Wycombe Wanderers thrashed Burton Albion 4-1 on Tuesday evening to avoid the ignominy of losing four League Two games in a row for the first time since 2007.
The win has seen the Blues clamber back into the automatic promotion positions and up to second place as they plot their path to promotion with fifteen games remaining.
Manager Gary Waddock brought in Lewis Montrose for maligned loanee Scott Donnelly and Jon Paul-Pittman in place of the slightly more unfortunate talisman, Stuart Beavon.
Although Montrose had only featured for the Blues twice since November, his inclusion was certainly no gamble by Waddock as he produced a swashbuckling display of commitment and poise. Montrose's fine evening was capped off by his deflected effort, Wycombe's second goal, that looped over Burton goalkeeper Adam Legzdins.
The midfielder's delight at scoring his first goal since September was clearly evident as he took the plaudits from the crowd and his team-mates before exhaling deeply as he skipped back to the half-way line, closed eyes and a vocal expression of cathartic jubilation visible to all.
In truth, Wycombe could easily have scored more, the aforementioned Pittman was unlucky not to score his second goal for the Blues since returning from his five-month injury lay-off, his electric pace troubling the visitor's defence all evening and the striker's two quick-fire efforts after Wycombe's first goal had to be parried away to safety by Legzdins.
Wycombe's recent poor run had seen them fall to fourth place in the npower League Two table however the Burton game represented a chance to reclaim the upper hand on their promotion rivals.
An all-round strong team performance began with midfielder Stuart Lewis shuffling through a static Burton defence, with referee Oliver Langford obstructing the advancing defender, to calmly fire the ball into the back of net with only 10 minutes gone before Montrose's effort increased the Wanderers' advantage on the half-hour mark.
Lewis, awarded a well-deserved man of match accolade, then proceeded to score the goal of the evening and possibly Wycombe's best goal of the season. In what is looking to be a gem of a signing from Dagenham and Redbridge, the midfielder added to his burgeoning reputation amongst Blues fans by unleashing an unstoppable low drive into the bottom right-hand corner of the Valley End net.
Following the game, Lewis declared to wwfc.com, that it was his 'best game ever' and one he understandably thoroughly enjoyed.
It was perhaps obvious that Burton manager Paul Peschisolido would chasten his team during the half-time interval and demand the addition of composure and zeal to their play. The Brewers had lost Calvin Zola to a hamstring injury during the first-half, a crushing blow as despite his wayward control and finishing, he had looked their most promising attacking outlet until he was replaced by Greg Pearson.
The aforementioned Pearson looked to exploit Alan Bennett's comparitive lack of pace as Burton appeared reinvigorated following the resumption of the game. The reward for their endeavour was Sam Winnall's close-range effort to reduce the deficit eleven minutes into the second-half and the away side were beginning to unsettle Wycombe who had failed to replicate the intensity they displayed prior to the break.
Any hopes the Brewers were harbouring of a dramatic comeback were extinguished when the veteran Moore tussled with the lively Pittman who was rewarded with a penalty kick. Stuart Lewis had an eye on claiming his first senior hat-trick although he had to settle for a brace as striker Scott Rendell stepped up to score his 12th goal of the season, in front of just 3,345 fans at Adams Park.
The Blues issued the perfect response to a week of disappointment that saw consecutive defeats to Bradford City, Southend United and Accrington Stanley.
As the 2010/2011 season prepares to usher in its spring denouement, Wanderers will travel to Macclesfield Town and league leaders Chesterfield in the next week, two sides who had beaten them by a 2-1 scoreline in the reverse fixtures.
Following the victory over Burton, Wycombe have now won 8 of their 16 games against teams in the bottom-half of League Two this season. Macclesfield, however, enjoy a seven point cushion over Stockport County in the last remaining relegation place and will be buoyed by their 2-0 home triumph against Morecambe yesterday.
The journey to Derbyshire to meet league pacesetters Chesterfield next Tuesday evening represents a stern test for Waddock's charges although they will take confidence from previous away wins against members of the current top seven, including a 4-3 victory over Rotherham United and a 2-0 win at Priestfield, the home of Gillingham.
The last and only time I attempted to predict the outcome of all 46 games in a regular Football League season was prior to the 2002/2003 campaign. I ambitiously plumped for the Blues team in question to reach the play-offs. As it turned out, the season was a campaign of listless disenchantment and Wycombe Wanderers finished 18th in Division Two, playing some of the worst football in the club's recent history.
