When opera singer Andrew Hiers took a side gig as a car salesman in Cocoa, Florida, his talent was not as evident on the showroom floor. But once the bass-baritone posted a video of himself singing a car’s praises, his sales hit a high note. Luke Burbank reports.
Source link
Selling cars for a song
Psychedelic therapy may be coming to your doctor’s office as questions swirl
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
As President Donald Trump backs efforts to advance psychedelic drugs, doctors are speaking out about how the move could impact mental health treatments.
On Friday, Trump signed an executive order to fast-track the research, funding and potential FDA approval of psychedelics like ibogaine, psilocybin, LCD and MDMA, primarily to treat PTSD, depression and addiction.
Psychedelics, psychoactive compounds that act largely through serotonin pathways, are being studied in controlled clinical settings for mental health treatment, experts say.
SINGLE DOSE OF POWERFUL PSYCHEDELIC CUTS DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN CLINICAL STUDY
Trump’s move is drawing mixed reactions, with supporters praising its potential to transform mental health treatment, particularly for veterans, while critics warn about limited evidence on safety and effectiveness.
“The president’s action today opens a pathway to research that will further open doors to expedited approval of this life-saving medicine as a treatment for our veterans — and society — who have suffered for decades from treatment-resistant PTSD, TBI (traumatic brain injury) and depression,” Jay Kopelman, former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and CEO of Mission to Live Foundation in San Diego, told Fox News Digital.
Doctors are speaking out about how the latest move by the president on psychedelic drugs could impact mental health treatments. (iStock)
“This act will require the VA Health System to begin psychedelics research and clinical trials, making psychedelics available to veterans for whom the traditional modalities of care (SSRIs and talk therapy) haven’t worked.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, agreed that psychedelics hold “big potential” for severe depression and PTSD, and said he supports Trump’s commitment to funding more research.
PSYCHEDELIC DRUG POPULAR IN 1960S COULD EASE ANXIETY AS DOCTORS SHARE WARNINGS
“It changes brain chemistry in a way that can provide more modulation of dopamine, serotonin and other neurochemicals, making a patient less fearful,” he told Fox News Digital.
“At the same time, the psychiatric impact of psychedelics can be useful to change perception in a positive way.”
President Trump holds a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 18, 2026. The order aims to expedite research and access to psychedelics used outside the U.S. to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. (Allison Robbert/The Washington Post/Bloomberg)
Siegel emphasized, however, that these therapies need to be further researched, and that doses and exact indications must be carefully determined.
Juliana Mercer, a 16-year Marine Corps veteran and the executive director of New York-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans, applauded the presidents’ move as a “meaningful step.”
“The psychiatric impact of psychedelics can be useful to change perception in a positive way.”
“The people who need this most are those who have already tried everything and found no real relief,” she told Fox News Digital.
“I think about veterans I served with, people who have done years of therapy, cycled through medications, and are still carrying the weight of their service. Too many are still losing that fight at home.”
Risks and caveats
Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions in Washington, D.C., expressed concerns about the executive order.
“While we support rigorous research for treatment discovery, President Trump’s executive order on ibogaine puts politics and hype ahead of science by suggesting that a dangerous, unapproved hallucinogen can somehow be a medical treatment,” he shared with Fox News Digital.
FOX NATION: WATCH ‘IBOGAINE: THE FIGHT OF A LIFETIME’
“Ibogaine remains a Schedule I substance with serious safety concerns, including documented cardiotoxicity and deaths. [The government] should not normalize unproven and risky drugs under the guise of helping those who have served our country.”
Siegel also cautioned about the risk of improper prescribing of psychedelics by unqualified practitioners. “Unfettered recreational use and microdosing can increase the risk of psychosis and other anxiety disorders,” he added.
A man walks past FunGuyz, a Canadian magic mushroom business, in downtown Ottawa, Ontario, on March 8, 2025. Psychedelics, psychoactive compounds that act largely through serotonin pathways, are being studied in controlled clinical settings for mental health treatment, experts say. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto)
Kopelman noted that the primary risk of ibogaine is its “cardiotoxicity properties.”
