'It's great to have Reece Cole back'
Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell has challenged Reece Cole to return to his very best after an injury-stricken season.The 27-year-old scored seven times in 42 appearances last season after joining the Grecians on a free from non-league Hayes, having almost dropped out of the game.However, a series of injury absences has limited the midfielder to only 22 appearances and two goals this term."Reece will be the first to tell you it's been a really disappointing season," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon."He's had so many niggly injuries, but when he's on the park, when the ball drops, you want it to drop to Reece Cole because of the quality he has with his right foot and delivery from set-pieces."Cole showed glimpses of his previous form on Tuesday when he netted his first goal since August to earn his team a point against Wigan Athletic."These players have that quality," Caldwell added. "It's difficult for them to find it all the time, but Reece showed after his goal what a good player he can be. He's been a huge miss for us this year."It's great to have him back. He knows he needs to get fitter and the season will probably finish at the wrong time for him, but a good preseason and hopefully next season we'll see the very best of Reece Cole again."
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Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Paul Mullin's Wrexham exit close after Ryan Reynolds warning and frank admission
Paul Mullin looks set to leave Wrexham this summer after being frozen out by manager Phil Parkinson during the second half of their promotion-winning campaign in League One Wrexham star Paul Mullin looks to be on the brink of leaving the club, with discussions about a loan move to Wigan Athletic advancing. Since joining in July 2021, the striker has been a key figure for the Red Dragons, netting an impressive 110 goals over the last four seasons. However, he found himself sidelined during the latter half of their most recent campaign, as manager Phil Parkinson left him out of the squad. After undergoing back surgery last summer, Mullin had a shaky start to the season. The 30-year-old then quickly lost his place in the team after Parkinson bolstered his attacking options by bringing in Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez in the January transfer window. The strategy paid off as Wrexham clinched promotion from League One to the Championship in April. However, it could spell the end of Mullin's tenure at the club, especially following the recent signing of Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie. Wigan have been heavily linked with the Liverpudlian since the season ended, and according to the Mail, talks are now underway regarding a loan deal. Mullin is a fan favourite and well-liked by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. While he has tried to quash rumours of a falling-out with Parkinson, during a recent episode of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, he confessed to feeling aggrieved about being left out of the team. "I let that get to me, to be honest, from where I've been to then only being allowed to play four games and finding myself being left out of the team," Mullin said. "I resented it and I carried that for weeks because I felt it was unjust. "I think I'm more annoyed now. It's the annoyance of training every single day, doing everything I can, and looking back on everything I've done. "I feel like I was a main part of why we got into this situation, and then I'm not being allowed the platform to get back there, or the opportunity to go and do it again. It's difficult. I don't know what's caused him (Parkinson) to trust me less, but he clearly does." In candid moments recorded before the close of the season, he added: "Just to play one game in the Championship with Wrexham would be worth absolutely everything. It would be the icing on the cake for this story and who knows where it could end. "I've enjoyed every minute here, and if we could get to the Championship, then that'd be phenomenal. From a personal perspective, I don't think I'll have any part to play in it going forward." Ex-Wrexham boss Dean Saunders recently said that he thinks Mullin can muscle his way back into Parkinson's favour. However, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker also cautioned Reynolds and McElhenney that the striker may struggle stepping up a level. "I absolutely think Paul Mullin could score goals in the Championship," Saunders told "It wasn't long ago that we were talking about him playing for Wales. "He has always scored goals in every league he's played in, so he is capable of scoring goals in the Championship. But the defenders get better as you go up the leagues, so he will have to be smarter and work harder for every goal. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. "It's all about speed of thought, so if he is aware of that and works hard, I'm sure he can score plenty next year for Wrexham, but it will be tough for him to adapt." Andy Morrell, a former striker and manager of Wrexham, also said he hoped Mullin would stay on and vie for his spot. "We all know he's got goals in him, he's a finisher, and we've seen him show it against Championship sides in the past," Morrell told BBC Sport Wales this week. "I hope he comes back really fit and goes and smashes pre-season - and perhaps gives the manager a decision to make. His mind may already be made up, he (Mullin) may already have been told, but I'd love to see him give it that shot and make sure Phil Parkinson has got to make that decision." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Ryan Reynolds' favourite Wrexham player who starred in Deadpool in talks over transfer exit after being frozen out
PAUL MULLIN, once the poster boy of Wrexham's fairytale rise, is heading for the exit door after a dramatic fall from grace. The 30-year-old striker, who bagged goals galore to fire the Red Dragons to back-to-back promotions, is now in talks to join Wigan Athletic. 4 4 4 According to the Daily Mail, Mullin has been frozen out at the Racecourse Ground. The report further claims the striker clashed with manager Phil Parkinson in January and he hasn't kicked a ball since. Rumour has it the frustrated forward even phoned Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to vent his fury over being benched. And things have gone from bad to worse after the January arrivals of Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez saw Mullin slip further down the pecking order. Now the club have landed Ryan Hardie from Plymouth which effectively slams the door shut on Mullin's hopes of a comeback. Despite Mullin playing down talk of a rift, his days at Wrexham look numbered. Wigan have been circling for months and are finally pushing to seal a loan swoop. Mullin, who is on £5.8k a week and hastwo years left on his deal, could now be on the move as tensions boil over behind the scenes at Wrexham. From hero to outcast, it's a stunning twist in the tale of one of football's unlikeliest stories. There are growing reports that Wrexham could still go in for Jamie Vardy, who will be on the move this summer. 4 They're looking to add experience as they aim to engineer another promotion that would land them in the Premier League. But so far, there's been little to suggest Vardy will be heading to the Racecourse Ground, with interest in him also coming from the MLS.