The 'Sanchez Way' to promotion following the FA Cup honeymoon season that was 2001/2002 was to be a return to outmoded drudgery and aimless percentage football, a strategy of methodical zonal domination with long-balls into pre-determined danger areas, a philosophy arguably still favoured by Wycombe's erstwhile manager.
This 'revolutionary' approach ultimately imploded with feverish expectations of possible promotion to what was then Division One going unfulfilled with Sanchez becoming increasing fraught at any perceived criticism aimed towards him and the team. The protracted decline that led to relegation in 2004 had already cost the former Wimbledon FA Cup hero his job and I have not been comfortable commenting on any upcoming Wanderers game since.
Alas, this meandering digression may illustrate the futile hopelessness of my powers of prediction altough it also leads into further analysis of the challenges that lie ahead.
The Wanderers still have to travel to Shrewsbury Town, Bury and local rivals Oxford United besides having the pleasure of the visits of Northampton Town and a potentially charged affair with Aldershot to negotiate.
Whilst I am not prepared to risk damaging the team's promotion chances with further outlandish conjecture, there can surely be little chance of collapse if Wycombe continue in the same vein as yesterday evening.
If the Blues can continue to be exponents of this type of high-tempo, pressure football that is often accompanied by the clinical precision as demonstrated against Burton, then re-establishing themselves in the top three will represent an achievable goal.
As Gary Waddock enthused to skysports.com after the match, "we knew they would respond because they are an excellent group of players and they put it right."
Let's hope that for the majority of Wycombe's remaining fifteen games, the Blues continue to find the winning formula as they bid for promotion back to League One.
Showing posts with label league two. Show all posts
Showing posts with label league two. Show all posts
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Wycombe Enter the Dark Season Seeing the Light
As darkness falls and sometimes even the ball changes colour, Wycombe Wanderers enter the winter months illuminated by consecutive victories.
It has been the week manager Gary Waddock's players had been hoping for. The potential of the squad has finally shone through following an indifferent start to the season.
If the midweek 4-2 victory against a poor Barnet side served to reinvigorate the Wanderers camp, Saturday afternoon's 2-0 success at the newly named Stevenage FC represented an indicator of the team's tangible intentions. The short trip to Hertfordshire was a litmus test which could shape the future direction of both clubs, for this season at least.
Stevenage began the day two places above Wycombe however by the final whistle; it was the Chairboys who had usurped the hosts to climb into the final play-off position.
In truth, the Blues had made the game safe by half-time with a relatively comfortable margin. Kevin Betsy's header at the far post following a cross from Gareth Ainsworth opened the scoring with Stuart Beavon's converted rebound in reaction to the tireless Ainsworth's initial shot just before the break securing the three points.
The aforementioned 'Beaver', Stuart Beavon, received a standing ovation from the away contingent when replaced by Scott Rendell with six minutes remaining. He epitomised Wycombe's approach, defending from the front and displaying touches of class. The Blues were resolute in defence, swiftly switching to attack with a refreshing diversity of play.
Stevenage were mainly restricted to hopeful balls into the box, although the complexion of the game could have been changed had Jon Ashton converted and steered his header on target with Nikki Bull's goal gaping with around twenty minutes remaining. On the balance of play though, the home side displayed enough to be comfortable towards the upper echelons of League Two.
Wycombe striker Ben Strevens tried desperately hard to get on the scoresheet only to be thwarted by a smart reaction save down low from goalkeeper Chris Day.
Scott Davies, Wycombe's enfant terrible after a frustrating start to his second spell with the club and supposed online reaction (dissatisfaction) to being benched against Barnet was introduced late on.
Like Strevens, he was eager to impress. At times his attempted link-up play was overcooked and too intricate although a few smart switches of play aimed at the industrious Betsy re-affirmed his ability, even if there are unanswered questions about his temperament.
The Stevenage fans were silenced, partially by the travelling Wycombe faithful's mimicry of their 'ultra' style chanting and by their side's inability to penetrate their opposition. Wycombe fans were even treated to a fairly original rendition of 'Twist and Shout', perhaps a welcome addition to the terrace songbook.
