Will Wrexham SURVIVE League One?!
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 30. 05. 2024
- In this clip of the Fozcast, Ben and Tom chat about Wrexham and the incredible achievement of gaining back-to-back promotions! Tom asks Ben how he thinks they will get on in League One despite losing some key players due to their contracts running out and just how good James McClean really is...
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It's not really surprising with the media hype etc. But honest to God, I don't think I've met a single Wrexham fan who isn't just happy to be in League 1. Most seem to think that's the natural home for Wrexham. The ones screaming about how "they won't make it," or "never will be in in the premier league" just so happen to NOT be Wrexham fans. I'm not really a huge Wrexham guy, but they are a fun team, and the amount of jealousy from other fans just makes me laugh my ass off.
L1 is the place where our club was taken from us and nearly killed 20 years ago. I am so happy we are back here, and Iâd do anything for a season to two in the Championship some time but thatâs all Iâm asking for. And thatâs the same for every Wrexham fan I know.
@@GarethJOwen1I think Wexham is a Solid Championship Club with PL potential (depending on how driven Ryan is to be a *Billionaire* PL club Majority owner)
Remember when Pompey were in the Premier League? Wow how time has flown. I don't even support Pompey but I can still hear the song ringing in my head..."play up Pompey, Pompey play up". Is that how goes? Respect to your club who were fun while it lasted.
2024 Wrexham is NOT ready to go higher than League One. But with a good plan, with continually increasingly revenue that is then sensibly invested into infrastructure, back-office operations and (obviously) the roster, then the 2026 or 2027 Wrexham could be a contender.
Definitely. I'm a Wrexham STH and have said since the takeover if they get us to League One that would be more than enough for me. Anything else from here on in is a bonus. We've spent 4 seasons in the second tier in our 160 year history so it's not expected for us.
Love it when Fozzy talks about Wrexham
As a Pompey fan, league 1 is a nasty league. A lot harder than it looks and some massive teams down there.
If Wrexham can keep parkinson there and bulid they will get out of league 1 in 2 to 3 years.
It's up to the ownership to show they are truly patient.
Have fun up in the Championship. Just waiting to see if âscumhamtonâ will be there (as your lot would say!) đ
Itâs got to be sustainable, or the owners will lose more money than they realise. The sky deal for the EFL must be pumping in some funds to get rid of ifollow.
@@AndreS_22246 I think weâre coming straight back down. The Champ is a scary league with the amount of money being thrown around. We donât spend big, owners want debt free sustainable football club. Hard to be in the champ doing that. Then again Ipswich did back to back.
â@@notgotaclue4809the bottom half of this seasons championship are one egomanical decision away from relegation.
Pompey have a stable squad and manager.
You will do fine.
Definitely 10th to 15th.
Yes. Iâd be surprised if they are not top half at the very least. Another promotion? Unlikely but not impossible.
Wrexham always start slow and end better in the season. They also have this confidence and belief around them. So if they make the playoffs I think they'll make it
"always" ie the last two seasons lol
@@bwint7234 Well that is the manager and core players they have now that did it. You cant judge off earlier seasons that this group was not a part of.
Iâm old enough to remember foster the first time he pulled on a wrexham shirt all those years ago and he was Qaulity for us , he went on to bigger and better things and quite righty so , his second stint with us all them years later finishing his career with wrexham just makes sense , His penalty save against notts county has written him into wrexham folklore for time and memoriom, I do not think any player could wish for a better legacy than that đđ
Get Ryan Reynolds in the pod
He's done it
I think with a bit of strengthening they have a chance of promotion again, however I think theyâll fit into league one perfectly. People forget, this club used to be a championship (old division 2) club year in year out.
I became a Brighton season ticket holder when we returned to withdean in 1998/99. Playing wrexham over the next few years we both seamed liked teams who were just destined to stay in the lower leagues. Both different journeys but I absolutely love it. Every football fans dream outside of a few. Enjoy it and go for it. Why not!!!
Ownership is gonna start to have to get ruthless soon. How are Rob and Ryan gonna handle having to cut players based on talent? League 1 and the Championship are gonna require better players than they have now.
