Wycombe’s superb performance in their 3-0 win at Barnsley has lifted the spirits of Wanderers fans now eagerly awaiting the visit of Charlton Athletic to Adams Park on Saturday (August 27).
Brilliant goals by Anis Mehmeti, Dom Gape, and Nick Freeman sealed an impressive win against a Barnsley team that had not lost a home game in League One for six years.
Apart from the goals, the most pleasing aspect of the Chairboys first away win of the season in the league was the display of new goalkeeper Max Stryjek.
Super super Max!@MaxStryjek got off to the perfect start as a Wanderer with an unbelievable diving save soon after lights out at Oakwell.#BARvWYC pic.twitter.com/D2ysEZ916P
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) August 22, 2022
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The Polish keeper pulled off three outstanding saves with the score at 0-0 and looked assured and confident throughout. A repeat performance against a strong Charlton side would make him an instant hit with Wanderers fans.
The Addicks have lost only one of their opening five league games and that was away to promotion contenders Sheffield Wednesday.
At home, they have beaten Derby County and thrashed Plymouth Argyle 5-1 before last week’s 1-1 draw against Cambridge United.
They finished a disappointing 13th last season, seven places and twenty-four points behind Wycombe who beat them home and away.
All three goals from reverse - just look at that hit from @DomGape!
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) August 21, 2022
With many thanks to the media legends at @BarnsleyFC for providing us with these wonderful pieces of footage.#BARvWYC pic.twitter.com/m01bjXLmRL
Two goals from Garath McCleary gave the Chairboys a 2-1 victory at Adams Park in September while Sam Vokes scored the winner at The Valley on New Year’s Day.
Charlton’s goal on their last visit to Bucks was a header by Sam Lavelle from a corner and conceding goals from set pieces has been a problem for Wycombe this season. They dealt with them much better at Barnsley but will need to be equally resilient against Charlton.
They are a big, powerful side with several players over six feet tall including centre backs Ryan Inniss (6’5”) and Eoghan O’Connell (6’2”), and striker Jayden Stockley (6’2”).
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Gareth Ainsworth will be hoping that Ryan Tafazzoli is fit and back to his commanding best for this one.
Tafazolli on why has missed Wycombe's last four games. He revealed it in his most recent vlog which was uploaded last night #Chairboys https://t.co/BSzGoYSo1U
— James Richings (@James_BFP) August 24, 2022
The return of last season’s top scorer Vokes would also be a major boost.
In addition to being the main spearhead of the Wanderers attack, the Wales international is excellent at defending in his own penalty area.
Saturday’s clash – like so many games in modern football – could well be decided by who excels at set pieces, but with confidence high again and key players returning from injury I back Ainsworth’s men to come out on top.
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