Phil Parkinson has been told one of his ‘fantastic’ Wrexham talents has been a ‘problem’ at times this season.
Wrexham’s squad is brimming with talent and they all merged to achieve a historic promotion out of League Two.
The Reds will now play League One football almost 20 years after being relegated from the third tier and that is largely thanks to Paul Mullin’s goals.
Mullin broke the 100-goal mark for Wrexham, scoring 26 goals in all competitions, including 14 in his last 12 to fire Phil Parkinson’s men to glory.
Although the Liverpudlian enjoyed a magical middle and end to his campaign, the start was far from ideal as the 29-year-old suffered a punctured lung and as a result, missed the first eight matches.
During this period without their talisman, many questioned who would step up but luckily, Elliot Lee answered Wrexham’s prayers by delivering the goals Parkinson craved.
Elliot Lee’s Wrexham season in numbers
Lee started life back in League Two on fire with seven goals and two assists in his first eight matches.
READ MORE: Elliot Lee: Height, Position, Transfer, Salary, Net Worth and More
The midfield metronome, formerly of Luton Town, truly stepped up in Mullin’s absence, although his return coincided with a drop-off in form.
The West Ham academy graduate scored three goals in his last 17 matches, which took his tally to 16 for the campaign and earned him a spot in the League Two Team of the Year.
Despite not ending the 2023/24 season with a flurry of goals, he earned recognition from his teammates as he was given the Wrexham Players Player of the Season award.
Lee’s ability to break lines from midfield is unquestionable while his composure in the final third is brilliant, but there is one part of his game that has been a ‘problem’.
Elliot Lee told why he’s been a ‘problem’
The 29-year-old is at his best when he’s driving forward from midfield and getting into advanced positions on the pitch.
The Athletic journalist Richard Sutcliffe believes those are two of Lee’s greatest strengths, but has also pinpointed one of his weaknesses, claiming he often gets on the ball in dangerous positions and that cost Wrexham in the Bradford match.
“Elliot Lee bridged that gap, you think of all the late goals he got,” Sutcliffe told the Rob Ryan Red podcast.
“There are a couple of times where he’d get caught in midfield; I’d still say is a problem with Elliot. The Bradford goal they got, he was dispossessed 10 yards from his own penalty box, which he’s still a fantastic talent but he still turns and tries things sometimes in the wrong position.”
Phil Parkinson needs to keep Elliot Lee advanced
Lee is so much better when playing as an attacking midfielder and as a result, has less defensive responsibility.
While he is a workhorse, the fleet-footed midfielder is much more effective when he’s given free roam to affect play in the final third.
Indeed, the introduction of George Evans back into the side enables him the freedom to pull the strings.
Moving forward, perhaps Parkinson will consider signing another holding midfielder, so in certain matches, Wrexham are better protected defensively and Lee can continue playing with attacking freedom.
The post 'I'd still say...': Journalist claims Wrexham's 'fantastic talent' has actually been 'a problem' at times appeared first on The Wrexham Insider.