantly featured at left wing-back in the absence of last season's first choice option Liberato Cacace.

However, Thomason played a starring role from midfield - his preferred position - in the triumph over Kim Hellberg's side in north Wales.

"I think George can play in those positions equally as well," added Parkinson.

"He's tactically a very good player, he's got a great understanding of the game and that's needed.

"It's not just about running around and tackling. You've got to press at the right times and the communication has got to be right against a team like Middlesbrough who have got a lot of rotations going on.

"George just gets it and he was great tonight."

Image source, Rex Features

George Thomason admits it has been "tough" being sidelined during what has been he describes as Wrexham's inconsistent campaign so far.

The midfielder, who can also play wing-back, suffered a thigh injury in the home draw against Watford in August and subsequently missed 10 games in the Championship.

The 25-year-old returned to first team action as a second half substitute in last Friday's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United.

"I was really frustrated to get injured early on in the season after what I thought was a pretty productive pre-season," Thomason said.

"To be honest, ever since I got back out on the grass during my rehab, I've been itching to get back involved with the lads.

"So, I was really pleased to be back amongst a squad and to get back on the pitch.

"I'm feeling good and, as I say, I'm looking to stay fit for the rest of the campaign.

"Hopefully I can kick on personally and as a team now."

Wrexham have won three, drawn five and lost five of their opening 13 league games.

Thomason is available after his comeback against the Blades for the back-to-back home games against Middlesbrough and Wolves this week.

"It's always tough when you're part of the squad and you're forced to watch because you feel as though you can't contribute and help the boys out," Thomason added.

"You almost feel a little bit guilty that you're not able to, as I say, help them out and you want to be around it.

"We wanted to start better than we have done, no doubt about that. But I'm sure we're going to find that consistency and energy.

"A bit similar to last year, hopefully we can kick on now that everyone's properly integrated and got a much better feel for the new signings and the new signings do for us."