Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former England defender Danny Mills has backed Phil Parkinson to steer Wrexham up the table despite a tougher season.
Mills has argued against Wrexham chasing a glamour name like Steven Gerrard , and assessed Robbie Savage 's task of keeping Peterborough up.
The former right-back has also reflected on the awkward moment his old Derby teammate faced coming up against his own son in the FA Cup .
Wrexham
You Worked Under Phil Parkinson; How Has He Done at Wrexham?
I worked under Phil a long time ago. He's done incredibly well to take that football club from where they were to where they are now, just missing out last season. They do spend money, so expectations are even higher.
They've made it clear they want to be in the Premier League , but you have no divine right to do that; there are lots of other teams up there. Look at the teams that have dropped in this season, West Ham and Wolves ; it's a very difficult, competitive league to get out of.
The surprise is gone from Wrexham now; people know what they're about, they're rebuilding their stadium, and as the Hollywood team, people try that little bit harder to beat them. Phil 's done a fantastic job; it's not quite gone as well as he'd hoped so far this year, but I believe they'll climb the table later in the season.
Would a Big Name Like Steven Gerrard Be a Good Replacement?
They're always looking for the big name, aren't they, the glamour name to go in there and do something, but that doesn't always necessarily work. Phil Parkinson has almost run that football club for the last five years. He knows the club inside out and the players inside out. To bring somebody else in at this stage would be a mistake.
Peterborough
Can Your Former Derby Teammate Robbie Savage Keep Peterborough Up?
Robbie Savage has got bags of enthusiasm, we know that, and he sells himself very well. He's got into the Peterborough job, and it'll be difficult. In the past, they've relied on young players, and they're following that same model, getting young players, making them better and selling them on.
If you keep doing that, it's tough sometimes to keep finding those gems. But he's going to keep working hard, bring in some players and get the best out of them. He's been prepared to put his neck on the line, start in the lower divisions and come through. He's now got a job in League One , and I'm sure he's got bigger ambitions to push on and go even higher.
How Will He Have Felt Facing His Son Charlie in the FA Cup?
It's a difficult one, isn't it? It was probably more difficult for Robbie than for his son. His son was just there to show what he can do, which is what you expect.
To go up against your son and think, right, stop him having a good game; I don't want him to play well, just feels a bit wrong. Every parent wants their child to be better than them, to go on and do better, so it's an awkward situation. Maybe the fact it was the FA Cup took the pressure off a little, but it's an awkward position I wouldn't want to be in.
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