Willi's Wycombe 1.1

Three games, three defeats and a thoroughly miserable festive period for Wycombe Wanderers has left them cast adrift at the bottom of League One. A 4-0 drubbing at the feet of Yeovil Town began a series of catastrophic results. This was closely followed by a morale sapping 5-2 reverse at home to relegation rivals Brighton & Hove Albion having at one stage led the game. This was further compounded by a battling 1-0 defeat to promotion chasing Norwich City which leaves them six points from safety.

Aside from difficulties on the pitch there are other concerns. At the beginning of the season there was boardroom talk of 'not merely making up the numbers in the division' however this notion seems laughable now given the current state of affairs. Coupled with this, owner Steve Hayes' vision of Wycombe Wanderers and the successful rugby club he also owns, London Wasps, playing their respective sports at a 20,000 community stadium is another implausible dream. Wycombe's poor form has magnified the examination of the overall health of the club with promotion briefly glossing over the increasing debt mountain and subsequent repercussions. A significant section of the fanbase are now focusing on the long-term problems that could affect the club as well as the more immediate travails.

Similar to the defeat at St. Mary's to Southampton, Wycombe's most recent loss, to Norwich City, highlighted the gulf in class between fallen Premier League giants and a Wanderers side who were fortunate to have eventually crawled to promotion last season. What has been more galling is the joint capitulations against Yeovil and Brighton. These are both two sides who had Wycombe fared better against, they could be in contention with, facing a much better chance of avoiding relegation. The reality was two heavy defeats with the defence once again lacking composure and the options available up front failing to produce. Glenn Murray's four goal salvo for Brighton against the Blues combined with his strike partner Nicky Forster's contribution highlights the abundance of attacking riches at the disposal of Wanderers' rivals.

Gary Waddock has already moved swiftly in the transfer window to bring in defender Adam Hinshelwood from former club Aldershot Town. The defender's competent display against Norwich City bodes well for the future however it could be the influence he exerts rather than his ability that sweetened the deal for his old boss. Certainly listening to Shots fans, Hinshelwood, a former club captain, is regarded as a good professional though his injury problems indicate he may find it difficult to cement his place in the team over a prolonged period. Indeed, following the Norwich defeat, Hinshelwood had already issued a rallying cry, stating that every remaining game will be 'like a cup final'. Wycombe's next opponents are Leeds United, who will probably feel as if they've already won a cup final having defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup third round this past weekend. A trip to Elland Road is probably the toughest in the division. And it won't get any easier the following week when the Blues face Charlton Athletic. Hope is at a premium amongst the fans at Adams Park. The next few games could all but extinguish its dying embers.

WilliWycombe is an exile from the fair town of High Wycombe, having once been a season ticket holder at Adams Park. He doesn't get to many games these days and his views are those of the exile, on the outside looking in and should be treated thusly.

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.