Wrexham striker Paul Mullin has told talkSPORT.com his side ‘don’t fear anyone’ ahead of another potential giant killing against Sheffield United.
The second-tier Blades travel to Wales to take on the National League outfit in the FA Cup on Sunday, which you can hear live on talkSPORT.
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The three-division gap might seem like a step too far for a team only taken over by Hollywood royalty Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney just two years ago, but they’ve already done it once.
A 4-3 win over United’s fellow Championship side Coventry is the shock of the cup so far, but for their top scorer and talisman Mullin, it was business as usual.
“With the Coventry game especially and the Sheffield United game, we go into it expecting to win the game and try our best to win the game,” he said.
“We set up a plan and work on it to beat the opposition no matter who they are and I think the lads in the dressing room went into the Coventry game full of belief that we could go and get the job done.
“For us it was back to more important games on Tuesday which is the league, it’s your bread and butter, where you earn your money and I think Tuesday was just as big a win [2-1 vs promotion rivals Bromley] but we won’t fear going into any game.”
The league certainly is where glory lies for Wrexham, with their pursuit of that elusive promotion to the football league the subject of the hit Disney+ documentary Welcome to Wrexham.
@paulmullin12
Along with Reynolds and McElenney, Mullin is the star of the show, with his mighty impressive return of 45 goals in 64 games putting the Reds well on course to achieve their goal.
The striker has described the ownership duo as fantastic, saying ‘they’re the same as us’ and complimenting their accessibility and down-to-earth nature.
Wrexham now boast a record of 25 wins from 34 matches in all competitions this season with just two defeats, and they sit five clear at the top of the table with a 15-game unbeaten run.
Mullin was questioned for his decision to leave Cambridge – who he’d just guided to League One by breaking the fourth-tier’s scoring record – to join the Wrexham revolution, but it’s so far paying off.
“For me it was sort of rinse and repeat,” he said. “Throughout my career, anyone can look back over the stats if they want but I’d already scored goals a lot of the time not starting games and playing out of position.
“When I went to Cambridge I just knew I needed game time to show I could do it full time rather than part time off of the substitute bench.
“I loved it, the manager was great and the whole town was fantastic for me and I loved my time there but going to Wrexham it was the same.
“I don’t really care what anyone has to say about me or any expectations from other people, it’s just what I expect from myself, the only pressure I can put on myself is from me and that couldn’t be greater.”
Liverpool-born Mullin, who was in both Everton and Liverpool’s academies, stressed in Welcome to Wrexham how important it was to return back to the north west, a decision he is now cherishing.
“My little boy was a big factor in me coming back home and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” the 28-year-old explained.
“Witnessing his development over the past few years, being able to see him every day and give him a real routine has helped him a lot, and also myself, as mentally it’s tough when you don’t get to see him every day.
Twitter: @VancityReynolds
“Coming back home was brilliant for me, but coming to Wrexham was even better, ever since I’ve got here I’ve loved every minute and coming home every night to see my partner, my baby and the rest of my family.
“It relieves some pressure that does come from outside, I try not to be bothered by that but it does naturally come on but when you get to come home at the end of the day and see your family you don’t sit on it as long.”
The impact on Mullin is certainly clear, and on the town too, with the striker praising ‘genuine’ ownership from a duo who ‘want to help the community’.
That’s reflected in not only help around the town, but also their beloved team finally on the up.
Commenting on the 4,000 Wrexham fans that were in attendance at Coventry, Mullin remarked: “It’s Premier League support really.
“We’d have sold out double if we’d been given the tickets which is a credit to them because they work hard for their money to pay and travel to come and watch us, never mind coming to the home games which are sold out too.
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“It’s an absolute honour for us to play in front of them because not many teams get to do that, but it’s something we relish and something we enjoy because ultimately without them we’re not here.
“I can only say from when I signed for the club, but since I got here it’s been nothing but the owners trying to help the community and the club progress to the next stage, the stuff they do for the food banks and the surrounding areas.
“The attention they’ve brought to Wrexham, they’ve got people coming to support from afar.
“They come to watch us play and there’s young kids now who want to support Wrexham, I’ve had plenty of messages about how over the past few years the young kids have been walking around in Liverpool in Manchester United and Chelsea shirts, all the top teams.
@paulmullin12
“Now I get a lot of messages saying they’re now all proud of their Wrexham tops with Mullin on the back or [Ollie] Palmer or [Aaron] Hayden so it’s great to see.
“Hopefully it can keep taking the community forward because they’re really committed to coming to the games, they work hard for their money but they spend it coming to watch us so we’ll try to repay them.”
Right now, there’s no doubt the fans are getting repaid, with the number one goal currently on course to be achieved, and cup dreams in full flow.
But if Mullin can keep scoring at his current rate, it surely won’t be long before shirts become murals, with legendary status on the line as Wrexham aim for history.
