DON GOODMAN does not think Wrexham will be promoted this season and he has told Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to be realistic when the Reds make the step-up to League One.

Phil Parkinson’s side finished runners-up in League Two last term and are preparing for life in the third tier which starts with a home game against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

Having previously clinched the National League title following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign, Wrexham have secured back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club’s history.

Although they are tipped to push for at least a play-off spot in 2024-25, former striker Goodman - who played for the likes of West Brom, Sunderland and Wolves - says the step-up is bigger than what Wrexham have ever experienced and it would be unfair to expect more success immediately despite the high expectations at The Racecourse.

However, the 58-year-old, who is now Sky Sports’ EFL expert pundit, says that the Reds could become contenders if they make a good start to the season

He told OLBG - www.olbg.com - “There’s always pressure at Wrexham. Having made the jump from National League to League One pretty seamlessly, I think this is where it gets harder.

“The gap between League Two and League One is way, way bigger than the jump they’ve previously encountered.

“Paul Mullin has had surgery, so they’ll be without him for a little while. But if Wrexham can hit the ground running and use the crowd as a 12th man, they could be on the periphery of pushing for promotion.

“But it would not be fair on Wrexham and Phil Parkinson to expect them to arrive in League One and blow teams away every week. Hopefully, the owners will carry that realistic view.

“If they get off to a good start, then anything is possible. But in my opinion, the gap from League Two to League One is a lot bigger than the gap between the National League and League Two.”

Sky Bet’s League One promotion odds: Birmingham 4/6; Bolton 9/4; Rotherham 5/2; Huddersfield 7/2; Charlton 4/1; Barnsley 9/2; Blackpool 9/2 Peterborough 9/2; Wrexham 5/1; Lincoln 11/2; Stockport 13/2; Reading 15/2; Wigan 15/2; Wycombe 15/2; Mansfield 12/1; Leyton Orient 14/1; Bristol Rovers 16/1; Stevenage 20/1; Burton 22/1; Exeter 28/1; Northampton 33/1; Cambridge 40/1; Shrewsbury 50/1; Crawley 66/1.