Heading into their first season in the second tier of English football for 43 years, Wrexham have an abundance of striking options at their disposal.
Following the departures of Sam Dalby, Paul Mullin and Steven Fletcher, the Welsh outfit still have seven strikers in their squad, even more if you include players such as Josh Windass who can play up front. So, which of these players should they keep, and which should they move on.
Ryan Hardie- Keep
The most obvious decision of the seven, Ryan Hardie has only just arrived at the club, joining from relegated Plymouth Argyle for £1.8m. Even if he wasn’t a new signing, Hardie would still be a keep. In a poor Plymouth side, Hardie recorded 13 goal contributions in 37 league games last season and 16 in 40 the season prior. He’s definitely a keep.
Sam Smith- Keep
Another fairly easy one considering that he only signed for the club in January, Sam Smith is another player who should be kept at the club for the upcoming season.
Smith scored 7 goals in 18 league games following his £870,000 move from Reading and it will be interesting to see if he can make the step up to the Championship.
His only previous experience at this level came in the 2017/18 season, where he made 8 appearances and scored once.
Jay Rodriguez- Keep
A veteran who also only signed for the club in January, Jay Rodriguez will surely at least see out his 18-month deal in Wales. Whilst he only returned 4 goal contributions in 17 league games last season, his Championship experience will be invaluable for a side that has risen up the divisions so quickly.
Ollie Palmer- Sell
Perhaps a controversial one given how influential Palmer has been in the club’s rise in recent years, it is time for Wrexham and Ollie Palmer to part ways.
The 33-year-old only managed 3 goals in 27 league games last year and even in League Two, he only managed 7 goals in 39 games.
The departure of Paul Mullin earlier in the window has shown that the club can be ruthless when it comes to player departures.
Jack Marriott- Sell
I think that Wrexham should be open to selling Jack Marriott ahead of the upcoming season. On paper, he didn’t have the greatest season last time out, only finding the net 6 times in 26 League One appearances.
However, only 9 of these were starts, with the majority of his appearances coming from the bench and even then, his minutes were extremely limited. With Hardie, Smith and Rodriguez all ahead of him in the pecking order and with the club reportedly still in the market for another centre forward, Marriott’s game time will be reduced even more.
His contract is up at the end of next season, so the club would be wise to cash in on the 30-year-old whilst they still can as he is seemingly not a part of their plans.
Jake Bickerstaff- Sell
Definitely a harsh one considering that he is only 23 years of age, but I just don’t know if Jake Bickerstaff is developing quickly enough for the direction that Wrexham are going in.
Bickerstaff spent last season out on loan with Altrincham in the National League, only getting 2 goals and 2 assists in 26 league games. He spent the season before that in League Two, scoring 2 goals in 7 league games for Wrexham, before being loaned out to Accrington Stanley where he would only score once in 10 matches.
Perhaps another loan is what is needed, but considering the trajectory that Wrexham are currently on, if he is never going to be ready for the first team, they might as well sell now.
Mo Faal- Loan
A product of the West Bromwich Albion academy, Faal signed for Wrexham at the start of last season. He would score 3 goals and get one assist in 16 appearances, but all of these contributions would come in the EFL trophy.
He is only 22 and should be sent out on loan to further his development.
