Phil Parkinson is aiming for another steely, determined performance when the Red Dragons make the short journey to Salford City tomorrow.
As the Club prepares for the first of seven games in February, the Wrexham boss made two new additions to the squad at the culmination of the January transfer window.
The first is a familiar face for the Ammies fans, as Luke Bolton made the switch from tomorrow’s opponents to the STōK Cae Ras.
Alongside the defender was experienced striker Jack Marriott, who will bolster the wealth of attacking options at the Club.
Both players could be in contention for selection tomorrow, and Parkinson has added that he is delighted to have both join the Club.
He said: “Luke Bolton was someone we had been looking at for a while, he’s dynamic, he’s got pace, and he wants to get around the back of defenders. I think our supporters will enjoy watching him play.
“Jack Marriott was someone that we looked at in the summer, but he was too expensive at the time. This time the deal fell into place for us and I feel with Jack that we are getting him at a good time.
“He’s a player that has played at a higher level and when I met him this week, I felt that he had a real hunger to make an impact.”
The window also saw a further three players depart the STōK Cae Ras, with Jake Bickerstaff leaving on loan to join fellow Sky Bet League Two outfit Accrington Stanley.
Liam McAlinden and Bryce Hosannah left the Club by mutual consent after both arriving in North Wales in the summer of 2021.
The duo played more than 100 games for the Red Dragons between them, and Parkinson paid tribute to both and thanked them for their time at the Club.
He said: “Brycey had a time littered with little injuries, but everyone knows that he is a good player.
“We’d spoken to him throughout the window about him finding a new club and if he didn’t then would reach an agreement for him to be free after the window. As everyone knows with the Welsh FA rules, we can’t loan players into the National League like others can.
“For Liam, he was a fantastic character to have around and has made contributions for us on and off the pitch.
“Sometimes that training attitude, spirit and brightness as a person around the building can contribute a lot. He was at the stage where he needs to go and play somewhere.
“One thing we sat down as staff, with Shaun and the owners was that we felt that for Bickers to help his development, that he needed to get some minutes in someone’s first team.
“One of the reasons we brought Jack in was to allow Bickers to go out on loan. He’s done well for us and he trains well.”
The fixture at the Peninsula Stadium will have a different feel to the first meeting between the two clubs, with Karl Robinson in the dugout.
Neil Wood was relieved of his duties and replaced by Robinson who has previously won promotions in the EFL.
They sit in 19th place in Sky Bet League Two but are currently four games unbeaten under Robinson.
Their focal point Matt Smith will be a threat for the Reds, but Parkinson believes that they will be ready for what they have in store.
He said: “I was at Karl’s first game against Forest Green. They were very direct into Smithy [Matt Smith] and it will be a first and second ball contest.
“We know Matt Smith at times will win headers, but we need to make sure that we are reactive in and around him to win the second balls.
“It’s been nice today now the window is shut and we can focus purely on this game. It’s now down to us to go there and put on a real steely and determined performance because I think that’s what will be required.”