YORK City face arguably their toughest test of the season to date when they host Vanarama National League leaders Wrexham at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday (12.30pm).

Wrexham are a point clear at the top of the table, having lost just twice all season. No other National League side have scored more goals and only Notts County have conceded fewer.

We spoke Nathan Salt of the Wrexham podcast RobRyanRed for a further insight into York’s opponents.

How would you assess Wrexham’s start so far this season?

“We’re top of the table, into the third round of the FA Cup, so it’s hard to really have any complaints.

“Our two losses came away to Chesterfield and Notts County, the two teams who we are probably battling for promotion against.

“There’s a belief that we can go unbeaten at home through the entire season and on the road, it’s not as bad as some fans think, we’re fifth.

“We look like we’ve got a deeper squad than last season and we’re reaping the rewards of that.”

Naturally, expectations must have risen since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over?

“This season it really is title or bust. Promotion is definitely the aim this season and anything less would be a massive underachievement.”

How confident are you of achieving that?

“As a Wrexham fan, confidence isn’t really part of our DNA. But I think we’ll do it. 

“I think this is the season for us. We’ve got players like Paul Mullin, who I think is the best player in the division by far.

“Elliot Lee, Aaron Hayden and Jacob Mendy are all brilliant footballers. A large chunk of our squad are playing below their level (in the pyramid).

“That should tell over the course of the season.”

The new ownership is obviously a massive part of the Wrexham story at the moment.

“It’s been like a lottery win for us. We were previously owned by the fans and we had a mid-table budget.

“We were managed by the likes of Bryan Hughes, Dean Keates, Sam Ricketts, who tried the best they could with lesser-quality players than we have now to get us in the play-offs.

“We punched above our weight from time to time but it didn’t work. 
“When Covid hit, the club’s future was at stake and I don’t know how the fans would have navigated that financially.

“For Rob and Ryan, who have no links to Wrexham whatsoever, to throw themselves into the area, getting involved in local causes and just understanding what the club and town represents, there’s no criticism from me. We’ve really hit the jackpot. 

“I just hope success follows. I hope they can be the ones that deliver that as we’ve never felt closer as a club in our non-league period.”

The ownership publicity has brought lots of attention from outside. There must be fans wanting Wrexham to lose every week now?

“A lot of people want it to end in tears.

“Like anything in life, more attention brings more critics. We’ve been called ‘Disney FC’ but we embrace it and we’re enjoying it.

“Wrexham are back on the map. If Wrexham go up it’s everyone’s worst nightmare, which is brilliant for us.”

How much are you looking forward to visiting York this weekend?

“For a lot of fans, it was a fixture they circled quite early on after the Boxing Day game.

“We’ve never been to the new ground before so we’re excited. We’ve sold out our allocation and there’s been so much demand for tickets to the York match.

“It feels like one of the games of the season. Even though our away form hasn’t been as good as our home form, it’s a big opportunity for us to stay top of the league.”