'I've become a victim of my own success' - Wrexham striker Paul Mullin responds to 'panic' over his significantly reduced goal output in 2024-25

Mullin has been a central figure for Wrexham since joining the club, earning a talismanic status at the SToK Racecourse. Over three remarkable seasons, he has reached the milestone of 100 goals, playing a pivotal role in the club’s back-to-back promotions. Meanwhile, his stellar performances have also seen him win three consecutive Player of the Season awards.

However, the current season has proven more challenging for the striker. Reduced to a substitute role more frequently than in previous campaigns, Mullin has struggled to replicate his past form and has managed to score just two goals in 23 League One appearances.

Despite the scrutiny, Mullin remains unfazed. Reflecting on the high expectations surrounding him, he told Sky Sports: "It makes me laugh to be honest! I've probably become a victim of my own success. You have a season where you don't score as many and all of a sudden people start to panic, like I've forgotten how to kick a ball or something.

"But as long as we're winning games, it doesn't matter if I score or not. If I didn't score once more between now and the end of the season and we got promoted, I'd still be happy. It's a privilege to have that expectation because it shows how successful I've been before."

Wrexham are navigating a season where Championship promotion expectations are somewhat tempered. Unlike previous years, the team faces stiff competition from clubs like Birmingham City, who currently top the table, making the Red Dragons no longer the standout contenders.

"Nothing really changes, whether there's expectation or not," Mullin said. "Or there's attention or not. It doesn't change what we do on the training pitch. We've put ourselves in a really good position. We just have to keep doing what we're doing and working as hard as we can. As the season progresses, our aim is to finish as high up the table as possible. I just want to play as much as I can. Football careers are only short."

Wrexham have a crucial opportunity to bolster their promotion bid in the weeks ahead. Their next match sees them travel to face a struggling Shrewsbury side, offering a chance to gain valuable points. The spotlight will then shift to the much-anticipated showdown with Birmingham City at the SToK Racecourse. Dubbed the 'Hollywood Derby', the clash promises to be a blockbuster fixture, pitting two of the league’s most ambitious sides against each other.