Explained: Why Wrexham weren’t busier in January transfer window & how the Premier League impacted plans of Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney & Phil Parkinson

The Red Dragons were expected to bolster their ranks in the winter window as they look to wrap up back-to-back promotions. Business was done at SToK Racecourse, but much of that happened on deadline day as Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott were welcomed through the doors.

Wrexham were only ever going to be in need of minor tinkering, but more new arrivals could have been welcomed to North Wales had more money been spent higher up the League ladder. Premier League teams were relatively quiet, and that meant there were fewer deals to be done across the entire pyramid.

Parkinson has told The Athletic of Wrexham’s efforts in January: “The window has been a difficult one at our level. Mainly because there hasn’t been so much movement at the top end of the game. That then has a knock-on effect lower down. Maybe players who we thought might be available suddenly weren’t. I’m relatively pleased and looking forward to getting our heads down for the rest of the season. Keeping the quality in the squad was important, including Arthur [Okonkwo]. We’ve also made two good additions in Luke and Jack, plus the lads we have coming back from injury.

“We’d looked at Luke for a while. He’s a dynamic and direct player, who we feel can bring a lot to the squad. He’s also young and there’s plenty of room for him to keep developing. We’re pleased with that signing and I’m looking forward to working with him. The same goes for Jack, who has a good all-round game. You can play into his feet, he has good mobility and he has a good goal record throughout his career. Sometimes, signings are about timing. We looked at him in the summer but, at that point, the deal was very expensive, so it was one we moved away from. With Fleetwood (now) in a perilous position (at the foot of League One), Jack became available and it suited all parties.”

Wrexham suffered a 3-1 defeat at Salford in their first outing after the latest window closed, dropping them to fourth in the League Two table, but they have games in hand and are only six points adrift of table-topping Stockport with three months still to be played.