Phil Parkinson: Coach remains calm after Stoke defeat but do Wrexham need changes?

The sight of a fit-again Ollie Rathbone – last season’s Player of the Year – in the matchday squad for the first time since the start of pre-season, adds weight to these feelings.

At the same time, Parkinson is unlikely to ignore the steady progress the team has made so far, even if many fans see Stoke’s form as a step backwards.

While the run of matches will bring pressure, it will also bring opportunities, with Kiefer Moore among those insisting that Wrexham are not far from clicking and will pose a real threat when they do.

Before the next international break – all in the space of three weeks – Wrexham also have matches against Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic, even if the Addicks have performed remarkably well since their promotion.

Then there is the small matter of their chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup when they welcome Welsh rivals Cardiff City.

Do it right and Wrexham will get people talking for all the right reasons. Parkinson’s thing will now go well.

“We just need to analyze the performance and not get frustrated about it,” Parkinson said.

“It says something about how far we have come when we arrive at Stoke in front of 25,000 people and be disappointed not to get anything out of the game.

He added: “But we have to look at ourselves. I think it’s good to be frustrated, and I think it’s good to be a little upset, and not pat ourselves on the back and say ‘Oh, we came to Stoke and did well.’

“They’re a good group of players who work hard and I’m excited about what we have in the building, I’m really excited.

“We were hit hard, but we will be back fighting on Wednesday.”

And with Wrexham being taken seriously – and perhaps even looking forward to their failure – a win would do a lot to regain control of that narrative.