Back-to-back-to-back promotion has been done in England before, but nowhere near the level we're talking about. Wikipedia suggest the highest appears to be Chester promoting from tier 8, 7, and 6 in its first 3 years as a phoenix club of Chester City.
How many back to back promotions did Salford do? Or AFC Wimbledon when they started at the very bottom tier of non league.
@@johnmitchell2269 AFC Wimbledon had 5 promotions in 8 years, but most was 2 promotions in a row. Similarly for Salford, 4 promotions in 5 years with 2 back-to-back and a year gap in the middle.
Ipswich?
Up the Seals!! đŠđŠ
Yes only wrexham owners clearly said on welcome to wrexham they will pay the refs , so back to back to back to back promotions is possable the refs on the f ing payroll đ
Ben Foster is such a nice chap, I hope he starts working in TV or movies.
Movies? I can see him on BBC or Sky Sports
Wrexham should be able to survive in League One. A huge key is whether they will be able to persuade Okwonko to stay on as GK or not. That guy's save numbers were HUGE, he was a real difference maker, and his saves were on a par with some of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Without him, I think Wrexham will probably not get promoted to the Championship. Without him, Wrexham is likely to just be a mid table side in League One.
Disagree, I would love him to stay but Wrexham have the funds to find another quality keeper.
@@edjones7412Okwonko is more than a quality goalkeeper, he's world class. I don't think Wrexham fans realize how lucky the team was to get him.
The Wrexham defense is not that good, to be blunt. Okwonko saved the defense time and again as the Wrexham defenders let opponents get off shot after shot.
Wrexham went from leaking five goals every game to less than one per game once Okwonko arrived.
For comparison, there's Arsenal's GK, David Raya.
Okwonko had a save percentage of 79.1% against 134 shots on target.
Raya had a save percentage of 69.7% against a mere 67 shots on target.
Arsenal obviously have a terrific defense, while Wrexham leaks a flood of shots on goal.
Okwonko is 6'6" / 198cm tall.
Raya is 6 ft/ 183cm tall.
Raya is a mere mortal compared to Okwonko, and a fairly average Premier League GK. It's only because Arsenal have a great defense that Raya hasn't been exposed more.
Heâs being released by Arsenal so thereâs certainly a chance he signs for Wrexham. Depends if any big championship clubs come knocking I suppose.
Okwonko is amazing but his distribution is at times sketchy
@@gandalfgreyhame3425 Don't get me wrong I think he was fantastic and those stats you quote are very impressive. He's heaps of potential but I feel it's a little premature to call him World class, time will tell. I hope he does sign but I've got a lot of faith we will spend wisely if he doesn't. His latest statement suggests maybe he won't sign but we'll see..
Wrexham wage bill is already more than half of last years Luton towns championship promotion season. Most of the first team regulars were bought from teams in this league / best of league 2. It is no surprise they went straight up. I don't see them having any issues in attracting new players with the media around the club either. If players were willing to drop two leagues to join them in VNL on a big wage, plenty of Championship level players would likely do the same and join them in league 1.
By getting into L1, they are at the point that the $ available from Rob & Ryan is becoming less of a factor, as advancing into the Prem it will take more $ than R&R would be willing to gamble.
Mid-table or slightly higher is realistic until the can get all the back-end support in place, stadium rebuild being primary.
I think with their revenues they will be able to spend with some of the clubs in the Champions league so I donât think they are topping out yet in League 1. I also think their ability to sign talent transcends the spending power. They have that X factor right now and itâs drawing people to them that they have no real rights to be able to get. I think this will continue in this league and the next. Getting out of the Champions league will be the real test for them.
Hulu will front transfer bills the show is a hit and a cash cow for them
@@mavrikmavrik3032 imo they will thrive in L1 and go up in two or three seasons if they maintain the signing momentum, but will 100% hit a wall in CL. It is one of the hardest leagues to win in the world.
