Wrexham forward Josh Windass has lauded the exceptional team culture at the club, attributing much of its success to manager Phil Parkinson's distinctive approach to player recruitment. Windass emphasized that this positive atmosphere, fostered by Parkinson, Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and the players themselves, sets Wrexham apart from other clubs.
Despite facing a calf injury that impacted his pre-season preparations and prevented him from joining the team's tour of the United States, Windass remains optimistic about the upcoming season. He described his rehabilitation in the sun as a silver lining to the setback. "It is frustrating not to be playing but I’m not one for pre-season games. I think they’re all nonsense. Whether you win or lose, the proof will be in the pudding," Windass stated.
Last season, Windass scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 28 league starts after joining from Sheffield Wednesday. While the team ultimately missed out on the play-offs on the final day, Windass noted a significant improvement in performance from Christmas onwards, with Wrexham establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the league during that period. "From Christmas onwards we were one of the top three or four teams in the league and, once you've got the proof you can do it (it’s massive). If we'd have done that all season, we'd have had a good chance of promotion," he said.
Windass highlighted Parkinson's ability to recruit players who not only fit the team's style of play but also possess strong character and a willingness to bond. "He's had so much success. The way he recruits players for the dressing room, not just for the style of play (is amazing). I don't think he's made a bad signing in terms of that. He does his due diligence with character references. He signs good players, but ultimately he signs boys who want to fight for each other and get on, both on and off the pitch," Windass explained. He added that Parkinson seems to possess a "a magic spell" for bringing in players who contribute positively to the team environment.
The club's Hollywood owners, Reynolds and McElhenney, are also praised for their engagement with the players. "They’re the same with every player. They speak to us all the time and we're just a reflection of them. They're winners and the club has shown that in the last five years," Windass commented.
Unlike previous seasons marked by significant squad turnover, Wrexham is experiencing a period of continuity this year, with the majority of the team remaining intact. This stability, Windass believes, will be a considerable advantage. He acknowledged the need for defensive improvement, having conceded more goals than some relegated teams last season, but expressed confidence in the team's cohesion. "We've got 98 per cent of the team still here, we're all used to playing with each other and we get on great. The new signings have settled in seamlessly, so we're going to have a good chance," he stated.
Looking ahead, Windass expressed a humorous ambition for the season's end: "Hopefully, I'm on a plane to Vegas having just won promotion. And I've scored 20… no, I’ve scored 507 goals!"
Recent additions to the squad include Crystal Palace full-back Danny Imray and Preston captain Ben Whiteman. Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson is also expected to join the team, alongside Steve Nickson as director of football, further strengthening the squad for their promotion push.