The overarching cloud that encompasses the new stadium debate has not dissipated however on the pitch if this momentum can be sustained, there could be plenty more to twist and shout about come the end of the season.
It has been the week manager Gary Waddock's players had been hoping for. The potential of the squad has finally shone through following an indifferent start to the season.
If the midweek 4-2 victory against a poor Barnet side served to reinvigorate the Wanderers camp, Saturday afternoon's 2-0 success at the newly named Stevenage FC represented an indicator of the team's tangible intentions. The short trip to Hertfordshire was a litmus test which could shape the future direction of both clubs, for this season at least.
Stevenage began the day two places above Wycombe however by the final whistle; it was the Chairboys who had usurped the hosts to climb into the final play-off position.
In truth, the Blues had made the game safe by half-time with a relatively comfortable margin. Kevin Betsy's header at the far post following a cross from Gareth Ainsworth opened the scoring with Stuart Beavon's converted rebound in reaction to the tireless Ainsworth's initial shot just before the break securing the three points.
The aforementioned 'Beaver', Stuart Beavon, received a standing ovation from the away contingent when replaced by Scott Rendell with six minutes remaining. He epitomised Wycombe's approach, defending from the front and displaying touches of class. The Blues were resolute in defence, swiftly switching to attack with a refreshing diversity of play.
Stevenage were mainly restricted to hopeful balls into the box, although the complexion of the game could have been changed had Jon Ashton converted and steered his header on target with Nikki Bull's goal gaping with around twenty minutes remaining. On the balance of play though, the home side displayed enough to be comfortable towards the upper echelons of League Two.
Wycombe striker Ben Strevens tried desperately hard to get on the scoresheet only to be thwarted by a smart reaction save down low from goalkeeper Chris Day.
Scott Davies, Wycombe's enfant terrible after a frustrating start to his second spell with the club and supposed online reaction (dissatisfaction) to being benched against Barnet was introduced late on.
Like Strevens, he was eager to impress. At times his attempted link-up play was overcooked and too intricate although a few smart switches of play aimed at the industrious Betsy re-affirmed his ability, even if there are unanswered questions about his temperament.
The Stevenage fans were silenced, partially by the travelling Wycombe faithful's mimicry of their 'ultra' style chanting and by their side's inability to penetrate their opposition. Wycombe fans were even treated to a fairly original rendition of 'Twist and Shout', perhaps a welcome addition to the terrace songbook.
The overarching cloud that encompasses the new stadium debate has not dissipated however on the pitch if this momentum can be sustained, there could be plenty more to twist and shout about come the end of the season.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Dust Settles Following Wycombe's Relegation Campaign
Willi's Wycombe
Following a dismal 2009/2010 season, where Wycombe Wanderers succumbed to relegation from League One, the dust is beginning to settle ahead of their pre-season preparations. Manager Gary Waddock has already begun the re-building process with numerous out of contract players not being offered new terms.
Unlike the build-up to last season, the management team have acted promptly and decisively to bring in a glut of new faces. Gary Waddock was always keen to mould a side in his own image with new signings cherry-picked from his former club, Aldershot Town, amongst a host of others, coming in.
The flurry of news emanating from Wycombe doesn't merely make reference to changes amongst the playing staff. Local news outlets have also reported on a proposal to lay a plastic pitch at Adams Park.
Wycombe owner Steve Hayes espoused the benefits of a fourth generation artificial pitch back in May, citing examples from rugby, namely the pitch of Guinness Premiership side, Newcastle Falcons. Aside from being advantageous to the playing side, Hayes is convinced switching to an artificial pitch could have commercial benefits too.
He told The Bucks Free Press, “The amount of money it costs to keep a really good pitch is way in excess of £75k a year, and all you can do is play football and rugby on it. With an artificial surface we could be staging all sorts of events – concerts, you name it – every night."
Although should changes be made to the playing surface, the club would have to negotiate some way around Premier League and Football League regulations that forbid surfaces that are not predominantly natural grass. In addition, should the club wish to host non-football events, they would be subject to the agreement of Wycombe District Council.
In the end of season fall-out, Hayes was also quick to publically set his targets for the upcoming campaign, with anything but promotion seen as a professional and financial failure.
"We have to go up next year. Gary knows it and everyone knows it. We don’t want to wait around another year in that division, the aim is to go up automatically and we want to do it in a blaze of glory" he told The Bucks Free Press.
