Let’s face it, Wycombe Wanderers’ 4-0 away defeat against Ipswich Town on Good Friday was a day to forget.
However, one positive about the Easter period is that the fixtures come thick and fast.
Just three days after that thumping in Suffolk, the Chairboys take on a Forest Green Rovers side that sit rooted to the League One table.
⏪ Forest Green's only previous visit to Adams Park for a league game came in September 2017, when the #Chairboys romped into an early lead and there was no way back.#WYCvFGR pic.twitter.com/z4aXo3PXhP
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) April 9, 2023
READ MORE: 'The time is now' - Bloomfield's motivational message ahead of Forest Green clash
Could this be the perfect fixture for Wycombe to respond back to?
Or will Duncan Ferguson’s men shock the Adams Park side?
Here is everything you need to know about Wycombe Wanderers vs Forest Green Rovers this Easter Monday.
Background and Forest Green’s current form
Before we look at why the West Country club's struggles, let’s just remind ourselves one thing – This is Forest Green’s first-ever season in League One.
Their promotion into the third tier nearly 12 months ago under Rob Edwards (who now manages Luton Town in the Championship), saw them finish top of League Two in what was their highest-ever finish.
💪 Back at home on Easter Monday.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) April 8, 2023
Book online for Wycombe vs Forest Green at Adams Park.#WYCvFGR
Additionally, this current campaign is only their sixth year as a Football League side, following their promotion into the 92 back in 2017.
They have had a steady rise up the football pyramid.
But this season has been nothing short of a difficulty.
READ MORE: 'This is crucial' - Matt Bloomfield on Wycombe's penalty appeal in Ipswich loss
Rotted to the bottom of the League One table on 26 points, they remain the only club not to hit 30 points in the division this season.
They have also scored the least goals (29), conceded the most (74), have the worst goal difference (-45), have lost the most games (26), won the fewest games (six), and are 13 points from safety with 18 left to play for.
🤞 #Chairboys go looking for a league double over Forest Green when they meet at Adams Park on Monday.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) April 9, 2023
Here's how the Blues secured the points in the reverse fixture back in November.#WYCvFGR pic.twitter.com/MrcbqIIgoF
Additionally, since Duncan Ferguson took over as manager in January, following the sacking of Ian Burchnall, he has just won one of his 12 games in charge.
However, that victory happened to be against promotion-pushing Sheffield Wednesday at the back end of March.
Background and Wycombe’s current form
Losing 4-0 away from home is never nice.
But when it’s against a side that has not conceded a goal in their last eight games, in which they have won seven of them, even the most optimistic Wycombe fan would have predicted an Ipswich win on Good Friday.
READ MORE: 'It’s been a difficult day' - Matt Bloomfield on Wycombe's 4-0 loss at Ipswich
But the Chairboys can make amends for when Forest Green arrive on Monday.
Wanderers have one of the best home records in League One this season (10 wins from their 20 matches), and have not lost against FGR in the three league matches between the two.
📈Wycombe Wanderers have a 100% winning Football League record v Forest Green Rovers (3 games). Also see Kidderminster Harriers (2 games) and Man City (2 games).
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) April 9, 2023
In fact, Wycombe has beaten the Greens with an aggregate score of 7-2.
But they know a win is a must on April 10, as the Chairboys currently sit five points off the play-off with six games left.
Overall record against Forest Green
Games: Four
Wycombe wins: Three
Draws: One
Forest Green wins: Zero
Previous fixtures between Wycombe and Forest Green
2021/22: Forest Green Rovers 0-2 Wycombe Wanderers
Some filth from Gareth McCleary for Wycombe away at Forest Green yesterday.
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) November 13, 2022
pic.twitter.com/sCogRBA2sw
2018/19: Wycombe Wanderers 2-2 Forest Green Rovers (Wycombe win 4-3 on penalties – League Cup)
READ MORE: Below-par Wycombe are thumped by high-flying Ipswich at Portman Road
2017/18: Forest Green Rovers 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers
2017/18: Wycombe Wanderers 3-1 Forest Green Rovers
Miscellaneous
The referee for the match is Carl Boyeson
- This will be his first Wanderers game of the season
- His last fixture officiating the Chairboys was Wanderers’ 3-1 away win at Cheltenham Town in August 2021
- The assistants are James Vallance and Mark Derrien, whilst the fourth official will be Gary Parsons
- Wycombe’s last red card at home came on April 10, 2021 – exactly two years to the day when they take on FGR
- It was for Josh Knight in a 3-1 loss against Luton Town in the Championship
- They have not picked up a red card at Adams Park since that day
- Out of the 53 goals Wycombe has scored in the league this season, 31 have come in the first half
- Additionally, the most frequent time for Wanderers to score is in the opening 15 minutes
- They have scored 12 times in the period this season
- On the flip side, Forest Green has yet to score a goal in first half stoppage time this season, but seven of their 29 league strikes have come between the 30th and 45th minute
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