Wrexham have been urged not to let their FA Cup run distract them from their Championship promotion push
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson pictured during a friendly against Sydney FC in Australia
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has been warned to keep his players focused(Image: Getty Images)
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Wrexham icon Mickey Thomas has warned that the glamour of drawing Chelsea in the FA Cup must not distract the Red Dragons from their ultimate goal of reaching the Premier League.
The North Wales side secured a fifth-round spot for the first time in 29 years following a gritty 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday. Their reward is a blockbuster home tie against Liam Rosenior's Chelsea, who cruised past Charlton and Hull City to reach this stage.
The clash is set for the Racecourse Ground on the weekend of March 7. But before the big cup game arrives, Wrexham must continue to navigate a crucial Championship play-off charge.
Former Wales international Thomas, who represented both Wrexham and Chelsea during a storied career, insists Phil Parkinson has to keep his players' feet on the ground ahead of Tuesday's league meeting with Bristol City.
Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Thomas said: "Bristol City tonight is a massive game. They have to focus on that. Phil Parkinson will have them up and ready for that game, no question about that.
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"But with Chelsea the build-up and that, it will be slightly a distraction for them. Hopefully they can focus on the main priority that is getting to that Premier League."
Thomas knows all about FA Cup miracles. In January 1992, his thunderous free-kick against Arsenal at the Racecourse sparked one of the greatest upsets in football history.
As the latest chapter unfolds, he is bracing himself for more drama when the Blues arrive in Wrexham.
Mickey Thomas, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
Wrexham legend Mickey Thomas has hailed Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac as "two magicians"(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Thomas said: "You know it will happen, not sure where, but it will happen and obviously the game now against my former team, Chelsea, it's a great draw for everyone.
"Unfortunately, only 10,500 can get inside the stadium, so we could sell that three times over for sure, but it's not the case at this moment in time.
"Chelsea will be favourites, no question about that, fifth in the Premier League and they've got some wonderful players, probably the best player in the Premier League in Cole Palmer.
"It's going to be a great game and anything can happen in the FA Cup. No one's favourite. When that whistle blows on that day, no-one knows who will win because form goes out the window."
Under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, the club's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Thomas remains optimistic that the "two magicians" will continue to deliver.
He added: "I'm not worried about the game, I'm really not. Because if you look at the game, I'm confident in terms of what Wrexham have available.
"They've got a huge squad, a fantastic manager, and they've got the two magicians, not the magic man, that Mickey Thomas, it's Rob and Ryan now. They're doing things with Wrexham that no one could believe is happening."