Stephen (@StephenJBaker) follows up our latest podcast and expands the discussion on a potential Cymru call-up for Wrexham AFC striker Paul Mullin.
One potential call-up that’s been talked about a lot, perhaps more than who will replace Gareth Bale and Joe Allen, is if Paul Mullin should be given a chance to play for Cymru? In case you are wondering, although he is from Merseyside, he has a Welsh Grandmother so he’s eligible. There are a few common questions that people are asking about giving him chance. Here is my view on some of those questions.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut he plays Non-League football?
Let’s face it, he isn’t a Non-league footballer. He could easily step into most Championship sides and until this season our strikers have played for Championship teams (Kieffer Moore) or not have a club at all (Hal Robson-Kanu). Since signing for Wrexham in 2021 he has played for them 70 times scoring 52 times, including 26 goals in 32 matches this season. I know there it is still a massive step-up to International football but with a friendly coming up against Gibraltar what do we have to lose?
Embed from Getty ImagesDoes he have enough experience against higher level teams?
That is one problem. The highest level he’s played was one season in League One, playing 20 times and scoring 3 times for Tranmere. But watching Wrexham’s FA Cup matches this season he did not look out of place against a team that will be in the Premier League next season. Using his experience to win a penalty against Sheffield United.
Embed from Getty ImagesCan he score goals for Cymru?
Let’s face it, goals are something we’ve been missing recently. Again, I know this is at a different level but in the 2020-21 season he scored 32 goals for Cambridge United. And has I mentioned has added 52 since joining Wrexham. Rob Page’s formation will decide if Mullin can fit into the team, but you can imagine him running on goal after a Kieffer Moore knock down.
Embed from Getty ImagesAge?
Being 28 years old he still have a few years left in his legs. But would Robert Page rather go with a player in his early 20’s? Someone who has four maybe five tournaments in their future. But is there a player in the Under 21s ready for the step-up? And how would it affect that player to be sent back down if it doesn’t work out in the first few matches?
In my opinion I would say call up Mullin for the next two qualifiers. Take a look at him in training and have him on the bench. If we need to grab a goal with 10 minutes to go maybe throw him on.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut I would definitely play him in some capacity against Gibraltar. With no offence intended towards the Gibraltar team, they are not at our level and we could afford to make a few changes in that game.
Also, if the rebuilt Kop Stand at the Racecourse is finished then there is a good chance that the game will be played in Wrexham. What better way to celebrating Cymru International Football returning to its birth place than having the forward line led by a Wrexham player?