“It can prolong the QT interval in the heartbeat, which can lead to arrhythmia or even heart attack,” he told Fox News Digital, noting that this risk is mitigated by “rigorous medical examinations” and monitoring during treatment.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Mercer agreed that these treatments aren’t appropriate for everyone.
“They can have significant psychological effects and, in some cases, physiological risks, which is why they should only be administered in controlled clinical settings by trained providers,” she told Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“Continued research is essential to better understand who these therapies are right for, and who they’re not, before broader implementation.”
What’s up next
While Trump’s order is a step toward FDA approval for psychedelics, the substances still need to go through clinical trials and the standard regulatory pathway, including rescheduling, Mercer noted.
“It’s not like prescribing someone a Tylenol and sending them home — these medicines require medical oversight.”
“Veterans and others will still be waiting unless we also build the systems to provide this safely at scale, trained providers, reimbursement pathways and clinical care models,” she said. “This is the gap we’ve been highlighting for years, and it still needs to be closed.”
Kopelman agreed that while the legislation paves a path for expedited study of these medications, it’s important to “do it the right way,” warning that “one misstep could overturn and sink this entire effort.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“Most important is the post-medicine integration work that requires multiple therapy sessions overseen by a trauma-informed psychedelic therapist,” he told Fox News Digital. “It’s not like prescribing someone a Tylenol and sending them home — these medicines require medical oversight.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Psychedelics are not a panacea,” Kopelman added. “They are a gateway to healing — but the real work begins after treatment.”
Trump-backed plan could fast-track psychedelic therapies — here’s what to know
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
As President Donald Trump backs efforts to advance psychedelic drugs, doctors are speaking out about how the move could impact mental health treatments.
On Friday, Trump signed an executive order to fast-track the research, funding and potential FDA approval of psychedelics like ibogaine, psilocybin, LCD and MDMA, primarily to treat PTSD, depression and addiction.
Psychedelics, psychoactive compounds that act largely through serotonin pathways, are being studied in controlled clinical settings for mental health treatment, experts say.
SINGLE DOSE OF POWERFUL PSYCHEDELIC CUTS DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN CLINICAL STUDY
Trump’s move is drawing mixed reactions, with supporters praising its potential to transform mental health treatment, particularly for veterans, while critics warn about limited evidence on safety and effectiveness.
“The president’s action today opens a pathway to research that will further open doors to expedited approval of this life-saving medicine as a treatment for our veterans — and society — who have suffered for decades from treatment-resistant PTSD, TBI (traumatic brain injury) and depression,” Jay Kopelman, former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and CEO of Mission to Live Foundation in San Diego, told Fox News Digital.
Doctors are speaking out about how the latest move by the president on psychedelic drugs could impact mental health treatments. (iStock)
“This act will require the VA Health System to begin psychedelics research and clinical trials, making psychedelics available to veterans for whom the traditional modalities of care (SSRIs and talk therapy) haven’t worked.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, agreed that psychedelics hold “big potential” for severe depression and PTSD, and said he supports Trump’s commitment to funding more research.
PSYCHEDELIC DRUG POPULAR IN 1960S COULD EASE ANXIETY AS DOCTORS SHARE WARNINGS
“It changes brain chemistry in a way that can provide more modulation of dopamine, serotonin and other neurochemicals, making a patient less fearful,” he told Fox News Digital.
“At the same time, the psychiatric impact of psychedelics can be useful to change perception in a positive way.”
President Trump holds a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 18, 2026. The order aims to expedite research and access to psychedelics used outside the U.S. to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. (Allison Robbert/The Washington Post/Bloomberg)
Siegel emphasized, however, that these therapies need to be further researched, and that doses and exact indications must be carefully determined.
Juliana Mercer, a 16-year Marine Corps veteran and the executive director of Healing Breakthrough, a San Diego-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD, applauded the president’s move as a “meaningful step.”
“The psychiatric impact of psychedelics can be useful to change perception in a positive way.”
