'A lot of optimism' - What Bristol Rovers can expect from 'positive' Wycombe this weekend
On the back of three consecutive defeats in League One, Bristol Rovers will be desperate for a result and response when they host Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, looking to put recent wrongs right.
They had chances to sneak a point in defeat at Barnsley but the 4-0 hammering at home to Wigan Athletic and large spells of last weekend's 3-2 loss at Peterborough United have really knocked any wind out of the sails following what had been such a bright opening quartet of matches.
However, a return to winning ways will be extremely tough with Wycombe not only in good form but historically boasting an outstanding record against Rovers, winning six of the last seven meetings, drawing one. It's fair to say the Chairboys have the Gas' number in this fixture over recent years.
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The Buckinghamshire club's promotion to the Championship in 2020 is success Rovers are very keen to replicate but they know that, in the short-term, this season is just about seeing how high they can finish. It's no secret though that Matt Taylor and co. are going to need to start seeing results spin back around.
No doubt they're capable of being a front-foot team as demonstrated certainly in the victory over Cambridge United and in spells in the opening day win over Northampton Town. Furthermore, their performance in the final 20 minutes of last weekend's defeat at Peterborough was some of the best football they've played this term as they almost completed an unlikely comeback. The point though is that they can't afford to wait until being 3-0 down, or behind in any capacity, to start playing like that.
Gasheads will be desperate to see a much-improved display from their side, but what can we expect from the visitors who have made a solid start to the campaign? Bristol Live spoke to the Bucks Free Press' Wycombe reporter James Richings to get the lowdown on all things Chairboys...
What is the expectation for this season at Wycombe in what looks set to be the strongest League One ever?
The aim for Wycombe this season will be the play-offs. Since Wanderers returned to League One after their stint in the Championship in 2020/21, the goal is always to return to the second tier. The pandemic struck when Wycombe got promoted, so fans never got to see the Chairboys in the flesh (excluding three games in December in which two were at home and one was away), as a Championship side. We got close in 2021/22 but lost to Sunderland in the play-off final, and in 2022/23 and 2023/24, we have finished just outside. The team are still evolving under Matt Bloomfield’s guidance, and whilst there will be bumps, the play-offs will remain the ultimate goal.
How would you assess Wycombe’s start to the season?
Very positive. Despite starting the league season with two back-to-back 3-2 defeats against Wrexham and Birmingham respectively, Wycombe have looked pretty good. The side have improved game-by-game and look a real threat up top. Strikers in Richard Kone, Sam Vokes, Dan Udoh and Bez Lubala have all scored this season, and in the recent 2-1 EFL Cup loss to Aston Villa, Wycombe matched them for large periods. They really should have taken the lead too.
What’s the mood like on the back of playing Aston Villa in midweek?
There is a lot of optimism around Adams Park at the moment. The performance on Tuesday night proved that Wycombe can match anyone and whilst defeats will occur, the manner of the displays will no doubt be important for Bloomfield and his backroom staff. The mood is very positive.
Who are the key players to look out for this weekend?
There are a few that stand out. Cameron Humphreys (who is on loan from Ipswich Town), has really impressed. He has come in as the replacement for Freddie Potts, and has already scored in both of his league games at Adams Park. Despite being 37-years-old, Garath McCleary looks fresh as ever. He will play a huge role in Wycombe’s season. Up top, Richard Kone will cause problems as he looks very sharp and at the back, Alex Hartridge had his best game in the loss against Villa on Tuesday night since his move from Exeter City. He is a long-throw specialist so that might be used at the Memorial Stadium.
What have you made of Bristol Rovers' start to the campaign as an outsider?
It seems Rovers have had an inconsistent start to the campaign, but it’s still very early days. Look at the season when the Gasheads went up in 2022 – you were 14th at the start of February yet incredibly won automatic promotion on the final day. It’s still very early in the season to make calls on who will go up, down etc, but I think Rovers will be just fine. Matt Taylor is a good manager, and I think the Gas will be safe from any trouble.
How do you think the game will go this weekend?
This fixture in recent seasons has always been edgy – the game on New Year’s Day still gives me cold sweats after what happened in injury-time! So I’m going for a 2-2 draw as both sides will go for it.
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