With regards to the playing personnel, there has been a radical shake-up. Kevin Betsy, Alex Revell, Matt Bloomfield, John Mousinho, Adam Hinshelwood and Steve Arnold were all offered new deals with utility man Mousinho deciding to join Stevenage Borough whilst striker Alex Revell has opted to join Leyton Orient instead.
Midfielder cum forward Kevin Betsy has signed a new deal in his second spell with the club and the Blues' longest-serving player, midfielder Matt Bloomfield, has also signed new terms following his resurgence at the end of last season.
Meanwhile those released are Scott Shearer, Joe Cobb, Lewis Hunt, Luke Oliver, Lewwis Spence, Dean Keates, Kevin McLeod and Matt Harrold. First year pro George Daly has also been released without making a First Team appearance and Tom Heaton, Julian Kelly and Alan Bennett have returned to their parent clubs.
Arriving at Adams Park are 28 year-old goalkeeper Nikki Bull from Brentford. Waddock is familiar with Bull with the 'keeper previously playing for Aldershot Town. Central defender Dave Winfield, 22, has also joined from Aldershot.
Wycombe have also swooped to bring in Brentford duo, Danny Foster, 25, and experienced striker, 30 year-old Ben Strevens. Foster is seen as the ideal replacement for the outgoing Lewis Hunt whilst Strevens is a familiar face, having played against Wycombe for Barnet and Dagenham and Redbridge.
Young midfielder, Kieran Murtagh, 21, has signed from Yeovil Town. Murtagh scored against the Wanderers last season and the Blues reportedly fought off competition from a number of clubs to secure his signature.
Replacing former captain Craig Woodman, who has since moved to Brentford, is another signing from Aldershot, left-back, Andy Sandell.
Wycombe have moved to form a potent strike force having struggled for goals last term. Aside from the addition of Strevens, the Blues have brought in striker Scott Rendell from Peterborough United. The 23 year-old failed to secure a starting berth at Posh but has enjoyed some successful loan spells, including last season at Torquay United where he scored 12 goals in 35 League Two games.
Wycombe will begin their pre-season campaign of friendlies barely a few days after this summer's World Cup has finished. The Blues face local outfit Chesham United at The Meadow before facing other non-league sides including Hayes and Yeading and Uxbridge.
Marquee home games include friendlies against Championship side and local rivals, Reading, on Saturday 24 July (kick-off 3pm) and a highly anticipated match against a Chelsea XI on Thursday 29 July (kick-off 7.45pm).
The beginning of the Football League season sees Wycombe open their League Two campaign against Morecambe on Saturday 7 August. The following week the Blues travel up north to meet old sparring partners, Stockport County. The Blues will renew another rivalry with Oxford United arriving at Adams Park on Saturday 21 August.
Refreshingly, Wycombe have moved fast in the transfer market to bolster the squad. There look to be some exciting additions with Ben Strevens, Scott Rendell, Jon Paul-Pittman and Stuart Beavon set to fiercely compete for starting-places up-front.
Willi's Wycombe will be analysing the ins and outs besides looking ahead in earnest to what will be a crucial 2010/2011 season.
Expectations are high as Wycombe seek automatic promotion to avoid more potential play-off heartbreak. Steve Hayes and co. will not tolerate another five seasons in the Football League's bottom tier. The fans will not accept financial meltdown in the pursuit of glory. It's imperative that this precarious balance is achieved.
Following a dismal 2009/2010 season, where Wycombe Wanderers succumbed to relegation from League One, the dust is beginning to settle ahead of their pre-season preparations. Manager Gary Waddock has already begun the re-building process with numerous out of contract players not being offered new terms.
Unlike the build-up to last season, the management team have acted promptly and decisively to bring in a glut of new faces. Gary Waddock was always keen to mould a side in his own image with new signings cherry-picked from his former club, Aldershot Town, amongst a host of others, coming in.
The flurry of news emanating from Wycombe doesn't merely make reference to changes amongst the playing staff. Local news outlets have also reported on a proposal to lay a plastic pitch at Adams Park.
Wycombe owner Steve Hayes espoused the benefits of a fourth generation artificial pitch back in May, citing examples from rugby, namely the pitch of Guinness Premiership side, Newcastle Falcons. Aside from being advantageous to the playing side, Hayes is convinced switching to an artificial pitch could have commercial benefits too.
