The mind and methods of Wrexham's composed icon

When the stakes are at their highest, one man possesses the ability to remain ice-cold under pressure like few others can.

Phil Parkinson is preparing Wrexham for yet another monumental occasion as his side bid to keep their hopes of securing a fourth consecutive promotion alive.

It is not a new scenario for the experienced boss.

Time and time again since becoming the man tasked with spearheading the Red Dragons' resurgence by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, Parkinson has delivered.

The secret? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

"He'll just keep the message exactly the same. He will literally keep everything running as normal," Ben Tozer, a pivotal figure in the first two Wrexham promotions under Parkinson, told BBC Sport Wales.

Wrexham go into Saturday's contest against Middlesbrough at Stok Cae Ras (12:30 BST) with the narrowest of margins over the two others alongside them in the race for the final top-six spot in the Championship.

The Red Dragons sit above seventh-placed Hull City due to their goal difference, superior by one, and one point clear of Derby County who are eighth.

Parkinson has already confirmed he will assign a member of his coaching staff with the responsibility of monitoring Hull's contest with Norwich City and Derby's fixture against Sheffield United during the course of Wrexham's own match against Boro.

But Parkinson will not allow his players to become distracted by events away from north Wales this weekend.

"When you're in the dressing room before games like this, people can be overthinking it," Tozer explained.

And the former club captain knows Parkinson's approach will be straightforward.

"He'll just say 'we just keep doing what we've done'. It's that simple," he added.

It is the kind of trait recognised by the current squad too.

Speaking before his side's 2-0 victory over Stoke City on 18 April, midfielder Ollie Rathbone said of Parkinson: "He's very consistent. Throughout the whole season, he doesn't really get too high and he doesn't really get too low.

"The message always stays the same and it makes it easier for us players."

They have not always gone their way, but Wrexham are no strangers to crunch moments.

And given their astonishing track record of late, why change a winning formula?

Following their gut-wrenching 5-4 National League play-off semi-final loss to Grimsby Town at the end of Parkinson's first season in charge of Wrexham in 2022, the club has enjoyed a rapid rise.

They won an enthralling encounter with title rivals Notts County 3-2 just 12 days prior to officially securing a return to the Football League by beating Boreham Wood 3-1 in north Wales in 2023.

That was followed by further automatic promotions from League Two and League One, the latter in which they claimed an emphatic 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic in their final home game to clinch a spot in the Championship.

"They're in a great position, so why would you change?" added Tozer.

"They won't drift too far away from what's been getting them success."

Despite exuding a calm exterior in the midst of the talk of play-offs and permutations, the fire will no doubt be burning inside Parkinson, particularly after referee Oliver Langford blows his whistle to kick-start proceedings against Middlesbrough.

It is that blend of composure and passion from the boss that fills even the most experienced members of the Wrexham squad with supreme confidence.

"From the gaffer's point of view, he's so experienced, he's got so many games under his belt," said 34-year-old midfielder Matty James.

"He's just a calming figure around the place. He'll be there and he'll come alive on Saturday, I'm sure."

Even before guiding Wrexham to three promotions in a row, Parkinson knew what it takes to deliver success.

But given the club's unprecedented rise, even co-chairman Mac has been taken aback by Parkinson's qualities - stating earlier this year that the manager has "the job for life".

So it is perhaps only fair - particularly before a game that will not define the club, but one that could help elevate its achievements to levels many could not even have dreamed of as recently as 2023 when the Red Dragons were in the National League - that Parkinson has his own say on his processes.

"As always in any of these games, whether it's a big cup tie or it's a pivotal league game, it's about blocking everything out," said Parkinson.

"The motivation is always going to be there, an understanding of concentrating on the detail of what's required on the day.

"It's just having that level of understanding about how Middlesbrough are going to play, what their strengths are, what the weaknesses are and can we put that into practise when it matters the most on the most important game of the season.

"That's a great challenge for us and we're looking forward to seeing the lads put that into place come Saturday lunchtime."