The ‘Hollywood derby’ at Wrexham – with no Hollywood

In the end, Tom Brady, Rob McElhenney, and Ryan Reynolds were absent.

There were no other cameos at the Cae Ras, and neither of the A-list owners were present.

So much for the alleged “Hollywood derby.”

However, that does not mean that Wrexham on Friday night was the focus of the world, especially given the live-streaming of the game in the US.

The plotline grew hot in the most recent installment, but this was pure Championship, with both the good and the bad goals from George Dobson and Patrick Roberts in the 1-1 draw keeping things interesting.

The mistakes, missed opportunities, and a lot of needles in this sport equal parts frustrating and fascinating for fans. Sport doesn’t always have to be at the highest level to be captivating.

Both teams blew hot and cold with a lot of huff and puff as Storm Amy whipped around.

Wrexham demonstrated in the first half that their rebuilt team is developing as a whole.

Although the Wrexham story had a showbiz bent and the money to go, the way they managed to get there has always been more grit than glamour.

Quality was present, but it was always supported by a never-ending supply of solutions.

The good news is that Wrexham are starting to look more like that kind of side with each passing week, both at home and in Hollywood.

Wrexham’s intensity resembled that of the team’s back-to-back promotions after a tireless comeback at Leicester City.

It should have provided more than just the one goal, which also should have made Birmingham appear less sluggish.

It was a letdown for some players, who were literally on their knees by the end, but it is yet another indication that Parkinson is still working with 13 new faces to form a cohesive group.

Making sure that ethos sticks is a challenge, to the 57-year-old’s credit, even if he does look to add players who will fit into that model.

We want them to understand what it means to play for Wrexham and what expectations come with playing for this club, Parkinson said.

“Our supporters have seen real character develop on the pitch,” said one Wrexham fan.

As an example, Parkinson cited the impactful Issa Kabore, who had already become a fan favorite after a few games since joining Manchester City on loan.

Birmingham’s Tom Wagner, who had been seen before the game with both sets of supporters and had been spotted at the adjacent Turf Inn before the game, was the only American owner present at Cae Ras.

He made a rallying cry at halftime when a video that was posted on social media admitted the pitch’s energy “wasn’t great” and exhorted the fans to make more noise.

A little less noise about his own position would be nice for manager Chris Davies to make.

There have been fan fumbles about the season’s start, with one win in five league games coming up against them, remarkable given how they stylishly stormed to promotion last year.

He claimed it was because he and his team were “direction” rather than “shouting and screaming” and that half-time they were late leaving the dressing rooms.

However, it seemed like a crucial moment, and his team responded accordingly, scoring within 20 seconds and demonstrating an increase in intensity.

Although the team finished the better side, it still represents steady progress for a manager who made a point of reminding fans after the game that ambition is one thing, and Birmingham have plenty under Brady and Wagner, but it shouldn’t be done in a hurry.

“I would think we were going to cruise the Championship, but I wouldn’t believe that,” Davies said. We already knew that the season would be very, very difficult, and you would have to make money from it.

Wrexham’s optimism may be a result of their getting tighter back.

They still managed to keep one clean sheet, which will not appeal to Parkinson, but they at least don’t appear as receptive as they did at times at the beginning of the campaign.

In five of their six opening games, the team had scored two or more goals. That has been reduced from three to three games in the three that have followed.

Additionally, they were reduced in the chances of losing them.

With Conor Coady leaving and Dom Hyam signing on deadline day and the manager expressing his appreciation for his impact, Parkinson said, “We were too open out of possession from the QPR game.”

We’ve fixed that, in my opinion, and the structure is stronger. There are many positive points because the young people have embraced the change in system.

Davies may feel the same way about his side’s one major error, just as Parkinson did about disciplining them.

The fact that it was once again a set-piece irks more than the average in the division indicates that this is the sixth time the Blues have conceded from a dead ball this season.

One more example needs to be taken into account, but they adequately defended other similar scenarios.

He said, “It’s very frustrating because it’s an awful goal from our perspective, but the determination and the way we defended them all after that was excellent.”