Wrexham are preparing for their first Championship campaign with pre-season under way, and the opening results offer a measured early picture of where the club stands. A goalless draw against Wisla Krakow on July 11 kept things tight at the back but gave little away in attack, the kind of cautious pre-season outing that tells you more about fitness and shape than genuine form.

The competitive context matters here. Wrexham enter the Championship sitting 23rd in the early standings table, though no competitive points have been played for yet. Southampton sit below them on minus four points, suggesting a points deduction is already in play for the Saints. Wolverhampton Wanderers are directly above Wrexham. The division will be unforgiving, and the club's preparation needs to build confidence quickly before the competitive season begins.

The next pre-season test arrives on July 18, when Wrexham travel to face Manchester United. That fixture will attract significant attention given the club's Hollywood ownership and rising profile, and it represents a genuine opportunity to measure the squad against top-level opposition before the Championship kicks off. How the team performs against United will offer a clearer read on whether they are building the momentum needed to compete at this level.

With limited editorial coverage available at this stage of pre-season, the picture remains incomplete, but the direction is clear. Wrexham are preparing seriously for the step up, and the coming weeks will be telling.