Ryan Reynolds & Rob Mac warned to brace for 'massive shock' in Championship with Wrexham in danger of being 'caught out'

Former Manchester United star Gary Pallister believes that the Welsh outfit are in for their toughest test yet as they prepare for life in the Championship. Despite securing three promotions in as many years, the ex-Middlesbrough man feels reaching the Premier League in 2026 may be a long shot.

He told Betvictor: "Wrexham are in for a massive shock in the Championship. I've always thought that between League One, League Two and National League, there's not a great deal in terms of quality as you go up the ladder there. I think when you go from League One to the Championship, it's a step up. Obviously the Championship to the Premier League is an even bigger step. But first to the championship, I think it can catch a lot of people out. I've not seen what they've done in terms of transfers and bringing people in with the experience of Championship football, but they've certainly got momentum behind them. Everybody's talking about Wrexham. I went to a game there last year. The atmosphere was terrific. I think a lot of people are loving Wrexham because of the guys who are in charge, the documentary that we've seen and the way they seem to be embracing it all. They're getting the fans on the journey, they're creating a great feeling about the place and I think it's exciting. I've got Mickey Thomas telling me how good they are and what a place Wrexham is at the moment and they're only going to go onwards and upwards. I'm loving the story. I'm loving the owners. Wrexham back in the day were a big club and it'd be great to see them getting back somewhere near to that."

Wrexham created history when they secured a record third-straight promotion earlier this year but this next hurdle could be their toughest one yet. The Red Dragons will no longer have one of the biggest budgets in the division; they need to get their signings spot on, and manager Phil Parkinson's tactics will be severely tested this campaign. But they are riding the crest of a wave, and momentum can certainly help a team kick on.

Parkinson's Wrexham side begin their Championship campaign away to recently relegated Premier League side Southampton at St Mary's on August 9. That may be a good barometer to see where they are at for the upcoming season.