“The people who need this most are those who have already tried everything and found no real relief,” she told Fox News Digital.
“I think about veterans I served with, people who have done years of therapy, cycled through medications, and are still carrying the weight of their service. Too many are still losing that fight at home.”
Risks and caveats
Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions in Washington, D.C., expressed concerns about the executive order.
“While we support rigorous research for treatment discovery, President Trump’s executive order on ibogaine puts politics and hype ahead of science by suggesting that a dangerous, unapproved hallucinogen can somehow be a medical treatment,” he shared with Fox News Digital.
FOX NATION: WATCH ‘IBOGAINE: THE FIGHT OF A LIFETIME’
“Ibogaine remains a Schedule I substance with serious safety concerns, including documented cardiotoxicity and deaths. [The government] should not normalize unproven and risky drugs under the guise of helping those who have served our country.”
Siegel also cautioned about the risk of improper prescribing of psychedelics by unqualified practitioners. “Unfettered recreational use and microdosing can increase the risk of psychosis and other anxiety disorders,” he added.
A man walks past FunGuyz, a Canadian magic mushroom business, in downtown Ottawa, Ontario, on March 8, 2025. Psychedelics, psychoactive compounds that act largely through serotonin pathways, are being studied in controlled clinical settings for mental health treatment, experts say. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto)
Kopelman noted that the primary risk of ibogaine is its “cardiotoxicity properties.”
“It can prolong the QT interval in the heartbeat, which can lead to arrhythmia or even heart attack,” he told Fox News Digital, noting that this risk is mitigated by “rigorous medical examinations” and monitoring during treatment.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Mercer agreed that these treatments aren’t appropriate for everyone.
“They can have significant psychological effects and, in some cases, physiological risks, which is why they should only be administered in controlled clinical settings by trained providers,” she told Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“Continued research is essential to better understand who these therapies are right for, and who they’re not, before broader implementation.”
What’s up next
While Trump’s order is a step toward FDA approval for psychedelics, the substances still need to go through clinical trials and the standard regulatory pathway, including rescheduling, Mercer noted.
“It’s not like prescribing someone a Tylenol and sending them home — these medicines require medical oversight.”
“Veterans and others will still be waiting unless we also build the systems to provide this safely at scale, trained providers, reimbursement pathways and clinical care models,” she said. “This is the gap we’ve been highlighting for years, and it still needs to be closed.”
Kopelman agreed that while the legislation paves a path for expedited study of these medications, it’s important to “do it the right way,” warning that “one misstep could overturn and sink this entire effort.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“Most important is the post-medicine integration work that requires multiple therapy sessions overseen by a trauma-informed psychedelic therapist,” he told Fox News Digital. “It’s not like prescribing someone a Tylenol and sending them home — these medicines require medical oversight.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Psychedelics are not a panacea,” Kopelman added. “They are a gateway to healing — but the real work begins after treatment.”
Beautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian families
Baby names often spread quietly, without much attention. Through grandparents, old poetry books, family stories, and sometimes just through sound. In many Indian homes, Indo-Arabic and Persian names have always been there, softly used, never loud about their origins. They feel familiar, easy to say, easy to live with. Here are some such names that continue to show up, generation after generation.
Tom Cruise is reportedly going to make an insane amount of money for Top Gun 3
This week, we got word that Top Gun 3 is coming our way, and now it’s being reported that Tom Cruise is going to make an insane amount of money to pretend to fly a fighter jet.
“Top Gun: Maverick” came out in 2022 and was not only critically acclaimed but it also made a ton of money and has even been credited with helping theaters survive post-COVID.
Tom Cruise (Getty Images)
So, when something works that well in Hollywood, you know they’re going to circle back around to it, which is fine by me. I’ll watch a couple of hours of kick-ass fighter jet shots. Hopefully, they get Joseph Kosinski to direct. Between “Top Gun: Maverick” and “F1,” he is the undisputed king of directing movies about stuff that’s fast.
But, of course, you need Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the fold, which means recruiting Tom Cruise to reprise the role.
