Key talking points ahead of Wrexham's historic EFL return

Wrexham are back in the Football League after 15 years away and expectations could not be higher for the North Wales outfit.

The Hollywood-owned Dragons are the bookmakers' favourites to lift the League Two title but are unlikely to have things all their own way in a competitive-looking fourth tier.

Ahead of a landmark campaign at the Racecourse Ground, we consider five factors that will play a key role in how the new boys fare.

Breaking the mould

The last 11 National League champions have failed to secure promotion from League Two at the first attempt.

Since Crawley achieved the feat in 2011, it has largely been a story of consolidation for the title winners with Barnet the only side to be relegated straight back to non-league. 

Of course, Wrexham are not any old champions having broken the National League's all-time points record last term — but anyone expecting an easy ride should perhaps temper their expectations.   

All-important experience

Over recent years, many of League Two's supposedly bigger sides have fallen foul of not signing players with experience in the division.

That should be no issue for the Dragons though, whose star-studded squad includes League Two stalwarts such as Ollie Palmer, Paul Mullin and Ben Tozer

In fact, club captain and long throw expert Tozer has made 378 of his 561 career appearances in the fourth tier, even skippering Cheltenham to the title in 2021.

Managing without Mullen

Anyone who has shown a passing interest in Wrexham will know what a pivotal role star striker Mullin has played in their rise to prominence.

However, the Dragons are set to be without their talisman for the opening few weeks of the campaign after he punctured his lung in a friendly with Manchester United earlier this week.

Mullin played all 46 games in last season's title win but his latest injury provides a timely reminder that being overly reliant on any individual is a risky policy.

Park the bus

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson knows exactly what is required to succeed in League Two having led Bradford out of the division a decade ago.

Expectations were high then too, but the media circus around his current club is on a whole new level and pressure will rapidly mount on his shoulders should he endure a run of poor results.

Given teams like Salford have been trigger happy when it comes to sacking managers with little positive impact, Wrexham would do well to stand by their man until next summer.

Roll with the punches

As owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney know from first-hand experience, football seasons do not always have fairytale endings. 

Last term's triumph was preceded by a painful play-off heartbreak against Grimsby and though the intention from all inside the club is to secure back-to-back promotions, that will be easier said than done.

With every other League Two club relishing the chance to knock the Dragons down a peg or two, mental strength may prove the most crucial element of all in 2023-24.