Wrexham A.F.C. forward Josh Windass has highlighted squad stability as a key factor for the club's Championship season. The 32-year-old, who was last season's top scorer, believes the team's cohesion will improve after a major overhaul a year ago. Windass made these comments to The Leader Wrexham this week as the team prepares for its next match. The Reds currently sit 20th in the Championship table with two points from three games, having scored three and conceded four.
Why does squad continuity matter?
Josh Windass pointed directly to last season's challenges. Wrexham brought in 13 new players across a 12-month period, which was the club's first season back in the second tier after 43 years. That high turnover made it difficult for the team to find its rhythm early on. "I don’t think people realise how many new players we had on the pitch last year, and maybe that’s why it took until Christmas for us to gel and start playing well," Windass said. From that point onward, Wrexham's form was among the best in the division, performing like a top-three or four side.
What was Windass's impact last season?
The attacking midfielder, who plays in the number 10 role, arrived from Sheffield Wednesday before last season began. He quickly became a central figure, netting 17 goals in all competitions to finish as the club's top scorer. His performances earned him the Wrexham player of the year award. Despite his individual success and the team's strong second-half form, the campaign ended in disappointment. The aim of securing a play-off spot was not achieved, with a 2-2 home draw against high-flying Middlesbrough on the final day sealing their fate. "I was disappointed we didn’t make the play-offs as that was our aim," Windass admitted.
How is the squad different this season?
The contrast with the previous campaign is stark. Windass notes that approximately 98% of the team has remained from last season, and the few new signings have integrated smoothly. This consistency is expected to provide a platform for a stronger start. Windass himself missed the opening three games of this season with a calf injury, but is now back in contention. The team's early form shows room for improvement, sitting seven points behind league leaders Charlton Athletic.
What are the immediate challenges for Wrexham?
The focus now shifts to turning their solid base into points. A quick glance at the standings shows the need to climb the table. Their next opportunity comes in a tough away fixture against Millwall, who are currently 7th, on September 2nd. Building momentum from a more settled group will be essential. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming challenges on our fixtures page. With the core of the squad now familiar with each other, the foundation is there for Wrexham to push on from their slow start and aim higher this season.
