Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has praised the performance of Watford after the Hornets defeated the Chairboys 4-1 in a pre-season friendly.
Taking place behind-closed-doors in London Colney, a double from Ismaila Sarr, and a strike each from Emmanuel Dennis and Yaser Asprilla condemned Bucks team to the first defeat of the summer involving their first-team.
This is how #WatfordFC line up today.#Chairboys https://t.co/USzkHJZVI2
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) July 16, 2022
However, despite the result, Ainsworth remained upbeat as Wanderers take on a Bournemouth XI and Southampton B side across two days next week.
READ MORE: Wycombe's first-team are smashed by Watford in behind-close-doors pre-season friendly
Speaking to the club’s media after the loss in Hertfordshire, he said: “They are a good side.
https://twitter.com/wwfcofficial/status/1548291639482781700
“They played in the Premier League last season, I don't think they have changed too much [in terms of squad personnel] and I don’t think you can be too disheartened with the scoreline.
4-1 to Watford in the closing stages, with Tom Dele-Bashiru slamming home from close range.#Chairboys
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) July 16, 2022
“Although, we gave a couple of goals away that disappoints me.
“That’s something we need to work on and get better at.
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth provides Wycombe transfer update after pre-season defeat against Watford
“It was the first game where we put a structure in place and even though we had a few players playing out of position, we are trying to get minutes into their legs which is important.
FT; #WatfordFC 4-1 #Chairboys
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) July 16, 2022
A full-strength Hornets side come out on top, with @RyanTafazolli netting for the Blues. pic.twitter.com/sL8HIWA8kY
“With one or two on the sidelines still, we need to get minutes into their legs so there will be two teams playing on the two nights, and hopefully we can come up with the goods for the Burton game as that’s only a week later.”
Wycombe will take on Bournemouth on Friday, July 22 before facing Southampton a day later on July 23.
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