Now, I don’t think Cruise would take much convincing, but according to the Daily Mail, he could net £100 million ($135,240,000) to appear in the film and serve as a producer.
test (Carlos Tischler / Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
That’s because, for the previous film, he received £18 million (just under $25 million) but also received 8% of the film’s profits.
Well, thanks to the previous film grossing over a $1 billion dollars worldwide, that meant that Cruise got a cool £75 million ($101,430,000).
Is there any reason to believe the same thing won’t happen with Top Gun 3?
“The profit share is generous, because David Ellison, who now owns Paramount, produced Maverick via his company Skydance, and believes Tom is worth every cent,” an unnamed Paramount exec said, per the Daily Mail. “He is confident this film will earn over a billion dollars.”
Tom Cruise at a “Top Gun: Maverick” press conference in Seoul, South Korea in June 2022. (The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images)
I mean, for that kind of money, yeah, it sounds like he’s worth it.
Plus, he does all his own stunts, so you don’t have to pay a stunt double.
NFL star George Kittle intercepts NBA player Tyrese Haliburton’s beer WrestleMania 42
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
LAS VEGAS – One of the best WrestleMania 42 moments on Saturday night occurred outside of the ring.
NFL star George Kittle and NBA star Tyrese Haliburton were among the professional athletes in attendance for Night 1 of the event, which later featured Cody Rhodes retaining his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in the main event.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
George Kittle and Tyrese Haliburton attend WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE/Getty Images)
Kittle and Haliburton were showcased as two stars who were at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the event. Haliburton was about to drink his beer when Kittle intercepted it away and chugged it for him. The WWE crowd was frenzied after Kittle’s steal.
https://x.com/netflixsports/status/2045632212922728821
Both Kittle and Haliburton are major WWE fans and have been at multiple events, including getting involved in matches.
WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’
George Kittle attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Kittle clotheslined The Miz at WrestleMania 39. He previously revealed he’s a big fan of Penta, who is defending his Intercontinental Championship in a six-man ladder match on Sunday.
Haliburton previously went face-to-face with New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson on an episode of “Friday Night SmackDown.”
For now, it doesn’t appear as though either will enter a WWE ring anytime soon.
Kittle suffered a torn Achilles in January, ending his 2026 season with the San Francisco 49ers on a sour note.
George Kittle and Chuck Zito attend WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Haliburton is also recovering from a torn Achilies he suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last year. He also opened up about battling shingles as he tries to return to the floor for the Indiana Pacers.
The sport ‘anyone’ can do that improves heart health and helps people lose weight
Inspired by the recent Premier League excitement or the tension of FIFA World Cup qualifiers, many might feel the urge to get back on the pitch.
While a call-up to the England squad might be a distant dream, a more accessible and equally rewarding option exists: walking football. This increasingly popular sport offers all the thrill of the beautiful game, but without the intensity or pressure.
Between 2021 and 2023, Age UK partnered with Sport England and the Football Association to establish the Age UK Walking Football Programme. This initiative has led to a proliferation of local walking football games, clubs, and sessions now running across the UK every week, making it easier than ever to join.
“It’s a slower, more gentle version of the game that everyone loves because when players are moving around the pitch they are walking rather than running,” explains Alison Ingram, programme director at Age UK. “Anyone can get involved, irrespective of their ability or experience.
“It’s much more accessible, particularly for people with long-term conditions, who are a bit older, have dementia or have had a fall and are trying to build up their confidence again.”
Here are six reasons why you should take up walking football later in life…
1. It’s inclusive
“Football is a really great leveller compared to lots of other activities. Lots of people aren’t aware of what activities such as Tai Chi or Zumba involve, but most people have some understanding of what football is,” says Ingram.
She highlights how walking football attracts people from lots of different backgrounds and ages.
“All sorts of people – men, women, people who are in their 50s, people who are in their 80s – come to our walking football sessions,” says Ingram. “We also have players who have specific conditions, such as people who are living with dementia, people living with Parkinson’s and even people who have recently had a stroke.
“All our players and volunteers are really encouraging and cheer people on, particularly when they first start.”
