It’s fair to say that this year has been quite eventful for Matt Bloomfield.
After initially leaving Wycombe Wanderers in September 2022, which ended a nearly 19-year stint with the club as a player and then coach to take the managerial job at Colchester United, he was back at Adams Park within five months.
Gareth Ainsworth’s departure from South Buckinghamshire to Queens Park Rangers in February made the managerial hot seat at HP12 vacant, and there was only one man the Couhigs wanted at the helm.
And that man was Matt Bloomfield.
READ MORE: Four players with a 'spring in their step' ahead of Wycombe's clash with Shrewsbury
He agreed to the role on February 21 and took charge of his first game in charge four days later away at Shrewsbury Town, which ended in a 2-0 loss for the Chairboys.
Fast forward 10 months, the Shrews take on Wycombe for the first time since the 39-year-old’s inaugural fixture in the technical area, and he told the Free Press that a lot has been learnt in that time.
He said: “Loads have happened in that time, player and staff wise which we have managed as well as we possibly can.
“When I came back, I felt that the squad was at a crossroads as there were a few players who had been injured for a period, whilst others were looking to move for bigger money elsewhere.
“That led to a summer of change where there was a lot of learning.
READ MORE: 'There was more excitement' - Matt Bloomfield on Wycombe's cup win over Fulham U21
“I wanted to move this club forward and in the last two weeks, I have learnt a lot about the squad.
“It’s easy to be positive in the good times but you need to learn when things aren’t going well, as that can help you move forward.
“I’ve learnt more about myself in the good times but more in the bad times.”
Wanderers go into this weekend’s fixture with no league wins in seven where they have dropped from seventh to 15th in just two months.
This poor run, coupled with a huge injury list, has seen players being used out of position.
READ MORE: 'He was in a bit of pain' - Injury update provided on Wycombe's Lyle Taylor
And after boos were heard following last week's FA Cup exit to League Two Morecambe, Bloomfield hopes that things will improve on Saturday against Shrewsbury Town.
He said: “This job and this club mean an incredible amount to me.
“We’ve had many bright lights in how we can move this place forward, but have had a lot of challenges along the way which we need to deal with the best we can.
“It’s been an incredible 10 months as I’ve been able to take away a lot to help us move forward.
“When we have been on our game, we have been a match for anyone in the league.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield on the two Taylors - Dale's performance and Lyle's injury
“We should have taken a point at Portsmouth but a refereeing decision cost us, we should have two penalties whilst two one-on-ones were taken away from us at Charlton, we were one minute away from taking three points against Oxford, Peterborough said we were the best side that had visited this season…we’ve some very exciting performances along with some very disappointing ones.
“But there are things that we want to improve on and I’m judged on results so I’m focused on just getting better.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel