SOUTHAMPTON, England – Welcome to the big leagues, Wrexham. This isn’t what you’ve become accustomed to. As a season opener, this sowed all the seeds that ought to bloom over the coming games. The stars of the screen were valiant; they gave it their all and made their supporters believe again. This time, though, it might not be enough.

These early scenes came with a lesson that the audience, the hierarchy, and above all, the players, will need to take away. Defending with the determination that made you a force in lower leagues is essential, but sometimes individual brilliance can spoil the grand day.

Leading Southampton, one of the strongest teams in the Championship, for over an hour would have been an unimaginable thrill for Wrexham supporters. If offered the chance to be beaten by two late Southampton goals, any fan would have likely assumed something had gone very wrong.

Still, if we view Wrexham as a football club rather than just content for entertainment, Saturday highlighted the work that lies ahead, even after briefly being top of the Championship under the bright south coast sun. Ronnie Edwards’ clumsiness led to Wrexham’s first goal in the second tier for over 43 years, showcasing flashes of potential that could unsettle even the strongest Championship teams.

Phil Parkinson has not adapted his approach for life in the second tier; Wrexham’s strategy is all about winning aerial challenges and getting to the ball first. However, at this new level, they will learn that they can’t afford to give strong teams like Southampton so much space to exploit.

In conclusion, while the spirit instilled by Parkinson and the team’s aggression is commendable, the reality of the Championship will require adjustments to prevent such defensive oversights in the future.