Whatever happens between now and the remainder of the EFL Trophy campaign, the competition has become invaluable in Wrexham’s hopes of giving youth a chance.
20-year-old Josh Adam started in the heart of Phil Parkinson’s midfield during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with League Two high-flyers Port Vale, while 19-year-old Aaron James was included in the middle of Wrexham’s back three.
There were opportunities for 21-year-old Sebastian Revan and 18-year-old Harry Ashfield off the bench too.
And Parkinson – the Wrexham boss also mentioned James Rainbird, Harry Dean and Callum Edwards pre-match – could yet benefit later down the line after using the cup competitions as an opportunity for the club’s next generation to stake their claim.
Aaron James delighted after starting Wrexham’s Porto Vale clash
Teenager James, for instance, has made five of his six senior appearances in the EFL Trophy.
And, speaking at full-time, the Chester-born stopper was happy not only with his performance but also with the strides he has made alongside the more senior members of Parkinson’s roster.
“The game was really good. I thought it was quite a competitive game,” James smiles, Max Cleworth giving Wrexham the lead before Rico Richards equalised for a Port Vale side who would go on to win on penalties.
“I thought we dominated and played quite well in the first-half. Second-half, we obviously went ahead, and I think they grew into the game more as our legs went a little bit. But, overall, both teams played well and we are just disappointed to concede that set-piece late on.
“It’s been brilliant. I think the only way you can truly improve in football is by playing as many matches as possible, so getting the game time, the minutes, in this competition is really important, alongside the Central League games.
“It’s really good to play in those games, to be around the first-team and kind of get that experience and hopefully progress further in the future.”
EFL Trophy starlet open to Wrexham loan exit
Wrexham youth coach Nick Chadwick has been full of praise for James’ emergence as a potential first-team option in recent times. While he is yet to make his League One bow, another eye-catching display against experienced opposition will do him his reputation harm.
James, meanwhile, admits that he is now eyeing up a loan move during the January transfer window after getting the taste for senior action.
“I would like to maybe go on loan in January to play more minutes,” James sasys. “[But] these opportunities have helped develop me. Playing against a proper good EFL side, it can only help my development alongside the other young lads.
“So hopefully the opportunities keep coming and I keep taking them!
“Just enjoy it, that is the main message from the coaching staff and all the players. And I have done. There’s not a lot of pressure put on the young lads. They create a really good environment for the development young players like myself, like Josh, like Harry Ash.”
At the time, Parkinson lauded the ‘intelligence’ with which he goes about his business both on and off the pitch. And, after Wrexham secured their home advantage in the last-32 of the EFL Trophy, the manager singled out James for what he felt was a ‘brilliant’ display on the night.
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