PHIL PARKINSON says Wrexham aren’t the big boys anymore as they prepare for Saturday’s kick-off.

The Reds are getting ready for their first season in League One in close to two decades after securing back-to-back promotions.

While acknowledging Wrexham may have been a big draw for other clubs while the Reds were rising from the National League, he admits the coming season will be different.

“I think it’s something we’ve spoke about that playing that underdog card, because, of course, there’s some huge clubs who’ve spent an awful lot of money already in this transfer window, whereas last year, we went to grounds and everybody wanted to beat us,” Parkinson told reporters during the clubs tour in North America.

“We were the big team coming into town.

“It’s going to be different and, you know, the advantage of that is that there is a lot of expectancy on teams in League One, you know, the Birminghams, Boltons and Charltons and those types of team. Huddersfield and plenty more, who’ll be expected to be right at the top end of the league.

“We’ve got work to do, but we’re getting there and we want to be as competitive as we possibly can be, because it’s great for the club.”

Parkinson said it was tricky to judge how the other clubs in the division are looking ahead of the big kick-off.

“It’s the first time in this division for 19 years and everybody’s very excited about getting back into League One and it’s difficult at the moment to completely judge everyone’s squads, because there’s changes happening all the time and every day, people are signing players,” added Parkinson.

“Some are moving on. So, I think the key to it is to build a squad which has got good depth.

“I think that’s so important. My experience of being a manager in any league, you know, you’ve got to accept you’re going to get injuries.

“You’re going to get suspensions. The games come thick and fast.

“You’ve got to make sure you’ve got cover in all areas and we’re trying to piece that together and my first year at the club in the National League, that cost us, where we didn’t have strong enough players in behind the first XI.

“The second year, we rectified that and we’re working towards that now.”

Parkinson stressed that the side was preparing well for the season, which begins with Saturday’s home match against Wycombe Wanderers.

“Expectancy has always been high on us at Wrexham, because of the profile of the club,” he said.

“So, we’re preparing well for the season. We’ve got work to do yet, but the squad’s looking in a good place.”