Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth has reminded those connected to the club that ‘patience’ was going to play a huge role in the club’s current season.

The Chairboys lost several key first-team players during the summer in Anthony Stewart, Adebayo Akinfenwa, and David Stockdale, whilst Matt Bloomfield and Lee Harrison departed the coaching staff to join Colchester United.

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The exists left Ainsworth admitting that the club are in the ‘next era’, as they aim to finish in the play-off places for a second consecutive season.

Speaking to the press after the club’s 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day, he said: “This season was all about patience as we lost so many big characters in the summer and at the start of the season.

“David Stockdale, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Anthony Stewart, Matt Bloomfield, and other members of staff all left.

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“But we’re in the next era of Wycombe Wanderers as we have got Anis Mehmeti, Ryan Tafazolli, Alfie Mawson is back, Lewis Wing, Jordan Obita, and more and I’m really proud of the performance [against Bristol Rovers].

“People would have been panicking a few months ago when we were midtable, but I always said we’ll be OK.

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“At the moment, we’re in the play-offs.

"We are above Portsmouth, Derby, and Charlton and it’s that’s great to say but it’s what the boys deserve.”

Wycombe currently sit in sixth place and take on top-of-the-table Plymouth Argyle on December 29, for their final game of 2022.