Wrexham boss not underestimating struggling Oxford United

Parkinson gave his two cents on the relegation contest ahead of his side’s Tuesday night visit to the Kassam Stadium, praising the U’s despite their most recent defeat.

The Red Dragons travel to OX4 fighting for a Championship play-off place with three games to go.

“Derby game was a bad result for them,” the 58-year-old declared in his pre-match press conference.

Wrexham’s Nathan Broadhead (not pictured) scores against Oxford United (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

“West Brom winning away at Preston; Portsmouth with three wins on the bounce. So teams around them have picked up crucial results. And in [this stage of the season], that does happen; the bottom teams have that galvanising effect when it matters most.

“Unfortunately for Oxford, the teams around them have just picked up valuable wins.”

The reverse fixture back in October saw the Yellows defeated by a 1-0 score line in the first match-up between the two clubs since 2013.

Oxford now have a different manager in Matt Bloomfield and have lost only twice in their last nine games.

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“Their recent record is decent in terms of they’ve had some good home wins and, as we’ve said many times, the difference in standard between the top and the bottom, you certainly can’t underestimate any team at all.

“We went down to West Brom recently and our levels weren’t where they needed to be.

“We need to treat [Oxford] as a really good side, which they are. They’ve got a great work ethic in the team and we’ve got to be ready to match that, first and foremost.”