Championship: Five talking points from Wrexham defeat

Phil Parkinson's side went down to a disappointing 2-1 reverse to Birmingham City at The Racecourse on Friday night.

The Blues took the lead in the first half when Wrexham were well below par and although there was an improvement after the break, with Callum Doyle equalising, the visitors scored the next goal to inflict defeat on the Reds who are still searching for their first league win of the season.

Here's five talking points from the game.

1. The defending for both goals was poor.

Parkinson summed it up when he said Wrexham conceded two of the softest goals in his five year spell as Reds boss.

The defence switched off on both occasions and Birmingham could have been more than 1-0 up at the break after the Reds struggled to cope.

There's been no clean sheet in the opening four league and cup games this term, with five goals shipped, and Parkinson was right to call out his players because Wrexham will struggle if they continue to gift goals.

2. Callum Doyle was the bright spark once again.

On a hugely disappointing night, Doyle again emerged with credit.

Always hungry for the ball, the centre-back picked out some superb passes and always willing to get forward to support attacks, he got the equaliser after meeting Lewis O'Brien's brilliant cross.

The new season is only a few matches old but Doyle has already been one of Wrexham's stand-out players.

3. Creativity and scoring goals is an issue.

With three league games gone, Wrexham have scored three goals.

It could have been more after chances were squandered in the 1-1 draw at Cardiff on the opening weekend while the Reds also had opportunities in the 1-1 stalemate with Watford.

But there was a lack of creativity in the first half against Birmingham and although they played better after the break, chances were in short supply and Wrexham haven't clicked so far in the final third.

4. An overreaction to defeat.

Although it was a disappointing performance against Birmingham, it was Wrexham's first defeat of the season.

They could easily have won the opening two games which both ended in a draw, and when the Reds equalised at home to the Blues, it could have gone either way but poor defending led to defeat.

Nobody likes losing and no-one was more frustrated with the display than Parkinson, but it is still early days with a long way to go so a sense of perspective is needed.

5. More ins and outs to come.

By the time Wrexham head to Millwall for the next game on Wednesday night, the transfer window will have closed and there will be more changes to the squad.

Departures are inevitable to make room for new signings and Parkinson will then have a settled group of players to work with until the turn of the year.

It is clear he has positions to strengthen and players will have to move on to get game-time so it should be busy between now and 11pm on Tuesday night.