How is Jay Rodriguez is getting on after leaving Burnley FC for Wrexham? | OneFootball

A Clarets cult hero, Rodriguez swapped his boyhood club for North Wales in the January transfer window in search of more first-team football

Wrexham issued a real statement of intent during the mid-season transfer window with the signing of striker Sam Smith from League One rivals Reading, but he wasn't the only striker to arrive at the Racecourse Ground in that time.

The Red Dragons splashed the cash to bring Smith to North Wales for a £2 million fee, and on the very same day, veteran forward Jay Rodriguez also arrived from Championship high-flyers Burnley.

Phil Parkinson already had somewhat of an elder statesmen in his ranks at the top end of the pitch in the form of 37-year-old Steven Fletcher, but two years his junior, Rodriguez came into the fold as fresh competition along with Smith, as a regular supply of goals from a striker is something Wrexham had been missing all season.

Jay Rodriguez has made an underwhelming start to life as a Wrexham player

If goals is what Wrexham wanted from Rodriguez though when he arrived, they haven't seen that so far.

Match-fit after spending half a season at Burnley without picking up any injuries, and appearing 20 times in the Championship with two goals scored, Rodriguez was thrown straight into the starting 11 the day after his arrival, linking up with Smith at the top end of the pitch in a 2-1 win over Crawley Town.

It's been an unbreakable partnership so far in the eyes of Wrexham boss Parkinson, who has started the duo together for the last nine matches, although Rodriguez is yet to complete a 90 minutes - perhaps to be expected at the age of 35 and there being other options in reserve too, such as Fletcher and Jack Marriott.

What is perhaps worrying though is despite his top flight pedigree and penchant for goals, Rodriguez is yet to find the back of the net for Wrexham in his nine outings, although he did bag an assist in the recent 1-0 win over Rotherham, flicking the ball on with his head for his strike partner to convert.

Even though he isn't scoring, Rodriguez looks to be providing a decent enough foil for Smith, with his 3.6 aerial duels won per game - as well as his assist against Rotherham - showing that he can be a target man-esque forward in the last few years of his career as opposed to playing off the shoulder, with Fletcher coming on to ease the burden in the later stages of matches.

The fact he is yet to break his scoring duck though for Wrexham will be frustrating Rodriguez, but as long as Wrexham keep winning matches of football, it should not be too much of a concern.

Jay Rodriguez's experience could be vital for Wrexham & Phil Parkinson in final weeks of the season

Considering they are reportedly paying Rodriguez £15,000 per week as well as add-ons, as reported by Mike McGrath, Wrexham would have probably expected a few more goals for the veteran by now.

However, even if he doesn't hit the back of the net anytime soon, Rodriguez is going to bring immense experience to the dressing room - not only from the Premier League, but through winning promotion twice with Burnley at different stages of his career.

The striker knows what it takes to get over the line in pressure situations, and that's what Wrexham needed more of in January, and seeing as though they're currently in a battle with Wycombe for second spot in the division, experience is going to be needed more than ever in the coming weeks.

It may be a case that given he hasn't scored yet, and with other strikers snapping at his heels waiting for a start, Rodriguez may end up being dropped or rested in the near future, but it's hard to see his goalless streak continuing for much longer, such is his long-standing ability.