Cheltenham Town assistant manager Ian Baraclough has insisted that the Robins are a different side compared to the one that faced Wycombe Wanderers earlier in the month.
Relegation-threatened Cheltenham travel to Adams Park on Tuesday night to face EFL trophy finalists Wycombe in a League One fixture that could see them out of the bottom four for the first time this season, provided they pick up three points and results elsewhere go their way.
The Robins currently sit in 21st in the League One table, only one point adrift of safety with two games in hand on the teams above them. Meanwhile, the Chairboys occupy 15th place in England’s third tier, only five points above their midweek opposition.
Matt Bloomfield’s side were the happier of the two teams in the reverse fixture when Wycombe ran out 3-1 winners at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium. However, the last time they faced each other at Adams Park, the Robins left with maximum points in emphatic fashion. An Aidan Keena brace and a second-half strike from former striker Alfie May secured a 3-0 victory last season.
In the league, Wycombe have only won one of their last four games, thrashing playoff hopefuls Peterborough United 5-2 over two weeks ago. Cheltenham Town are richer in form in comparison though. The Robins are unbeaten in their last four, including three wins ahead of this crucial relegation clash.
Speaking to club media, Baraclough claimed that his side must focus on themselves to come away with something from the game.
“When you’ve got games coming quickly you can’t dwell on what’s gone on.
“It was a disappointing game against them [Wycombe] at home but I think we’re a different animal to a few weeks ago,” he continued.
We spoke to assistant manager Ian Baraclough ahead of tomorrow's clash with Wycombe Wanderers 🎙️#ctfc♦️
— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) February 26, 2024
“We get a chance to move out of the bottom four which would be a fantastic achievement, we just need to look after ourselves and get that result.”
Writer’s View
Cheltenham Town should fancy their chances against Wycombe on Tuesday night. Darrell Clarke’s men are on a great run of form at the moment and will be eager to get out of the relegation places sooner rather than later. Clarke has been immense since replacing Wade Elliott and the job he’s done at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium is remarkable. If the Robins stay up, he should be certainly be considered for manager of the season in League One.
One can also expect to see goals in this fixture. Clarke’s men have scored a total of 14 goals and are unbeaten in their last four visits to Adams Park which should fill them with even more confidence heading into the game. On the other hand, Wycombe will want to end Cheltenham’s run of good home form and with the final of the EFL trophy in their sights, players will be fighting for their place in the starting lineup for that fixture.