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
Paul Mullin closing in on Wrexham exit after Ryan Reynolds warning and 'resentment' claim
Paul Mullin closing in on Wrexham exit after Ryan Reynolds warning and 'resentment' claim Wrexham's Paul Mullin may be about to leave on loan to Wigan Athletic after falling out of favour under Phil Parkinson, despite being a key figure in the club's rise since 2021 Wrexham star Paul Mullin could be set to make a loan move to Wigan (Image: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images ) Wrexham star Paul Mullin appears to be nearing an exit from the club as talks over a loan move to Wigan Athletic progress. The striker has been a talisman for the Red Dragons since joining in July 2021, scoring 110 goals across four seasons. However, he experienced a surprising fall from grace during the second half of their latest campaign after being frozen out of the squad by manager Phil Parkinson. Mullin struggled for form early this term after undergoing back surgery last summer. The 30-year-old swiftly fell down the pecking order after Parkinson strengthened his forward line by signing Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez during the January transfer window. It was a decision that paid off as Wrexham secured promotion from League One to the Championship in April, but could signal the end of Mullin's time with the club following the recent addition of Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie. Wigan have been strongly linked with the Liverpudlian following the end of the season and, according to the Mail, discussions are now taking place over a loan deal. Mullin, who is a popular figure with Wrexham's fans and Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has tried to play down rumours of a rift between him and Parkinson. But he admitted to feeling resentment at being left out of the team during a recently aired episode of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. "I let that get to me, to be honest, from where I've been to then only being allowed to play four games and finding myself being left out of the team," Mullin said. "I resented it and I carried that for weeks because I felt it was unjust. Article continues below Paul Mullin could leave Wrexham despite being close with co-owner Ryan Reynolds (Image: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images ) "I think I'm more annoyed now. It's the annoyance of training every single day, doing everything I can, and looking back on everything I've done. "I feel like I was a main part of why we got into this situation, and then I'm not being allowed the platform to get back there, or the opportunity to go and do it again. It's difficult. I don't know what's caused him (Parkinson) to trust me less, but he clearly does." Speaking in scenes recorded before the end of the season, he candidly added: "Just to play one game in the Championship with Wrexham would be worth absolutely everything. It would be the icing on the cake for this story and who knows where it could end. "I've enjoyed every minute here, and if we could get to the Championship, then that'd be phenomenal. From a personal point of view, I don't think I'll have any part to play in it from here on in." Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. Former Wrexham manager Dean Saunders recently said he believes Mullin has the potential to force himself back into Parkinson's plans. But the ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa frontman warned Reynolds and McElhennery that their favourite player would not find it easy at the next level. "I absolutely think Paul Mullin could score goals in the Championship," Saunders told "It wasn't long ago that we were talking about him playing for Wales. "He has always scored goals in every league he's played in, so he is capable of scoring goals in the Championship. But the defenders get better as you go up the leagues, so he will have to be smarter and work harder for every goal. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here "It's all about speed of thought, so if he is aware of that and works hard, I'm sure he can score plenty next year for Wrexham, but it will be tough for him to adapt." Former Wrexham striker and manager Andy Morrell is another person who would like to see Mullin stay and fight for his place. Article continues below "We all know he's got goals in him, he's a finisher, and we've seen him show it against Championship sides in the past," Morrell told BBC Sport Wales this week. "I hope he comes back really fit and goes and smashes pre-season - and perhaps gives the manager a decision to make. His mind may already be made up, he (Mullin) may already have been told, but I'd love to see him give it that shot and make sure Phil Parkinson has got to make that decision."
