Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has explained why he decided to leave three central defenders on the bench in the Chairboys’ 3-2 victory over Derby County.
Jack Grimmer and Joe Jacobson started in the heart of the club’s defence, whilst Chris Forino, Jack Wakely and new signing Jordan Willis all began the fixture on the bench.
We hope you enjoyed your stay in Buckinghamshire, Derby fans.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) February 11, 2023
Have a safe journey home 👋 #Chairboys #DCFC #WYCvDER pic.twitter.com/47wR38Frn8
The latter was only revealed as an official Wanderers player just one hour before kick-off on February 11, and played the final few minutes as Wycombe secured their first-ever victory over the former Premier League club.
READ MORE: Wycombe Wanderers sign former Sunderland defender on a free transfer
This ended the Rams’ 15-game unbeaten run in the league that dated back to October.
Ainsworth said: “My job is to win games for this football club, and I will always find a way to do that.
“I know a few people would have asked questions when they heard the team and saw no centre backs despite having three on the bench.
“But I have my reasons.
“We have got a few injuries, so I did not want to leave Jake Wakely out to dry against a team like Derby as he’s young, whilst Chris Forino and Jordan Willis need match fitness.
Wycombe's new signing Jordan Willis has been reunited with a couple of his old colleagues in @JackGrimmer and @Jscowen6 🤝#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/Bcp3rUrfcT
— James Richings (@James_BFP) February 11, 2023
READ MORE: Live updates at Adams Park: Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 Derby County
“But once again, Joe Jacobson and Jack Grimmer as the centre back partnership were brilliant.”
On the set up, which saw the Chairboys start with four at the back, Ainsworth added: “We tweaked our formation because everyone has been playing these standard formations against Derby, and they have been ripping teams apart.
“I wanted to try something a bit different, and the boys did it for me.
READ MORE: Lewis Wing scores nine-minute brace as Wycombe defeat Derby 3-2 at Adams Park
This place.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 11, 2023
This team.
This club!#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/u7ALUzndkp
“With the goal we scored from the corner [Wycombe’s second], we worked on that in training yesterday [February 10].
“Erbil [Bozkurt] has come in and works with the defensive plays, which allows Dobbo to be more creative with the attackers and that’s how we got our second goal.
“We’re growing as a team and we’re doing well.”
Up next is an away trip to Accrington Stanley on February 14.
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