Gareth Ainsworth has praised the attitude of winger Garath McCleary following his display in Wycombe’s 3-0 victory over Port Vale.
The former Jamaican international played the final 25 minutes and scored Wanderers' third goal of the contest at Vale Park on February 4.
His strike sealed Wycombe’s 13th league victory of the campaign, which was their fifth in seven games.
80 - OH MY WORD, @gmccleary12! What a goal!
— James Richings (@James_BFP) February 4, 2023
Wycombe are running away with it now!
⚪️ 0-3 🔵#PVFC #Chairboys
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth on Ryan Tafazolli's injury in Wycombe's 3-0 win over Port Vale
Additionally, since Wanderers drew with Port Vale 2-2 on November 1, McCleary has completed 90 minutes on just three occasions in the Chairboys’ 10 games since.
But Ainsworth has revealed that the mindset of the former Reading and Nottingham Forest man has made his squad selections easier to do.
The manager said: “Garath McCleary has been incredible for us.
“He has not started the last two games, but he has been a model professional so when you put him on, he plays like he is on the playground.
McCleary
— Callum (@ca11umwr1ght) February 4, 2023
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth's analysis on Wycombe Wanderers' 3-0 win over Port Vale
“He is brilliant to have and he understands the changes that need to be made.
"It's so good to have that in your squad."
On getting the first goal inside the opening 15 minutes, Ainsworth added: “It wasn’t planned that we needed an early goal, but we did work during the week on counter-attacking our opponents.
“It’s always great to see what you practise during the week come off in the game.
FT Port Vale 0 Wycombe 3
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) February 4, 2023
Big three points for Wanderers.
Brief spell of pressure from #pvfc at start of 2nd but Jacobson penalty on 79 followed by McCleary strike on 82 seal consecutive 3-0 away win and clean sheet for #chairboys 🤩
Att: 7,237 (389 away)https://t.co/Wuu9cg3GI1 pic.twitter.com/VFdeJRTztC
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“We worked on getting the ball quicker so when the ball fell to Lewis Wing, he knew exactly what to do and he picked out Brandon [Hanlan] with an awesome pass, and it was a great finish.”
Up next is Derby County at home on February 11.
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