Wrexham are still searching for their first victory of the new campaign after making an unspectacular start in the Championship.
Phil Parkinson’s men have taken two points from their opening two league fixtures, having also been eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Middlesbrough.
That cup tie was decided by Will Lankshear, whose second-half goal gave Boro a 1-0 victory at the Riverside Stadium.
Wrexham then looked set to begin their Championship season with an impressive win over Cardiff City.
Former Bluebirds striker Kieffer Moore struck after only three minutes and the visitors protected that lead deep into stoppage time.
However, Rubin Colwill produced a superb free-kick in the 98th minute to earn Cardiff a dramatic 1-1 draw.
That was a particularly painful way to drop two points, although Wrexham at least followed it with another draw against a Watford side expected to compete near the top of the division.
Luca Kjerrumgaard put Watford ahead at the STōK Cae Ras, but summer arrival Danny Imray quickly responded with his first goal for the club.
Wrexham enjoyed 59 per cent of the possession and forced 10 corners, yet they could not find the breakthrough required to turn the game into a victory.
|
Wrexham 1-1 Watford |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Wrexham |
Watford |
|
Possession |
59% |
41% |
|
Expected goals |
1.92 |
0.65 |
|
Expected goals on target |
0.53 |
1.32 |
|
Total shots |
12 |
10 |
|
Shots on target |
2 |
6 |
|
Shots off target |
6 |
3 |
|
Shots blocked |
4 |
1 |
|
Shots inside the box |
10 |
5 |
|
Shots outside the box |
2 |
5 |
|
Woodwork hit |
2 |
0 |
|
Big chances created |
2 |
1 |
|
Big chances missed |
2 |
0 |
|
Corners |
10 |
3 |
|
Offsides |
1 |
0 |
|
Total passes |
477 |
341 |
|
Completed passes |
392 |
247 |
|
Passing accuracy |
82% |
72% |
|
Key passes |
9 |
6 |
|
Passes into final third |
112 |
65 |
|
Completed long passes |
26/56 |
14/55 |
|
Completed crosses |
6/32 |
5/20 |
|
Successful dribbles |
10/22 |
9/15 |
|
Tackles won |
12/17 |
14/20 |
|
Interceptions |
11 |
9 |
|
Clearances |
21 |
36 |
|
Duels won |
56 |
60 |
|
Ground duels won |
38/78 |
40/78 |
|
Aerial duels won |
18/38 |
20/38 |
|
Possession lost |
152 |
146 |
|
Goalkeeper saves |
5 |
1 |
|
Fouls committed |
13 |
11 |
|
Yellow cards |
2 |
0 |
|
Red cards |
0 |
0 |
|
Throw-ins |
23 |
19 |
|
Goal kicks |
7 |
9 |
|
Attacks |
115 |
86 |
Parkinson’s side remain unbeaten in the league, but their back-to-back 1-1 draws have also highlighted the need for further improvement before the transfer window closes.
The Red Dragons finished only one place outside the Championship play-offs last season, so expectations have naturally risen.
Their summer recruitment has included Imray, Ben Whiteman and goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, but the club are now closing in on another defensive addition.
Wrexham agree deal for Jacques Ekomie after outbidding Hamburg
Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna reports that Wrexham have reached an agreement with Angers for Jacques Ekomié.
The 23-year-old is a left-footed, 21-cap Gabon international who developed at Bordeaux before joining Angers in 2024.
Hamburg were also attempting to sign him, but Aouna claims the German top flight club could not match the financial package offered by Wrexham.
Further information from L’Équipe places the agreed fee slightly above £7 million before bonuses, and Ekomié is now travelling to Britain to complete the move.
That would make him one of the most expensive signings in Wrexham’s history and another major show of ambition from owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Ekomié would also address an obvious area of the squad.
James McClean returned to Derry City in January, while Liberato Cacace was restricted to only 13 appearances last season because of injury problems.
Ekomié is primarily a left-back but has enough defensive flexibility to operate within Parkinson’s back three and wing-back system.
He may not provide huge attacking numbers, but his pace, age and experience in Ligue 1 should help Wrexham become stronger down the left.
After a steady rather than spectacular start, his expected arrival could provide the lift Parkinson’s side need.