@@drlca6601 I agree with you 100%. However Rob & Ryan are not just actors they are very seasoned businessmen with a purpose. Theyâve already tied their club to one in Mexico (recruiting/lending purposes maybe) and I 100% believe they understand their own limitations with funding as the club gets higher in the ranks. Donât be surprised if they make some moves over the next few years to put themselves into a better position to spend with the larger clubs. These are smart people, they will surprise us along the way.
I think it might be better for them not go straight up again, my fear would be it would be too much too quickly and then they get smashed in the Championship and come straight back down.
Agreed. A year or two on consolidation and improving infrastructure is crucial right now. My dream scenario is to be top 10 this season, top 5 the next season and promotion the year after. Meanwhile the stadium gets improved (remember that there a LOT more to do apart from seating - eg. sewage and transport infrastructure), the back office operations are enhanced and the roster continuallly polished.
There's a chance they'll get smashed in league 1 mate. You can't underestimate the teams in league 1 like you can in league 2.
Luton were promoted from League Two and League One in successive seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19 before being promoted to the Premier League at the conclusion of the 2022-23 EFL Championship playoffs.
Back to back like Wrexham t,hen?
Luton was a team that had been top level in the 80s and 90s, was relegated and then climbed back up. Hence they had the operations in place to function in the PL and EFL. Wrexham has never been in that position, and they have a LOT of work to do.
I firmly believe they will do it, but it will take a minimum of 24-36 months.
Too many big clubs in league 1 to expect a finish higher than mid table, it will be a great achievement if they survive in league 1 in my personal opinion, as I think league 1 will be the toughest it's ever been next season.
League one is really tough, from a Coventry City fan
Your side had some fantastic moments this season!
Yes it is! From a Charlton fan!
The jump from league 2 to 1 is huge as is league 1 to the championship. To get out of league 1 you need a few years to get used to the league
Just like Luton Town in 2018/19 who went straight through League 1 with their easiest promotion of all in the spectacular rise from NL to Premier League; lucky weâve got so many CZcams experts to put us right on this.
@@elaineblackhurst1509 And now Luton straight back down out of the premier league. Forrest Green walked league 2 into league 1 then came straight back down. Ended up at the bottom of league 2 relegated to the national league. Big difference between 1 and 2 leagues.
@@doommonger7784
Not sure your list of random irrelevances supports your final conclusion.
Stockport County, Wrexham, and Mansfield will all do well in League 1 next season, as did the three promoted teams last season; Carlisle were the anomaly last year winning the play-off final v Stockport County on a penalty shoot-out when they were clearly second-best, but the play-off system over-promotes teams across the EFL/NL.
Each step is exponential. Each step isn't just 20% better. Say, League Two to One is 20% better, then One to Championship is 30% better, and so on.
People who donât like Wrexhamâs rise donât understand how much Wrexham need football in order for the town to function. It relied on mining which is gone and football which was almost gone.
Same situation with us in Doncaster, ex mining town, nearly lost our team late 90s, rose from conference all the way to the championship. We didn't have the celeb money though
That seems like such a depressing situation to be beholden to given how volatile english football is I really hope the town can use the rise as a way to diversify and ensure a future where they aren't reliant on just a single industry going forward but know that isn't just something people can magic into existence
I'm LFC fan, and not seen the Ryan Reynolds hype, and don't know much about Wrexham. Good luck to them, even if they are running on euphoria. They may struggle going up two tiers, but they're there, and will probably give it a good go. Any small club would kill to be in this position, so I hope they enjoy the ride they're on. Anything positive in this time can only be applauded. And congratulations for pushing up 2 leagues back to back đ
I honestly think they will be in the premier league eventually. Like Foster said the owners of that club are actually aiming to achieve that and they wonât be content with staying below until they reach that goal. If you aim for it eventually it happens in football.
Salford shows how hard going up can be.
Historically, Wrexham have usually been a League 1 (third tier) side. I dont think they will be getting promoted next season though, that's a bit too much to ask or expect.
Finishing in the top half of the league would be a huge success for the first year in third tier.
It is so hard to move up, the more you move up. I would think that the goal of any team in a league is to move up to the next best league. Will they do it in one season? Probably not. But you have to have that mentality, or why are you playing? It will be fun to go along for the ride.
