The two clubs have come a long way in two years
When Bolton last visited Adams Park on the opening day of the 2019-20 season, it was undeniably a surreal afternoon. Wycombe were buoyed by the prospect of potential new owners and intent on little more than a higher finish than the previous campaign. Bolton were plagued by money worries were relieved just to be able field a starting eleven. It had the markings of a relegation battle with neither club sure about their future. Wycombe were dominant that day but the Bolton fans left the ground singing along to Sweet Caroline, happy that at least they had a side to watch. This season, the two teams were far more evenly matched and the clubs both on a more stable footing as the Chairboys looked to keep in touch with the automatic promotion places and the Trotters eager to close the gap on the play-offs. Ironically, the 1,078 away fans were probably left Adams Park more disappointed this time around…
Gareth Ainsworth is not afraid to change things around
The use of the wing-back system has reaped rewards for Wycombe this calendar year – switching to three at the back nearly saved their Championship status and helped them to a flying start to life back in League One. Yet recently it has seen them open to counter-attacks which was their undoing against both Ipswich Town and Portsmouth. Ainsworth took the bold decision to drop Joe Jacobson meaning Jordan Obita and Jason McCarthy had to sit further back in an attempt to shore things up. It did the trick as Wycombe managed to keep their first clean sheet for over a month.
Bolton remain shakey at the back
Bolton shipped five goals at Stockport County in the F.A. Cup and whilst things weren’t quite that bad in South Bucks, there is no denying their defence looked vulnerable. Not for the first time this season, they were caught trying to overplay the ball at the back which lead to a first-half penalty that goalkeeper Joel Dixon saved. Yet there were occasions when Dixon was coming too far off his line far too quickly and other occasions when the defence were clearing efforts Dixon should have come to claim. Was it simply nerves from the defenders? Maybe, but arguably Dixon could have done better with the decisive goal, a header that hung in the air for a while even if it did appear to dip right at the key moment. Dixon did save well from Brandon Hanlan (when he did need to come off his line quickly) and Ryan Tafazolli to keep Bolton in the game late on, but however you look at it, the Trotters need to be collectively better in their own box.
There’s no point bemoaning your luck
Against Portsmouth and Hartlepool in the cup, Wycombe hit the proverbial woodwork no fewer than four times. In the first half against Bolton, Sam Vokes made it five in three games when his effort hit the inside of the post and spun across the front of the goal with most of the home crowd on their feet expecting the net to bulge. It felt as if that, coupled with Mehmeti’s penalty being saved, meant that the footballing gods were not smiling on Wycombe. There is no point losing discipline and getting desperate about such things though, and Wycombe’s endeavour meant they were not ruing what might have been for the third game running.
Wycombe celebrate their first goal at Adams Park in over six and a half hours of football
Garath McLeary is a sight for sore blue eyes
Wycombe’s recent slump coincides with a shoulder injury to Garath McCleary. After he went off injured against Crewe, it was mentioned on this very site that strength in depth could be key and whilst there are other factors behind Wycombe’s poor run of two draws and four defeats in six games, the forward has been missed. Gareth Ainsworth may have been hoping not to need him against Bolton – his shoulder remains heavily strapped – but his entrance into the action on 62 minutes gave both the team and the somewhat subdued crowd a noticeable lift. He didn’t play a part in the winning goal but his quality was evident nonetheless.
Fireworks light up the night sky as Wycombe celebrate a much needed three points
Wycombe Wanderers 1 (Vokes 72)
Bolton Wanderers 0
ATT: 5,710 (AWAY 1,078)
words Phil Slatter, D3D4 Chairboys writer