Willi's Wycombe 1.2

It has been a frenetic few weeks for Wycombe Wanderers. Since the last blog, Wanderers' league position is little improved however there is hope amongst the faithful that the spate of new signgings will act as a catalyst for a revival. At the very least, manager Gary Waddock is attempting to build a squad capable of promotion straight back to League One, if required.

The task of avoiding relegation looks daunting. Wycombe are seven points from safety and have played up to three games more than some of their nearest rivals. Their last victory came at home against bottom club Stockport County, at a time when hope of a great escape was tangible. Following the last update, Wycombe have recorded a morale boosting draw away at Leeds United with Jon Paul-Pittman again on the scoresheet with a classy finish. Indeed, Leeds were allegedly suitably impressed with the American striker, instigating rumours of a possible transfer though no approach has so far been made. Pittman scored again in the 2-1 reverse at home to much fancied Charlton Athletic and Wycombe picked up another point on the road last Saturday with on-loan West Ham midfielder Josh Payne equalising on his debut when the Blues played Southend United.

The January transfer window has seen a glut of activity at Adams Park. Perhaps the most high-profile piece of business was the departure of Tommy Doherty. Doherty left the club having failed to reconcile with Gary Waddock who released Doherty to Wycombe when he was in charge at Queens Park Rangers. The combative midfielder had a successful spell at the club and was twice named in the League Two Team of the Year. Certainly, his presence as a player was influential both physically and psychologically, albeit not always in keeping within the right spirit. Doherty had flitted in and out of the team over the course of this season as his powers appeared to wane, despite the occasional characteristic flourish of class. Waddock obviously weighed up Doherty's contribution with the undesriable elements of his temperement and made his decision based on what he considered would be the more advantageous for the club.

Kevin Betsy has returned on a permanent basis from Southend, citing his previous stint at the Blues as his most successful and enjoyable. Striker Alex Revell has also joined from Southend, initially on an emergency loan owing to complications with the player's registration. Goalkeeper Jamie Young has left the club by mutual consent, four years and forty-eight games later. The position vacated by Young has quickly been filled by young goalie Steve Arnold, signed from Eastleigh. Recent developments have also seen Wycombe bring in Bristol City goalkeeper Stephen Henderson, a former Ireland U-21 international. And finally, on-loan Josh Payne, whose impressive strike rescued a point last weekend, will stay at the club until the end of February. Arguably the most eye-catching signing has been that of former Peterborough United midfielder Dean Keates, who like Arnold, has a deal until the end of season. More signings are expected with a bid already turned down for Aldershot player Scott Donelly, who is said to be desperate to team up again with former boss Waddock.

Meanwhile, proposals for the building of a new 'Community Stadium' to house Wycombe and rugby union side London Wasps have been further discussed publicly by Wycombe District Council. The figure of £700,000 has been earmarked for the development. Despite protestations from numerous residents and fan groups, the Council have stated that they are committed to the move with the 2014-15 season targetted for opening although the aforementioned hurdles could delay the process. With Wanderers' increasing debt mountain and the commercial benefit to London Wasps, the supporters within the Council, along with Managing Director Steve Hayes will no doubt continue to drive the project. The overall benefits to Wanderers and the town in general remain unclear.