Wycombe Wanderers head coach Mike Dodds is certain his team will be successful as the race for promotion from League One heats up.
The Chairboys have found themselves embroiled in a tantalising race for a top two finish with Hollywood-backed Wrexham. They currently sit third and three points behind the Welsh-based outfit, although do possess a game in hand and a better goal difference.
Wycombe were unable to capitalise on Wrexham’s draw with Cambridge United on Tuesday night when they were held to a goalless draw with bottom of the table Shrewsbury Town. They now face a tough trip to play-off chasers Reading on Saturday.
Dodds – “This Isn’t Little Wycombe Anymore”
Although disappointed by Tuesday’s missed opportunity, Dodds has insisted he is looking forwards rather than backwards. Contending with the financial clout of Birmingham City and Wrexham has been no mean feat, but the former Sunderland coach believes his players will eventually be the ones celebrating come May. Speaking to official club media, he said:
“I’m focused on us and what we need to achieve, and one thing I’ve become increasingly aware of is that a lot of teams are showing us a lot of respect and making games really difficult for us. This isn’t little Wycombe anymore and this club is only going to get bigger and better with the plans for the club going forward.
“These are games (against Reading) that we want to be involved in and we won’t be shirking any responsibility. We have to focus on us and if we do that, we can be as good as anyone.
“We need to take the handbrake off in some instances; we did that on Tuesday and some of our play was outstanding, so we go into these fixtures not fearing anyone and just focusing on winning these remaining games.
“What we want is for the Wycombe fans to leave the stadium on Saturday and be able to have a really enjoyable Saturday evening. We need them behind us on Saturday and again on Tuesday and again the next Saturday and so on. It’s a really important month and we’ll have some good performances, some not-so-good performances, we’ll have momentum going for us and against us, people will be keeping an eye on what’s going on around us.
“I just know that I’ve got 100% belief that this group of players is going to be successful.”
Writer’s View
Wycombe have been exceptional this season and still hold automatic promotion in their own hands. However, Wrexham have been relentless in recent weeks and this looks like it will come down to the final day. Both teams have a tough run in, with the Chairboys still having to play six teams hunting down a play-off place whilst the Red Dragons finish with three tough fixtures against Blackpool, Charlton Athletic and Lincoln City.