2. Provides the opportunity to build friendships
“We’re really pleased that word of mouth about our walking football sessions has spread so quickly and we often find that once one person joins, their friends and family members start to come along too,” says Ingram.
“It provides people with the opportunity to get to know people they would never otherwise have crossed paths with and we know that lots of people have developed great friendships from being part of these groups.”
3. Keeps you active
“We know that being more physically active can really help improve your stamina and strength, and walking football enables those things to happen because you’re moving around so much during the sessions,” says Ingram. “Playing football is great for your heart and can help people lose weight.
“We also know that playing football can really help with bone strength, and that’s something that people can often be a bit concerned about as they get older.”
4. Sharpens your decision-making skills
“It can really improve your decision-making skills because you have to consider who you’re going to pass the ball to next, where you should stand and how you are working together as a team, which can really help sharpen your thinking skills,” says Ingram.
5. Helps improve balance and coordination
“In walking football you’re constantly moving around the pitch and changing direction which really encourages your brain and your body to work together and to think about how you’re staying upright,” says Ingram.
“When you’re playing football, you can’t always predict what’s going to happen, so that means that you’re having to coordinate your thinking, your muscles, and your limbs to respond to a situation that you might not have anticipated.
“Training your body to respond to different situations and challenges means that you will be far more able to keep your balance during situations off the pitch.”
6. Boosts confidence
“Being part of a team can really give someone a sense of purpose and boost their confidence,” recognises Ingram. “Also, the challenge of doing something new and slowly being able to see that you’re making improvements week on week can be really affirming.”
Taking part in walking football can often act as a gateway into other things.
“It’s a really great way for people to get moving and involved in something, and opens up a whole world of possibilities,” says Ingram. “It might give people the confidence to get involved with other activities.”
Many local Age UK services across the country host welcoming Walking Football sessions and other activity groups. To find out what’s going on in your area, visit Age Uk or call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 169 6565.
Chinese robot breaks human world record in Beijing half-marathon
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A Chinese-built humanoid robot beat the human half-marathon world record in Beijing on Sunday, marking a breakthrough moment in a high-stakes global race for technological dominance.
A robot developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor completed the 21-kilometer (13-mile) race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the human record of about 57 minutes set by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo last month.
The performance marked a dramatic improvement from last year’s inaugural event, when the top robot finished in more than 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Dozens of humanoid robots competed alongside about 12,000 human runners, navigating a parallel course to avoid collisions.
CHINA’S COMPACT HUMANOID ROBOT SHOWS OFF BALANCE AND FLIPS
A robot crosses the finish line in the Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon on April 19, 2026. (Andy Wong/AP)
Nearly half of the robots ran using autonomous navigation, while others relied on remote control, organizers said.
Despite the breakthrough, the race still saw glitches, with some robots stumbling at the start or veering into barriers.
Engineers said the winning robot was designed to mimic elite athletes, featuring long legs of about 37 inches and advanced cooling systems to sustain performance.
US TARGETS CHINESE ROBOTS OVER SECURITY FEARS
“Looking ahead, some of these technologies might be transferred to other areas,” said Du Xiaodi, an engineer with the Honor team. “For example, structural reliability and liquid-cooling technology could be applied in future industrial scenarios.”
Team members celebrate next to the winning Honor Lightning humanoid robot during a medal ceremony after the second Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon on April 19, 2026. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)
Spectators reacted with a mix of amazement and unease at the machines’ rapid progress.
“It’s the first time robots have surpassed humans, and that’s something I never imagined,” Sun Zhigang, who attended the event with his son, told The Associated Press.
HUMANOID ROBOTS HIT MASS PRODUCTION IN CHINA
“The robots’ speed far exceeds that of humans,” spectator Wang Wen told the outlet. “This may signal the arrival of sort of a new era.”
A robot starts alongside human runners at the Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Half Marathon on the outskirts of Beijing on April 19, 2026. (Ng Han Guan/AP)
Experts say the race highlights China’s accelerating push to dominate robotics and artificial intelligence, even as widespread commercial use of humanoid robots remains limited, according to Reuters. The experts said Chinese robotics firms are still working to develop the AI software needed for humanoids to match the efficiency of human factory workers.
