Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have never been shy about using social media as a stage, but their latest production carries a distinctly pointed edge. Ahead of Saturday's Championship fixture at the Racecourse Ground (15:00), Wrexham's Hollywood co-owners published a 59-second video on the club's X account that was nominally a promotion for shirt sponsor Firefox, yet was plainly aimed at Southampton's well-documented Spygate affair.

The skit

Reynolds opens the clip by emerging from behind a tree, announcing: "Today, for no particular reason, we want to talk about the importance of privacy." McElhenney, creator of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, follows up: "Specifically, how to prevent spies from seeing what you're doing." Reynolds jokes about searching online for "how to run a football club" before the pair declare that privacy is "important to people everywhere", name-checking Middlesbrough, Oxford and Ipswich. Reynolds closes with: "Refreshing, huh? An organisation that actually respects your privacy." The clip ends with the pair apparently studying footage of a Southampton pickleball team at practice.

It is broad, deliberately silly stuff. But it lands because it refers to something real and consequential. Southampton were removed from last season's play-off final and docked four points after an intern was found observing Middlesbrough in training during the play-off semi-finals; subsequent investigations found similar incidents had occurred at Oxford United and Ipswich Town during the regular season. The Football League's final ruling meant Wrexham, who had finished seventh, saw their hopes of benefiting from any reordering come to nothing.

What it meant for Wrexham

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has confirmed his side were in contact with the EFL throughout the post-season process, given that they finished seventh and had a conceivable, if indirect, interest in how the table might be adjusted. But Parkinson has been careful not to let the lingering controversy become a distraction, particularly after last week's sobering 6-0 defeat away to West Ham United.

"We're the team which obviously were affected because we were seventh, but we accepted the EFL decision on that," Parkinson said. "Southampton got punished for it and they've had to accept their punishment and move on. That's all I can say on it really, it's gone. We're concentrating on what we've got to do and likewise they're the same."

That is a measured line from a manager who knows Saturday's three points matter considerably more than any social media content. Wrexham sit 19th after seven games, with seven points, and are in genuine need of a positive response. Southampton, ninth on 10 points, won 5-1 at the Racecourse Ground as recently as April and have taken both Championship meetings this season by an aggregate of 7-2.

This is not the first dig

The video is not the first time Wrexham have used the fixture to make their feelings known. When the club published their fixture schedule in June, the date of 17 September, two days before the sides were due to meet, was annotated with "check training ground" and an asterisk pointing to "for unauthorised visitors". Whether the joke lands the second time around rather depends on what happens on the pitch on Saturday afternoon.

The wider context is a Championship table that has no room for sentiment. Wrexham need points. Southampton, despite the off-field noise, are in the top half and will arrive at the Racecourse Ground in reasonable form. Parkinson's side have a boisterous home atmosphere to call upon, but three defeats in their last four league outings underline how much is riding on the result.

The owners' video will generate clicks and headlines. It will not win a football match. That task falls to the players on Saturday afternoon, and the scoreline is what the supporters of both clubs will remember long after the skit is forgotten.

Frequently asked

What is the Spygate scandal involving Southampton?
Southampton were docked four points and removed from the play-off final after an intern was found spying on Middlesbrough's training session during the play-off semi-finals. The EFL also found that similar incidents had taken place at Oxford United and Ipswich Town during the regular season.
How does Spygate affect Wrexham?
Wrexham finished seventh in the Championship last season, so they had an indirect interest in how the table might have been adjusted following the investigation. The club stayed in contact with the EFL during the process, but ultimately accepted the governing body's decision.
When do Wrexham play Southampton in the Championship?
Wrexham host Southampton at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday at 15:00.