Wrexham players are drawing inspiration from the Racecourse Ground's storied giant-killings as they prepare to face Premier League powerhouse Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round. Centre back Dominic Hyam noted that manager Phil Parkinson has shown the squad historical footage of past major upsets at the stadium.
Wrexham has already eliminated Premier League side Nottingham Forest this season. Under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney since 2021, the club has achieved three consecutive promotions and is currently sixth in the Championship, vying for a playoff spot.
Hyam acknowledged the underdog status against Chelsea, one of the world's biggest teams, but emphasized the magic of the FA Cup and the team's ambition to "make another bit of history."
Manager Phil Parkinson described the mindset as "everything to gain, nothing to lose" against Chelsea, viewing it as a crucial test of their quality, similar to the Nottingham Forest match. He highlighted the hard work required to reach this stage and secure a strong league position.
Parkinson stressed the importance of belief entering every game, combined with an understanding of the underdog mentality needed to challenge a top opponent. Hyam echoed this sentiment, recalling his own goal against Forest as a testament to what's possible on "magic" FA Cup nights, despite the anticipated difficulty of the Chelsea fixture.