All Work and No Play for Wycombe Wanderers At Christmas

The traditional Christmas fixtures are something uniquely special in England with most other European leagues opting for a mid-season break. The prospect of up to three games in a week over the holiday period is something many fans across the country savour. The schedule for Wycombe Wanderers will be no less intense with a Boxing Day trip to face Yeovil Town followed just two days later by a crucial home tie against fellow relegation battlers, Brighton & Hove Albion. The trio of matches is completed by the visit of an illustrious and upwardly mobile Norwich City side, managed by former Blues boss, Paul Lambert.

Since beating Stockport at home a few weeks ago, Wycombe haven't quite pushed on as well as they would have wished. With Stockport facing a continued financial crisis and looking doomed, one of Wycombe's big relegation rivals Tranmere rejuvenated and a whole melee of teams above all taking points from one another, it's vital that Wycombe make up ground over the next week. Following their last victory, Wycombe went down 1-0 at Carlisle United and drew 2-2 at home with Oldham Athletic. The Blues will be especially frustrated with the Oldham result and the other ramifications that have followed the game. It all seemed to be going so well when John Akinde finally found the net in his second loan spell at the club and put the Blues 1-0 up. Akinde was then sent off for elbowing Oldham defender Sean Gregan and will now miss the Christmas programme. Matt Harrold's penalty salvaged a late draw however last year's top scorer still appears to be struggling in coming to terms with League One football.

Akinde's absence may prove a blessing for Jon Paul-Pittman who could finally receive a run of games though he'll need the assistance of Harrold and the creative influences of Kevin Betsy and Matt Phillips to provide him with adequate service. Certainly the next two matches could be considered 'six-pointers' and hopefully a good result against Yeovil will be the catalyst that finally propels Wycombe out of the relegation zone as they head into the new year.