00:00Now, Wrexham AFC are on the brink of securing a third promotion in as many seasons with their incredible rise to the English football pyramid, continuing to make headlines around the world.
00:13Driven by the ambition of owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, their story has blended Hollywood flair with on-pitch success, but a potential leap into the championship brings fresh challenges.
00:25So far, Wrexham's transfer strategy has focused on proven experience, signing established names to help guide the club through English League 1 and 2, but to complete in the championship and build for long-term stability, that approach may need to evolve.
00:42Wrexham may need to start thinking about younger players with resale value, smarter recruitment and long-term squad planning if they want to establish themselves at the next level.
00:52We discuss how the club might adapt this summer, what a more measured approach could look like and why this transfer window could be a defining moment in Wrexham's continued rise.
01:05Yeah, do you feel maybe, obviously, there's no secret that Wrexham have splashed the cash, they've invested big in these players, dropping down to League 1 to help them out.
01:16Do you think maybe the Jay Rodriguez signing was a bit of a rush, a bit of a possible mistake that could come to bite the Wrexham owners?
01:23Obviously, they've come out and said, you know, running a football club so hard, they've made no bones about the fact that it's, you know, pointing out that it's almost like throwing money down a black hole, I think Rob McElhenney said.
01:37So, do you feel this is one of the first signings where they might have just got it wrong and Wrexham fans can see that for what it is?
01:44I think it promoted, I think it's vindicated.
01:47The issue is that you look at the longevity of the project, I suppose, and you look at the fact we've had, you know, you had Ben Foster, you've still got James McLean, you've got Stephen Fletcher.
01:57There's got to come a time where you're investing in younger players who can be developed over the years ahead, who can go to the leagues with you.
02:04And I guess there is this sort of short-sightedness, which I understand because that is the ultimate goal, is to get promoted.
02:10But where's the long-term plan?
02:12I think that's what will always be the question of this takeover, of the project.
02:17Yes, it's amazing.
02:18And Wrexham could still get back-to-back-to-back promotions three in a row.
02:23That is unprecedented, that is monumental regardless of the investment, but it's what comes next.
02:28Where's the sustainability?
02:29Where are these young players being developed?
02:31There's a couple in the squad, but I suppose you'd like to see that in a tap particularly.
02:37You'd like to see someone who could have been developed a bit more.
02:39And last summer, Wrexham did break their transfer record on a young striker, Mo Fahl, 22 years old from West Brom.
02:46And now he's sort of fifth choice.
02:48He's falling in further down the back of Northern.
02:50He scored a great goal in the EFL Trophy against Peterborough last month, but he's not getting the opportunities.
02:58And there's the argument that's saying, well, why was he not given the chance in January rather than going out and buying Jay Rodriguez instead?
03:04Yeah, just on Wrexham and the prospect of being a championship club, obviously very close to the top.
03:13It looks pretty set on that they're going to secure the playoff places at least.
03:17I mean, just purely based on what you've seen as a fan, as a sort of podcaster following Wrexham this season.
03:23Do you feel they'll struggle in the championship?
03:26We've mentioned the financial ramifications of it, but just on the pitch, purely with Phil Parkinson's guidance,
03:33do you feel they'll be able to compete with the added pressure, a lot more eyes on them, et cetera, more games on TV and playing more Welsh clubs as well?
03:43You know, it's a huge prospect to look forward to.
03:46If they are to go up, do you feel they'll be able to cope with living in the championship?
03:52In a word, no.
03:53I think going to go to the championship would be maybe a bridge too far at this moment in time,
03:57just because you've still got the stadiums sort out, you've still got the training ground issues.
04:01And like we said, this is a very much an aging squad.
04:04You wouldn't even, that's the concern.
04:07We've spoken that, look, in League One, we're buying short-term solutions.
04:10If you went into the championship, you'd probably chase even more.
04:12The average age of the squad could go up to about 32 or 33, because that's what they know.
04:17They want experience.
04:18Players have been there and done that before.
04:19And it could almost be too much too soon, just because, like we said, you want players who can develop and go to the leagues with you,
04:26and you want to sustainably build something.
04:29Another promotion would be amazing, and no Wrexham fan would be booing if that happened whatsoever.
04:34But we played Huddersfield, got Reading away next week.
04:37That's two teams who've been in the Premier League, you know, in the last sort of decades.
04:42Can you really complain?
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