Wrexham AFC must strengthen transfer focus after Sheffield United evidence - View | OneFootball

The Red Dragons looked short of firepower in their Carabao Cup defeat at Bramall Lane and must prioritise signing a new striker.

Wrexham AFC bowed out of the Carabao Cup in the first round on Tuesday night following a 4-2 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Phil Parkinson made ten changes to the starting XI which beat Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 at home in the Red Dragons' League One opening day fixture, with captain James McClean the only player to survive.

The cup clash saw competitive debuts for a number of Wrexham's summer arrivals, including goalkeeper Callum Burton, defenders Dan Scarr and Lewis Brunt and club record signing Ollie Rathbone.

While the new boys generally acquitted themselves well, there is one area of the pitch where it is apparent that improvements are urgently needed before transfer deadline day based on how the Sheffield United tie played out.

Here FLW looks at why Parkinson must strengthen his focus on bringing a new striker in.

Current attacking options must be improved

Wrexham started the game against Sheffield United with former Southend man Sam Dalby up front, supported by Rathbone, who normally plays in midfield.

The fact that Rathbone, who joined last week from Rotherham United, featured in that role illustrates the club's lack of quality back-up options in this area.

Dalby himself made a limited number of starts in League Two last season and was guilty of some glaring misses at Bramall Lane, often slowing down Wrexham's attacking play.

There's a growing sense among supporters that he might need to be loaned out to get regular minutes.

On the positive side for the Red Dragons, both Jack Marriott and Steven Fletcher were on the scoresheet against Wycombe.

Marriott's outstanding first-half effort provided cause for encouragement considering he only scored once last term after being signed from Fleetwood Town in January.

With Paul Mullin currently sidelined after undergoing surgery for a back problem during the summer, it was vital for others to step up.

However, despite Wrexham having seven senior strikers on their books, there are questions over whether they have enough quality in reserve to challenge at the top of the third tier.

Billy Waters is way down the pecking order at present after failing to make an impact since joining from Barrow AFC in March 2023 and was not included in the squad for the Carabao Cup game.

Meanwhile, as per journalist Peter O'Rourke, youngster Jake Bickerstaff has been linked with a move away from the club during the current transfer window and was also absent.

Dragons need competition for Ollie Palmer

What Wrexham are lacking most right now is a strong competitor for the number nine role occupied by Ollie Palmer.

The 32-year-old's height and physicality are crucial to how they play, and he has been an important part of a team which secured back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history.

However, with doubts over Dalby's future and veteran striker Fletcher mostly preferred as a super sub, Palmer is without a major challenger for his position.

He had an instant impact after joining Wrexham from AFC Wimbledon for a club-record fee of £300,000 in January 2022.

As per Wrexham AFC Fan Archive, he scored 15 league goals in 21 appearances in the second half of a campaign that saw them narrowly miss out on the title to Stockport County, before being knocked out in the play-off semi-final to Grimsby Town.

This was followed by 16 goals in 37 appearances for Palmer during their National League title-winning season in 2022/23.

But his goal tally more than halved to seven in 25 appearances last term, which highlights the need for a contender for his starting berth.

Michael Smith would be a huge signing

The need for another striker is one which Parkinson appears only too aware of.

When questioned about it after the Sheffield United game, he told BBC Sport: “We’re not a million miles off from the numbers where we want to be, but we’re always looking if we can add a player or two of quality.

“We know the players we like, and we’ll keep trying to get the player or players in, and if we do great, if not, you can see we have a strong squad, and we’ll go with what we’ve got.”

One striker who Wrexham have recently been linked with is Sheffield Wednesday's Michael Smith, as per Football Insider.

The Championship side are reportedly open to offers for the 32-year-old after signing Ike Ugbo.

Smith plays in the number nine role and would represent an upgrade on Palmer after being linked with a move to Derby County last season.

The last time he played in League One, he scored 16 goals in 39 appearances, which underlines the value he has to offer.

Whether Wrexham will manage to lure Smith to the Racecourse remains to be seen.

However, based on Tuesday's night's performance against Wednesday's neighbours, it's an opportunity they should seize with both hands if they are serious about challenging for promotion.