If Saturdays trip to Coventry was considered to be tough, the arrival of a form Wycombe Wanderers to Bloomfield Road will likely prove yet further of a challenge. Blackpool's victory over an inconsistent Coventry may have been impressive, but Blackpool were also extremely lucky as they were outplayed by the Sky Blues having just three shots over the entirety of the match. The Seasiders will need something much more powerful than luck to win over a much more clinical Wycombe, a side that has come a long way since that opening day of the season.
Injuries and Suspensions:
The Blackpool squad is now freshening up, with just Ryan and Clayton still out. Mark Cullen has departed for Carlisle on loan however. Wycombe have a couple out also, with Ma-Kalambay and Charles both being left sidelined.
Wycombe Wanderers
The History
A merited promotion last season through the final automatic spot has seen Wycombe produce a positive first half of the season. The 'Chairboys' were founded in 1887 and play their home football at Adams Park which, at capacity, can facilitate for 9,410 people. Wycombe are often commended for the way in which the club is run , winning the 'Family Club of the Year' award two seasons in a row (2006/07 and 2007/08). They are the only club to ever pull off this feat.
After making it to the Football League in 1993, also winning the F.A Trophy that year, Wycombe have not looked back and have knocked around the lower divisions of professional football ever since. The club is quite fittingly owned by the fans or 'Wycombe Wanderers Trust' and the recent promotion is testament to their ambition.
The Manager
Gareth Ainsworth, who has been at Wycombe since 2010, was first a player, then player-manager and finally manager. During his time as a player Ainsworth was a pacy winger with an excellent reputation for crossing. His main clubs as a player were Preston, Lincoln, Port Vale, Wimbledon, QPR and finally, of course, Wycombe. In total he played 555 times and scored 108 goals over the course of a very successful career. At QPR he acted as caretaker-player-manager on two occasions, before making his move to Wycombe.
At Wycombe Ainsworth succeeded Gary Waddock, who had left Wycombe on just 4 points after 7 games. He would steer the club clear of relegation that year and would also announce his retirement as a player at the end of the season. His recent promotion is the possible highlight of his 7 seasons at the club, but he will also be pleased with their current situation in League One.
The Star Men
Ryan Allsop
A name many Blackpool fans will remember from his short lived loan spell by the seaside, but after joining from Bournemouth in the summer, he has been very reliable. He has played 23 times for them so far and kept 6 clean sheets, including one on the opening day of the season against Blackpool.
Paris Cowan-Hall
Cowan-Hall returned to Wycombe in January 2017 after leaving for Milwall two seasons prior. His eight goals from the wing last season was essential for their promotion last season and his pace causes real issues for opposition defences. He has scored 3 goals this season, but could prove to be a threat on the counter.
Adebayo Akinfenwa
Also known as 'The Beast', Akinfenwa has a very distinct way of playing. He uses his body well and bullies defences into mistakes and is clinical in front of goal. He signed in 2016 after being released by AFC Wimbledon and has scored 18 in both of his last two seasons at the club. He has bagged 5 goals and 5 assists so far and all I can do is wish Tilt and Heneghan good luck!
Wycombe so far
Wycombe are a side that like to play direct and really try to attack their opposition, which often leads to mixed results. After winning just 1 of their first 11 in the League, Wycombe looked to be a side set for the drop, but they have managed to turn it around. The Chairboys are conceding more on average than they are scoring however, scoring 1.34 and conceding 1.38, but after such an abysmal start, this is not such as bad statistic. At times they have been unplayable, and have come a long way since the opening day, so Blackpool had certainly better be wary. Blackpool will look to keep things tight tommorow, but with over 17% of Wycombe's matches ending in a 3-2 scoreline, this may be easier said than done.
Last Meeting:
Prediction:
2-2 - Blackpool are still not playing to their fullest at the minute and not giving even close to the full performance. Wycombe are coming into this match having won 3 on the bounce and will look to make it 4. I think Blackpool could easily find themselves behind, but they certainly have the ability to come back. All in all though, this could go either way.
UTP