EFL Championship is gonna be the biggest hurdle, the money difference is gonna be felt
Foz the legend ⊠Iâve been an American premier league fan since 2003/2004 (saw arsenal at highbury) but wrexham has made a fan of the entire EFL out of me. Curious to know more about Notts County, MK Dons, Sheffield Wednesday, and championship too
As a neutral, ive enjoyed watching Wrexham play and see their successes on and off the pitch. But i reckon theyll be in league 1 for atleast 2 or 3 seasons. Its a harsh league.
The key signings of a new young keeper and a few other strong core players the previous season has had a huge positive effect
I'm not sure how genuine the Vardy rumour was, probably not at all likely, but it would've been really exciting if they'd pulled it off.
A lot of the team at the moment are league 1 level so I expect that unless they get championship/premier league level players in their team, I think they will be an average league 1 team.
And thatâs great still
3:21 northampton Fc went from fourth division in 1960/61 to first division in 65/66 which Iâm pretty sure is one of the quickest Fulham did a similar feat from 95/96-00/01
League 1 is a big step up from league 2, i think id do well to finish top half!
Back to back to back has been done a few times, Northampton did it in the 60's - all the way up...and then all the way back down again.
Not true. Northampton went up one and the held one year, up again and then held one year and then up again before their tumble.
I was thinking maybe Ben Foster could have a word with languishing goalkeeper David De Gea concerning a Wrexham deal.....đđ.
Had a gander for back to back to back promotions, looks like it's not been done in England in the pro leagues! Closest was Chester from the Northern Premier Division 1 to the Conference North between 2010 and 2013. Few others in non league but that's your lot!
Southampton??
Wrexham as they are with no changes could probably finish about 18th with a few signings will finish about 12th.
Which is fine as a good 2 -4 years in league one is whats needed now to settle
12th easily
10th or 11th imo.
There has been a back to back to back promotion, I did it with Wimbledon on fifa a few years back
Okonkwo coming back to Wrexham would mean they give me a contract because his current deal with Arsenal runs out this summer. Would be surprised if he didnât have offers from bottom PL/championship at least as a bench options
Top half shouldn't be a problem if they get their signings right
Promotion would definitely be very difficult with the likes of Birmingham, Huddersfield, Rotherham. Need to be superb for the whole season
Coady is a Liverpool fan... supports Liverpool, signed for Everton...
its crazy to see over last 3 years
Convinced Gabby would be homeless if he wasnât a Footballer in a previous life
Did Swansea go back to back to back in the 80s under Toshack?
Of course they will, wouldnât be surprised if they have the biggest budget in the league and challenging for playoffs at least but they comfortably stay up regardless
As a Bolton fan its a tough league to do well in. Such a mix of styles of football.
I hope you do well and i hope we wonât be seeing you đ
i donât see us getting another promotion, or atleast not an automatic one. This season i think weâll finish about mid table but thereâs a chance we finish a few places up but also a few places down, if itâs a few places up then we could make a bottom playoff spot and maybe do it that way but iâm very sure we wonât do an automatic promotion again.
Stockport fan here both us and Wrexham will be there in at least the play offs
I think they'd make it to champion's league within 3 years or like ben foster said go back to back to back. but they probably gonna be staying in champion's league or l1 for a bit so they could build their club up. before let's say in 3 - 5 years being there attempting to get promoted... I don't even know if posible to get to premier since the team's quality of the top lvl in champion's league would be insanely high... I'll try in fc 24 to do it with just simulations lol.
They will be in the mix ... Middle of the table I'm sure .. 8th to 12..... will they go up again .. Dout it ... League 1 has allot of decent teams .. breaking through into the championship will cost a few quid and take a couple of years .. they won't jump straight up....
Wrexham Legend â€
Though the step from League 2 to 1 is arguably a much bigger jump than up to League 2, I suspect theyâll finish a comfortable mid-table in their first League 1 season. Iâll be surprised and impressed if they make the playoff places given some of the decent sized clubs, but likewise Iâll be very surprised if they end up in a relegation battle.
