Wrexham's Championship campaign is settling into a pattern of hard-earned points without the consistency their ambitions demand. A 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Burnley at SToK Cae Ras on September 8 summed up the mood around Phil Parkinson's side: capable of competing, but unable to deliver the wins that would ease the pressure. The Red Dragons sit 14th on seven points from six games, level with Birmingham City below them and Southampton above, in a congested mid-table that offers little comfort.

The season has had its brighter moments. A 3-0 win at Millwall on September 2 was Wrexham's most convincing result of the campaign, offering a glimpse of what the squad can produce. But a goalless draw at Swansea City three days later, and now the failure to beat a Burnley side without a league win, point to a team that has not yet found the rhythm needed to push up the table.

Off the pitch, the club's ambition remains clear. The £2 million signing of Manchester City defender Issa Kabore signals that owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are not easing off recruitment despite the slow start. The wider cultural footprint of the Wrexham project continues to grow, with Hugh Jackman confirming he is in talks to buy a stake in Championship rivals Norwich City, citing the Wrexham model as his inspiration.

Next up is a trip to London Stadium to face West Ham United on September 11, a fixture that will test the squad's character at a difficult venue.