Wrexham A.F.C. handed transfer reality check in opening defeat to Middlesbrough. The Red Dragons gave playing time to both of their summer signings in the 1–0 defeat at the Riverside Stadium, where they were reminded of the standards they will need to meet in the Championship this coming season. Despite an even first half, the match was decided after the hour mark when a rare defensive lapse was emphatically punished by an excellent acrobatic finish from Will Lankshear. Middlesbrough paid an initial $13.5 million to sign Lankshear from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that could reach a club-record $27 million if all of the add-ons are met. It is understood Boro could commit a further $28 million to goalkeeper Radek Vitek and defender Ashley Phillips in the coming days. Wrexham’s summer spending sits at just $10 million on defender Danny Imray and midfielder Ben Whiteman. Spending money does not guarantee success, of course, but to battle for promotion this coming season, Wrexham will not only need to outperform the likes of Middlesbrough and Southampton, who fell short last time, but also West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley, all of whom have parachute payments following relegation from the Premier League. Just because Wrexham finished seventh last season, there can be no complacency that it will be the bare minimum this time around. The Championship looks set to be an even tougher division, and improvement is required if the Red Dragons are to even challenge for the playoffs, never mind dream of something even greater. Goals win games, and Wrexham still lack an elite Championship option heading into the new season. The Red Dragons have failed to score in each of their last three matches and four of the six games they have played since the start of preseason. Even when they have scored, it has come against teams playing their first matches of the summer with makeshift lineups. Sam Smith appears to be the favored option in attack at the moment, and although he impressed with his work rate against Middlesbrough, he still failed to convert the one big chance that fell his way. Kieffer Moore has scored just one competitive goal this calendar year and looks like he could occupy a “super-sub” role this season, making cameos from the bench during the final 20 minutes of matches. Wrexham have been linked with the likes of Bournemouth striker Daniel Jebbison and Southampton forward Cameron Archer in recent weeks, but even then, they don’t feel like statement signings who would rival the very best in the division. The current crop of forwards might have enough support from Josh Windass and Nathan Broadhead to secure a playoff place, but if Wrexham are to challenge for automatic promotion, it seems certain that a higher-caliber attacker is required. Another key area for improvement is in goal. It feels like a broken record to go over old ground, but here we go again. Arthur Okonkwo and Danny Ward are both good Championship goalkeepers, but neither is a standout performer at this level. Okonkwo could become one, but Parkinson doesn’t seem to trust him, and Wrexham can’t really afford to wait around and see if he fulfills that potential. While debate rages over who should occupy the position, the real issue is that there is a debate.