He told The Bucks Free Press, “The amount of money it costs to keep a really good pitch is way in excess of £75k a year, and all you can do is play football and rugby on it. With an artificial surface we could be staging all sorts of events – concerts, you name it – every night."
Although should changes be made to the playing surface, the club would have to negotiate some way around Premier League and Football League regulations that forbid surfaces that are not predominantly natural grass. In addition, should the club wish to host non-football events, they would be subject to the agreement of Wycombe District Council.
In the end of season fall-out, Hayes was also quick to publically set his targets for the upcoming campaign, with anything but promotion seen as a professional and financial failure.
"We have to go up next year. Gary knows it and everyone knows it. We don’t want to wait around another year in that division, the aim is to go up automatically and we want to do it in a blaze of glory" he told The Bucks Free Press.
With regards to the playing personnel, there has been a radical shake-up. Kevin Betsy, Alex Revell, Matt Bloomfield, John Mousinho, Adam Hinshelwood and Steve Arnold were all offered new deals with utility man Mousinho deciding to join Stevenage Borough whilst striker Alex Revell has opted to join Leyton Orient instead.
Midfielder cum forward Kevin Betsy has signed a new deal in his second spell with the club and the Blues' longest-serving player, midfielder Matt Bloomfield, has also signed new terms following his resurgence at the end of last season.
Meanwhile those released are Scott Shearer, Joe Cobb, Lewis Hunt, Luke Oliver, Lewwis Spence, Dean Keates, Kevin McLeod and Matt Harrold. First year pro George Daly has also been released without making a First Team appearance and Tom Heaton, Julian Kelly and Alan Bennett have returned to their parent clubs.
Arriving at Adams Park are 28 year-old goalkeeper Nikki Bull from Brentford. Waddock is familiar with Bull with the 'keeper previously playing for Aldershot Town. Central defender Dave Winfield, 22, has also joined from Aldershot.
Wycombe have also swooped to bring in Brentford duo, Danny Foster, 25, and experienced striker, 30 year-old Ben Strevens. Foster is seen as the ideal replacement for the outgoing Lewis Hunt whilst Strevens is a familiar face, having played against Wycombe for Barnet and Dagenham and Redbridge.
Young midfielder, Kieran Murtagh, 21, has signed from Yeovil Town. Murtagh scored against the Wanderers last season and the Blues reportedly fought off competition from a number of clubs to secure his signature.
Replacing former captain Craig Woodman, who has since moved to Brentford, is another signing from Aldershot, left-back, Andy Sandell.
Wycombe have moved to form a potent strike force having struggled for goals last term. Aside from the addition of Strevens, the Blues have brought in striker Scott Rendell from Peterborough United. The 23 year-old failed to secure a starting berth at Posh but has enjoyed some successful loan spells, including last season at Torquay United where he scored 12 goals in 35 League Two games.
Wycombe will begin their pre-season campaign of friendlies barely a few days after this summer's World Cup has finished. The Blues face local outfit Chesham United at The Meadow before facing other non-league sides including Hayes and Yeading and Uxbridge.
Marquee home games include friendlies against Championship side and local rivals, Reading, on Saturday 24 July (kick-off 3pm) and a highly anticipated match against a Chelsea XI on Thursday 29 July (kick-off 7.45pm).
The beginning of the Football League season sees Wycombe open their League Two campaign against Morecambe on Saturday 7 August. The following week the Blues travel up north to meet old sparring partners, Stockport County. The Blues will renew another rivalry with Oxford United arriving at Adams Park on Saturday 21 August.
Refreshingly, Wycombe have moved fast in the transfer market to bolster the squad. There look to be some exciting additions with Ben Strevens, Scott Rendell, Jon Paul-Pittman and Stuart Beavon set to fiercely compete for starting-places up-front.
Willi's Wycombe will be analysing the ins and outs besides looking ahead in earnest to what will be a crucial 2010/2011 season.
Expectations are high as Wycombe seek automatic promotion to avoid more potential play-off heartbreak. Steve Hayes and co. will not tolerate another five seasons in the Football League's bottom tier. The fans will not accept financial meltdown in the pursuit of glory. It's imperative that this precarious balance is achieved.
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