WHEN Phil Parkinson is angry and criticising his players, you know Wrexham have under-performed.
The Reds were architects of their own downfall as two poor goals handed Birmingham City a 2-1 victory at The Racecourse, and there could be no complaints with the final result.
That was the Blues' first Championship win of the season at the third attempt while Wrexham, who drew both of their opening two matches 1-1, are still searching for theirs.
Parkinson didn't hold back after the game when he said they were 'two of the softest goals we’ve conceded' since he took charge five years ago, and that he was 'shellshocked' by the defending.
So were the Wrexham supporters in the ground who saw their side struggle to make an impact in the first half.
Birmingham took the lead but it didn't spark the Reds into life with the hosts lacking creativity in the final third.
Wrexham were given a let-off at the other end of the pitch on a couple of occasions and really should have been behind by more at the break.
An improvement was needed and we got there was one, with the ever-impressive Callum Doyle levelling nine minutes into the second period.
But although they continued to enjoy some promising moments, Wrexham again pressed the self-destruct button and conceded another goal that was avoidable.
The defending just wasn't good enough and it means Parkinson's men haven't kept a clean sheet so far this season.
But there were also issues at the top end of the pitch because there was no cutting edge in that first half when Wrexham were lucky to only be 1-0 down.
They were better in the second half and you hoped they would build on Doyle's goal.
The good spell continued but when Birmingham regained the lead, the Reds just couldn't fashion many opportunities to get something out of the game despite wing-back Issa Kabore, who has made his loan move from Manchester City permanent, making inroads down the right when he came on for his second 'debut'.
With the transfer window closing on September 1, you wouldn't be surprised to see Parkinson active.
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Five new signings have arrived at The Racecourse so far this summer but it would be no surprise to see the Reds' boss add a striker and centre-back to his squad.
More players will leave the club to make room for fresh faces to there should be no shortage of activity before the window slams shut.
Then all the speculation can be put to bed and Parkinson can concentrate on working with the players he's got.
Defeat is hardly the end of the world with Wrexham one point better off than they were after three games last season.
If they cut out gifting sloppy goals, create more chances and take them, the Reds will start flying up the league and hopefully become play-off contenders like they did last term after taking time to adjust to the step-up to the second tier.
All eyes with be on the ins and outs before Wednesday's next game at Millwall and hopefully then you'll see Wrexham really start to click because there's still a long way to go.
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