Wrexham midfielder Andy Cannon has hailed Phil Parkinson for giving him something he’s never had.
A promotion campaign is built by having a strong core and Andy Cannon – who made 35 appearances in League Two – flourished in Wrexham’s midfield alongside George Evans and Elliot Lee.
The 28-year-old was a vital cog in Phil Parkinson’s hunt for promotion and towards the back end of the season, he chipped in with some crucial goals.
Cannon netted a brace against Grimsby and strikes in wins over Crawley Town, Forest Green and Stockport County as Wrexham rounded off their campaign with five straight victories.
The tenacious midfield talent showed a side to his game that has rarely been seen by scoring eight goals and providing six assists in all competitions.
For context, Cannon has only scored 19 goals across his senior career, so to bag eight in a single campaign was a huge improvement and he puts it down to Parkinson’s tactical tweak.
Andy Cannon explains goal-scoring improvement at Wrexham
Cannon is normally a robust and energetic midfielder, whose primary focus is winning possession back instead of advancing into the final third.
At Wrexham however, Parkinson has given him the freedom to express himself, releasing him from the shackles of his defensive responsibility and watching him wreak havoc at the other end.
Speaking to The Leader, Cannon explains what his manager has done to get the best out of him, saying: “I think it is being further up the pitch in a different midfield role.
“I am getting forward a bit more. Every other season, I have either been pushed a little bit further back or played in the two in midfield.
“I have never had a run of games in the number eight role.
“I am just happy to contribute with goals and assists, and long may it continue.”
Andy Cannon can be an invaluable weapon in League One
Parkinson’s man management has been exemplary, evinced through Cannon’s transformation.
With the 56-year-old utilising Evans as a defensive midfielder, Cannon and Lee have been allowed to advance into the opposing box.
And although they still work extremely hard for the team, committing bodies into the final third helped Wrexham become a force to be reckoned with in the final third.
Cannon will be looking to carry his goal-scoring form into League One and there’s no reason he can’t.
After all, the former Portsmouth man has made 162 appearances in the third tier, so his vast experience at this level will be crucial to his side settling in.
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