PHIL PARKINSON described Wrexham's opening day defeat to MK Dons as a reality check.
Wrexham were promoted as National League champions after a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign but things didn't go according to plan in the Reds' first game back in the Football League following a 15-year absence.
Parkinson's men were on the wrong end of a 5-3 loss against MK Dons who took a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes at The STōK Cae Ras.
It proved to be a bridge too far for Wrexham who were installed as favourites for the League Two title but the Reds' boss will not be pressing any panic buttons.
"The lads never stopped trying to do the right things," said Parkinson.
"It was just a patchy performance in terms of the quality and obviously the defensive side of the game.
"It is one to review but not get too down as a group.
"We have had a lot of praise and there is a lot of expectancy on us, today was a day kind of like reality check time.
"It wasn't the day we wanted but ourselves and Notts County who have had a defeat as well, you come into the league and everyone is talking about you being favourites, sometimes you need a day like this like a reality check to reassess things and we will do that.
"We know it was a big day, the first game back in league football hasn't gone our way but we move on."
Jacob Mendy reduced the deficit before the break but MK Dons scored twice to take a 4-1 lead in the second half.
Wrexham pulled a late goal back through Jordan Davies and Anthony Forde netted at the death after MK Dons grabbed their fifth, and Parkinson admits his side were far from their best.
"We were frantic at the start, we played it as if it was a World Cup final and we didn't set-up," said Parkinson.
"I was disappointed with that because we have had a lot of big games here and it is important that you get the arousal levels just right where you are up for the game but you are in control, and you make good decisions.
"We gave a good team a two-goal start but we still looked like we could get back in the game.
"The minute we started linking a few passes together we looked dangerous.
"We got back in it but if we are honest, in all departments of the game we were a long way off it.
"That doesn't mean we are a long way off it in terms of the players are not up to this level because we have a team of players who have played at a high level but on today's performance, for many reasons in all aspects of the game we were below the standards you need to be to win games at this high level."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here