They have the financial position and income to make the right signings as theyâve shown theyâre sensible on that front, so with the right decisions, they can start the season as a solid League 1 team to face.
Think progress will slow down now but they will be fine in L1, if I were to put money on it I would say they will finish 10th!
Donât know but Stockport county will be right at home there.
I'll be more than happy with mid table. I think those talking about another promotion are dreaming. Happy to be eat humble pie 12 months from now though.
Realistically, you wouldnt want to be promoted too fast from league one to the championship. The ideal timeline would be 2 years minimum so you can build another good foundation of depth in the squad as well as a competitive starting 11 to play in the championship. Also to allow them to prepare financially for the championship.
Hi Ben, you should get your former GK Coach Eric Steele on. He'd be a great guest.
I don't think anyone can make a prediction until we see who they sign.
Who's sending Arthur okonkwo out on loan again? He's not an Arsenal player anymore. Free agent
Until the end of June he's not. Might not see a new Wrexham contract until then.
Please tell me they didnât say Okonkwo going back out on loan.
The goal for Wrexaham is, realistically, to be top half of the table. Anything above that is gravy.
Hello Ben just wondering to see if you will do a podcast on Birmingham bc as a Birmingham fan you was one of my favourite players to play for us and I would like to know your opinions on us going down and what the owners could do and stufd
Deadpool refuses relegation.
I think league 1 is gonna be a long road for Wrexham. I personally think this is where they will stay for awhile, some big fish in that leauge!
league 1 is basically championship quality but itâs just that the championship league can only hold 24 teams
Thatâs just not true is it đ€Łđ€Ł
There is a reason why Peterborough kept getting sent back down.
@@fiskern2241 and also kept getting promoted, no?
I dont agree with that. There has been as much yo-yo'ing of teams between Champ/L1 as EPL/Champ. Rotherham being the biggest offender.
Truthfully I don't want Wrexham to be promoted again for at least another year...they need fixed some of the administrative issue like their training ground issue, their kop and their youth academy going
odd take, promotion to the championship is worth around 7 million pounds, thats about 5 times more than what they will receive for promotion to league 1, all of the stuff you mentioned is going to cost a ton of money so obviously the quicker they get promoted the easier it will be to get the infastructure in place.
Bad take ⊠all mentioned are very important and should be completed ASAP but they all provide little to no benefits in the short term. It takes years to start producing benefits for club.
The conor coady being an Everton fan was something he denied for so long đ because he player for Liverpool even though his kid plays in the academy and theres pics of him at matches as a kid.
If Luton can do the double promotions, then Wrexham can with all the extra attention and money
Maybe you should come out of retirement and help them get promoted again.
Heâs not good enough for League one now
Lets Goooo!!!!!!!!!!!
Okonkwo is out of contract so Wrexham can just sign him for free in July
All that Wrexham have to be is better than four other sides in League One. When its put like that it's not such a daunting task. It will be a reality check from the the past two seasons of success for Wrexham. Managing the churn in the squad will be crucial for the manager Parkinson. A finish between 15th to 20th would be good anything better than that is great for Wrexham.
Arthur Okonkwo out of contract at Arsenal this summer, so the Reds are trying to sign him permanently.
Let's go L1!
Sheffield wednesday fan. Saw us best them 4.0 in league one. But I loved the atmosphere at Wrexham. All the best lads.
Itâs like 8 in the morning! Ffs, I thought he was going to say 5 or 6.
if they invest well, they might be able to go up via playoffs, i doubt any higher.
Iâm pretty sure Arthur Okonkwo is out of contract at Arsenal this summer and theyâre letting him move on.
No team has gone back to back to back through the NL and EFL. It has happened in lower tier football. Truro City from tiers 11 to 8, Shaw Lane 12 to 9, FC United of Manchester from tiers 10 to 8, Slimbridge from 12 to 10, Chester from tiers 8 to 6, Kings Landing from Tiers 8 to 6, Southshields from tiers 10 to 8, Bromsgrove Sporting from tiers 10 to 8, and Walton & Hersham from 10 to 8.
