Wrexham were one of the biggest spenders this summer as they look to establish themselves in the Championship and have been praised for their approach to transfers
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at the Racecourse Ground
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been praised for their approach to spending at Wrexham
View 2 Images
Wrexham have earned plaudits for defying conventional wisdom with their transfer approach after splashing out £33million on fresh talent this summer.
Boss Phil Parkinson received substantial backing from the club's A-list co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac during the latest transfer window. The substantial investment from the Hollywood duo has yet to translate into on-field success this campaign, with the Red Dragons languishing in 19th position in the Championship standings.
However, Oxford United manager Gary Rowett reckons their willingness to splash the cash on veteran second-tier performers could prove crucial in the long term. The strategy contrasts sharply with that employed by Premier League powerhouses like Liverpool and Arsenal, who have prioritised recruiting young in recent years in a blueprint largely followed in English football.
Whilst Wrexham's inclination towards experienced campaigners sometimes draws criticism, Rowett maintains this shouldn't automatically be viewed negatively.
Ahead of his side's midweek trip to the Racecourse Ground on Wednesday evening, the ex-Birmingham and Derby boss said: "They've invested in the summer, like a lot of teams in the division and brought in different types of players.
"The one thing they have done is that they've not been afraid to do what a lot of clubs won't do at the moment which is to buy a player over the age of 26.
Wrexham striker Kieffer Moore
Wrexham and Wales striker Kieffer Moore has brought plenty of Championship experience to the Red Dragons
View 2 Images
Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image
"They'll try and bring that experience along with them. They've got good players who have done really well at this level."
Wrexham have made a number of significant signings this summer, including seasoned Championship players such as Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass, as well as former Premier League defender Conor Coady. The club has also welcomed promising young talents like 22-year-old defender Callum Doyle from Manchester City and 24-year-old loanee Issa Kabore, also from the Etihad Stadium.
Under Parkinson's leadership, Wrexham have secured 10 points from their first 10 matches this season, currently sitting one point ahead of Oxford. Despite facing challenges in their debut Championship season, Rowett praised Parkinson's achievement of guiding the team to three consecutive promotions.
Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage
Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'.
But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in...
Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
"It's a club that's obviously been on the up for a long period of time and what you do then is you get used to winning," he said. "You get into good habits of winning. Of course, the Championship is a little bit more of a testing division and sometimes no team can continue to keep winning all the time."
"He (Parkinson) is a vastly experienced manager, along with his staff as well. Anybody can say, 'Wrexham have spent loads of money,' but us managers who are in the game know that to actually achieve something in terms of promotion is very, very difficult."
When questioned about whether he had watched the 'Welcome to Wrexham' docuseries, which chronicles the club's rise under Reynolds and Mac, Rowett said: "No, it's a busman's holiday for me unfortunately. I prefer to spend my time watching other things, but that's just with any sporting documentary."