Wrexham are preparing for their first Championship season with pre-season underway, though their opening friendly offered little in the way of attacking spark. A goalless draw against Wisla Krakow on July 11 was a modest start, the kind of result that tells you more about fitness and shape than quality at this stage of summer. The club earned promotion into the Championship and now face the significant step up in competition that comes with it.

The standings data places Wrexham 23rd in the early Championship table, level on points with most sides before a ball has been kicked competitively. Southampton sit below them on minus four points, suggesting a points deduction is already in play for the relegated south coast club. Wolverhampton Wanderers are directly above Wrexham, and the three clubs form a cluster that will be watching each other closely once the season begins.

The most immediate focus is the next pre-season test, a trip to face Manchester United on July 18. That fixture gives the squad a chance to measure themselves against Premier League opposition and build momentum before the Championship campaign begins. For a club still finding its footing at this level, these weeks matter. The Wisla Krakow draw was a blank canvas. What Phil Parkinson's side does with the remaining pre-season time will shape how ready they look when the real work starts.