Speaking exclusively with BoyleSports , former Rangers and Scotland defender Alan Hutton has explained why Wrexham face a tough challenge in conquering the Championship next season.
Hutton has also given his thoughts on the importance of smart recruitment and financial backing for Wrexham to solidify their position in the competitive league, emphasizing the need for realistic ambitions as they continue their Hollywood-backed rise.
Can Wrexham Conquer The Championship?
Wrexham’s story, it's incredible. What a story. When you think about it, two Hollywood superstars going in there, taking over and just what they've been able to do in such a short period of time.
But I think this is where they'll find out exactly where they're at. I think moving into the Championship is such a tough league. I've been there myself and we at Aston Villa went down there with a real strong team and struggled.
It was difficult, so they're going to have to recruit, recruit really well. They'll have to spend money to do that, which they probably will be able to do moving forward. But I think it's going to be really hard for them.
It'd be brilliant to see. I mean, could you imagine them making it to the Premier League? What a story that would be. But I think it'd be difficult. I think if they just solidify themselves in the championship and continue to build, I think that could be a good way forward for them and then just try and improve year on year.
Hollywood Cash Not Enough
Could the Championship be a shock to the system for Wrexham? Totally.
When you're used to winning week in week out for a number of seasons, you just feel that when you step out onto that pitch, that's all that's going to happen. But when you start going up the levels, you then understand how difficult it can be.
The gap in budgets, again, will still be big in terms of where Wrexham are and where some of the other teams are. So you're competing with that. You're competing with huge teams as well, Premier League teams effectively. So it's going to be difficult for them.
They're going to have to get used to that, but it's about having the right mentality. When it doesn't quite go yourself, sticking together, there have been a good bunch that have been together for a number of years.
They know what it's like to kind of fight through the leagues. So they'll know it's not going to be easy. It's going to be tough. But again, just solidify yourself in the Championship and continue to build. I think that's probably the right way forward for them.
The Importance of Transfer Success
I think it still will be hard for Wrexham to get big names if you want some kind of Premier League player for them at this moment in time. If they continue to grow in the way that they are, then of course that's a huge possibility.
But it's going to be interesting to see what they do in the summer because look, the quality has to go up. They have to go and do well in the transfer markets to go and compete.
They'll know that and I'm sure they'll have targets in place but it's whether or not they can get them in there and try and build something special. They need experience but you want a group of players that you can work with and mould to how you want to see them play and develop as a group. That's probably key to staying in the Championship.
“Jealousy” Over Wrexham Story
Are other Football League clubs jealous of Wrexham? Yeah. You see them on the TV and see all the different things that they've been doing and they're getting a lot of publicity along the way. look, rightly so, I like it. I don't mind it. I like all that. I like those stories. It's something different.
Hollywood stars coming in and taking over and you see them at the games, and it just gives them that kind of happy feeling. It's really motivated them to go and progress and move forward. And it's just been a brilliant story.
I just do feel that next season, unless they recruit really, really well, that it will be difficult. It'll probably be the first year where they've come up against really strong teams week in, week out, and they'll have to work really hard for every single point.
So we'll see where they're at. I think it'll be a good leveller for them to see what kind of situation they're in. But look, it's going to be hard next season, but I like the story.
Leeds Must Spend Big
Leeds need to spend big this summer, I think it's a no-brainer for teams that get promoted. We've seen teams in the past run away with the Championship and be absolutely brilliant and play open in expanse of football, like Leeds have scored a barrel load of goals but then really struggle.
You look at Southampton under Russell Martin, they played open expansive football, and it just didn't work. I think that's the way Leeds play, and it works in the Championship. You see Jayden Bogle getting forward, getting goals and assists, Junior Firpo on the other side getting forward, getting goals and assists.
The way they play, they're open at times, but they can deal with it because they've got decent players. But I think when you go into the Premier League, you get punished. If you're out of position, you get punished by these top teams. They'll know that. They'll know they'll have to recruit really well. They'll need to spend money just to stay in the league.
I think that's what you have to look at. It's not about wanting to finish in the top 10. Let's consolidate the Premier League and continue to build year on year. And I think that's something they'll have to look at.
Playoff Drama Ahead
Sheffield United are the team that is probably the standout at the moment, even though I always worry about that team that finishes third. for years when you look at it, you're nearly there in the top two positions, you slip out of it. How's the mind? How's the motivation? Are you a little bit down?
But I think they've got the manager and the team that can do it. I'd love to see Sunderland go back up into the Premier League if I'm totally honest. I think as well, what Frank Lampard's done at Coventry has been exceptional.
“That would be a huge story as well, but it's so tight. I mean, that's what I love about it. I mean, going into that last game, a lot could still change and make it interesting. you'd have to say, Sheffield United at this moment in time. But I'd love to see Sunderland back in the Premier League.
Sheffield United To Be Promoted - 7/4
Hull City’s Fight For Survival
When it's out of your hands, you're just in the hands of the gods. I mean, you can only take care of what you can and go and win your game and get the three points and hope that things go your way round about you.
So it's a difficult one. It's not an ideal situation to be in. I still see Hull as a big club. I think for them to be down there and fighting to stay up is, well, it's a real disappointment for them. There's no getting away from that. But you can only control what you can control. Go out, get your three points and hopefully things follow your way.
Hull City To Be Relegated - 11/10
Sunderland Playoff Hopes
It's not ideal for Sunderland, they've lost their last four. I think when you go into the playoffs, it's all about building momentum. The year that we went up, we were nowhere near it and then we won 10 games in a row and then we went on to go up.
I think that's key, if you're like Sunderland and you've been in those kind of playoff positions for a number of weeks and you know you're relatively safe, your foot kind of comes off the gas a little bit, it's not ideal. Form drops ever so slightly. I don't think it's a great situation to be in. That being said, I still think they've got the players to go and turn it on and make it happen.
It's going to be difficult, of course, I've been there. It's really difficult and there's a lot of pressure within it. But they're a young team and I think they're probably fearless as well. So it's something that they'll be able to deal with.
Sunderland To Be Promoted - 9/4
The Tyne-Wear Derby
It's huge. It's a massive game. The fans are crazy, both sets. I think when they come together it's such a good thing to see. They'll be desperate for it again, especially in the Premier League. That's where you want to have these derbies in the Premier League.
The only problem is Newcastle, as we know, are a very strong team squad. They're fighting for those top Champions League positions.
Of course, there's a gap between the two clubs at this moment in time. If it was to happen early on and they were to get up, they would need to strengthen, of course, to try and compete not only in the league but against Newcastle in a derby game. But it would be brilliant to see. I think the fans would love to see it again.
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