The new National League season kicks off on Saturday with a large dollop of expectation heaped on Phil Parkinson and his Wrexham players.
Ever since the Dragons' were taken over by Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney the onus has been on them to quickly end their stay in the fifth tier. Their initial arrival well past the midway point of the 2020-21 campaign didn't give them enough time to properly make a promotion push. But their near-miss last season, when they were beaten by eventual winners Grimsby in the semi-finals, will have hurt. Make no mistake, the owners do not intend on being a National League side beyond this season.
Parkinson has been given ample backing to strengthen and has used the funds wisely. His ability to entice established EFL players such as Elliot Lee and Anthony Forde to complement existing squad members such as Paul Mullin and Ben Tozer means they are justifiably bookies' odds-on favourites to be toasting title success next May.