I give you a thumb for all the browsing you must have done to gather this information,Cheers and have a smashing day!!Are you a Wrexham supp?Im Dutch...I just got lost here in the comments...enjoying Wrexhams way up since R&R took over...it is a true fairytale coming to life,aint it?To me personally it is like when Arne Slot came to Feyenoord (My team) and took us to the f-ing final of the Conference league...then next year we reached the quarter final of the Europa Cup...and became Champion of the dutch league...and then we got into Groupstage Champions League (and we qualified again this year for finishing place 2) and we got the Dutch Cup...and then Arne Slot got a deal from Liverpool...and that is where our fairytale ends I'm affraid...
Who are Chester ?
I get all the other teams
@@davejones5105 No one important.
@@MrWhatyousee It is actually fairly readily available on Wiki. So, I don't deserve too much credit. I am a new Canadian Wrexham supporter (host watch alongs during the season). Married a Yorkshire lass - Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, Barnsley didn't really intrigue me so I just casually watched until I found a home. Prior to that it was casual MLS support but never really had a team I claimed.. until now! :)
I don't think they'll repeat a promotion again, but I think they will finish in the top 10.
Obviously, a lot depends on who they can bring in as new signings, which, I'm sorry, but thanks to the influx of money, they will be able to get better talent to fill the gaps. I'd love them to prove me wrong and get promoted again, but I just don't see it happening
Swansea went from old division 4 to 1 in 4 seasons: 4, 3, 2, 2 and then 1
Yeovil town got a back to back to back promotion
back to back to back to back promotion. back in days Fulham from lague two to premier league
Crazy how Wrexham get more credit than Stockport who are by far the more impressive story
but they don't have a show do they đ
@@phillipplumb1310 or ÂŁ6m wage budget in the national league
People said the same thing about Notts County. It's all perspective.
@@CH-vh1sw Thats my point
Didn't Swansea do back to back 3 times?
Swansea won three promotions in four seasons to reach the First Division in 1981.
Tell us something about Okonkwo Fozzy. How was he?
Wrexham will be in the Premiere League one day.
Yes.
I agree, they wonât hang around in league 1, Championship will be the plateau, and then build from there.
Give some support to Stockport County lads ;)
Fair play to them but they need to be careful they donât end up like Gretna FC. đ€đ€
Connor cody was a Liverpool fan
Will you get Chris brunt on
Survive in league one?
I'm a leyton orient fan and can see Wrexham will be strong contenders for top 6 with their momentum right now.
Top 8 with the way they play is my minimum educated rest.
I think they'll get out of League One but it'll take a few seasons.
Rob and Ryan aren't rich by team owner standards, i think the Championship is their ceiling right now, of course they have the star power and when money does become a limiting factor to their progress i'm sure someone with deep pockets will jump in.
Agree, their star power in Hollywood grants them access to some of the wealthiest people in the USA which could help attract others to come and join them on the ride. Another benefit is Rob & Ryan's publicity has taken the team's profile globally, a L1 side getting PL level publicity.
Ben Tozer to Bradford City fact
Wrexham will spend their way to the Premier League.
Bit gutted you talked about Wrexham without mentioning how great County were given they were Champions, you should do some more coverage of Wrexham on your channel maybe next season and get like rival fans on or something or ex players who you know to represent the team Wrexham are facing. Just an idea tho
They definitely need to buy more quality players if theyâre to have any chance ?
Wrexhamâa success from here on up will be entirely dependent on whether or not the owners take risks. Theyâre basically doing the FIFA Career Mode where the player enables the millionaire investors feature then go on to use that money to recruit talent from higher up the pyramid and release the weaker players. That said and partially done, now they have to begin using their position to loan-in talent with buyout options and recruit better still. So what it ultimately comes down to is, can the staff adjust to bringing in and managing talent in a way that enables the team to remain competitive but flexible enough to rotate talent in and out until it gets to the Championship? And then, once in the Championship, can they build a foundation and academy setup to breed talent internally to mix and match the talent coming in until they break into the Prem?
shouldn't even be thinking or discussing about PL, they're not that kind of club
Southampton did 3 back to back promotions I think