Why Parkinson wants to move on from 'Hollywood derby' talk

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said it was important not to focus on a supposed rivalry with Birmingham City before Friday's high profile Championship game at the Stok Cae Ras.

The game has been dubbed the 'Hollywood derby' – Wrexham are co-owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, while NFL legend Tom Brady is part of Birmingham's ownership group.

Both sides - the subjects of separate documentaries - secured automatic promotion from League One last season.

"We haven't really referenced the rivalry from last year too much because I think it's out there for everybody to know," Parkinson said.

"We had two competitive games against them last year and there was so much attention around the games.

"It's more about what we have been doing well and reproducing that and also looking at the detail of what Birmingham are all about."

McElhenney and Brady, along with former England captain David Beckham, were in attendance at St Andrew's last season when Birmingham won 3-1 before the return at the Stok Cae Ras ended 1-1.

Chris Davies' Birmingham are 11th in the Championship with one win in their last five league games while Wrexham have lost only once in six league games and are 15th.

"If we're honest, the run's been decent - take out the QPR game – we're on a decent run over quite a period of time," Parkinson added.

"I think consistency is obviously key and I think we're starting to show consistency in our game.

"We spoke to the lads this morning about a real big push tomorrow night to take us into the international break in good spirits with another good performance."

Wrexham, who drew 1-1 at Leicester City on Tuesday, are still seeking their first home league win of the season after two draws and two defeats so far.

Lewis O'Brien had put Wrexham ahead against Derby County last Saturday only for Ben Brereton Diaz's strike to deny them their first three points at home.

"Obviously we won in the EFL Cup against Reading and went through on penalties against Hull," Parkinson said.

"Derby, the game was there for us, really, and we didn't take the opportunity.

"But it's just about performance level and we're looking at the performance against Leicester and a lot of the Derby game as well and what we need to do well.

"If we can bring that to the table on Friday, we'll have a great chance."