Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has been previewing his side’s huge League One clash with Ipswich Town and was quick to praise his squad and supporters before calling for another massive effort from both tomorrow night.
The Chairboys have been the surprise package of League One this campaign. After struggling to avoid the drop last season, investment from American lawyer Rob Couhig over the summer led to some astute signings in the transfer window, a strengthening of the squad that’s borne fruit, with Ainsworth guiding his men to the top of the table.
The Buckinghamshire outfit is currently five points clear of Ipswich in second, having played two games more, and they travel to Portman Road for the first time in their history in buoyant mood after snatching a late winner at Adams Park against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
In stark contrast to the Tractor Boys’ boss Paul Lambert, who appeared prickly in his press conference, Ainsworth seemed far more relaxed and was quick to acknowledge the massive effort from both his players and the club’s supporters in helping the Chairboys reach the top of the table.
He said this to the club’s official website: ‘It’s amazing to be going to Portman Road for the first time ever with Wycombe Wanderers, sitting just above them at the top of the table. We’ve worked so hard this season and earned our rewards by picking up enough points to reach first place. There’s still such a long way to go this season, and we won’t lose our focus, but I’m so proud to be the manager of this club, and I know it means so much to everyone to see us in this position.’
‘But bringing anything back from Ipswich would be a great result for us, as they’re a strong side, and favourites for the league title – rightly so. In Paul Lambert, they’ve got a very good manager who’s managed at the top level, and they’ve got an extremely strong squad who I know will be eager to get the win and stop us in our tracks.’
‘We’ve got some tired legs in the squad, and the long break after the game will come at a good time for us, but we’ll think about that afterwards – right now my boys are ready to go out there and give everything they’ve got to keep this run going and try and achieve a result that most people wouldn’t have thought possible a couple of years ago.’
‘The boys have been outstanding all season, and they’re giving me a real selection headache because there’s many more than 11 who deserve to be starting, but they know it’s about picking the right team to suit the game, and I know that whoever is called upon will give their all for the team.’
‘It’s another away day for our fans who’ve had a busy and expensive month I’m sure, but this is an exciting one to look forward to, going to a former Premier League ground for the first time, knowing that the reward for winning will be seeing the name of Wycombe Wanderers in a fantastic position in the League 1 table. To everyone who’s coming along, or supporting us from wherever they are in the world: thank you, because I know you’ll be getting right behind us to play your part in getting us another good result.’
Wycombe will not take to the field again until they play Burton Albion on 14 December and while Ainsworth admitted his side was looking forward to a break after a busy period, he promised his team would leave everything on the pitch in their quest to get a result in East Anglia.
Our View
Classic man-management and psychology from Ainsworth taking all the pressure of his players.
The fact of the matter is all the pressure is on Ipswich and Paul Lambert.
Ipswich fans expect to win promotion, while Wycombe are just enjoying the ride, and that was evident in the attitude of the two managers in their pre-match demeanour.
We are not saying Wycombe will win, but Ipswich will need to be at their very best to see off Ainsworth’s well-drilled side.