Runners take pictures of a humanoid robot during the second Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing on April 19, 2026. (Haruna Furuhashi/Pool Photo via AP)
“The future will definitely be an AI era,” engineering student Chu Tianqi told Reuters. “If people don’t know how to use AI now… they will definitely become obsolete.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The competition underscores a broader technological race between China and the United States, as Beijing invests heavily in advanced robotics as part of its long-term economic strategy.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Tottenham Hotspur: “Vile” abuse towards defender Kevin Danso reported to police
Tottenham Hotspur have condemed the “vile, dehumanising racism” aimed at defender Kevin Danso on social media following their 2-2 draw against Brighton on Saturday.
An error from Danso allowed Brighton‘s Georginio Rutter to equalise in stoppage time, keeping Spurs in the Premier League relegation zone.
In a statement, the club said they have reported the “significant and abhorrent” abuse faced by 27-year-old Danso to the police and authorities.
“We will push for the strongest possible action against each and every person we identify,” said Spurs.
“Kevin has our complete and unconditional support as a player and as a person. No-one at this club will ever stand alone in the face of this.
“Nothing about form or league position can ever excuse or explain racist abuse. There is no connection between performance on the pitch and the right to target a player with discrimination.
“We have heard and seen vile, dehumanising racism. Behaviour that is without doubt a criminal offence. It will not be tolerated.”
The abuse took place during the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign this weekend, which is aimed at promoting diversity and tackling discrimination in football.
In an Instagram post, external, Austria centre-back Danso said the abuse “doesn’t define me” and “won’t distract me from what is important”.
“I know who I am, what I stand for, and why I play,” he added.
“Discriminatory abuse has absolutely no place in football or wider society,” the Premier League said in a statement.
“Anybody who chooses to abuse others is not welcome in our game and they are not a true fan. It is clear that more needs to be done to address this issue and we will work alongside clubs, football bodies, law enforcement and social media companies to ensure this remains a priority for all.
“Any individuals identified and found guilty of discrimination will face the strongest possible consequences, including club bans and legal prosecution.”
Phil Parkinson vows Wrexham will take promotion push ‘to the wire’
Manager Phil Parkinson underlined Wrexham’s determination to take their Championship playoff push “to the wire” after beating Stoke got them back on track.
After consecutive defeats to Southampton and Birmingham, Wrexham eased to a 2-0 SToK Cae Ras victory that cut the gap to sixth-placed Hull — who were held 1-1 at home by Birmingham — to two points.
– Championship promotion race: Ipswich, Millwall, Wrexham – who’s going up to the Premier League?
– Wrexham rekindle Championship playoff hopes with 2-0 win over Stoke
Wrexham head to relegation-threatened Oxford on Tuesday with renewed confidence before finishing the regular season at promoted Coventry and at home to playoff chasing Middlesbrough.
“The aim has been to take this to the wire and that’s what we spoke to the lads about,” Parkinson said after Wrexham had secured their highest league position.
“Let’s not hand the play-off place to the other teams.
“But how are we going to achieve that and taking the accountability and where we get our performance levels where they need to be to win games of football at this level?”
Wrexham’s opening goal after 31 minutes was credited to George Thomason, although Parkinson later confirmed Josh Windass had got the final touch to a corner that sailed over the head of Stoke goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.
Windass claimed his 14th league goal just 69 seconds later after swooping on an Aaron Cresswell mistake.
There was further good news for Wrexham after the final whistle when learning that Birmingham’s Tomoki Iwata scored a late leveller at Hull.
Parkinson added: “I honestly didn’t know what the score was until I was coming off down the tunnel and someone said the game was still going but it was 1-1.
“So, of course, that is a bonus and we’re not going to deny that.
“Birmingham, they’re a good side as we saw last week, they’re probably disappointed they’re not in the mix.
“But they’ve done us a favour and now we go to Oxford and let’s just see if we can keep this going right to the end.”