Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has revealed that goalkeeper David Stockdale played in the 3-1 victory against Cheltenham Town with a ‘nasty’ hand injury.
The former Fulham, Leicester City, Birmingham City, and Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper produced some stunning saves in the win at the Johnny-Rocks Stadium on August 14, but the boss has since revealed that the club ‘will have to check out’ Stockdale before Wanderers’ next game against Wigan Athletic tonight (August 17).
Sam Vokes and a double from Olly Pendlbury gave the Chairboys an impressive win over Michael Duff’s men, which has seen them move top of the League One table with a 100 per cent record from their first two games of the season.
Here’s the boss’s full post-match interview.#CHLvWYC pic.twitter.com/TEbBrO0yQZ
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) August 15, 2021
READ MORE: Three Wycombe players make team of the week as Ainsworth praises squad
Burton Albion, Sunderland, and Portsmouth are also on six points respectively, but Wycombe currently sit top due to scoring more goals than the other three clubs (Wanderers have bagged five goals in their last two matches).
Ainsworth said: “David Stockdale for me is playing some of the best football of his career, and I include getting promoted to the Premier League [Hull City in 2012/13 and Brighton & Hoe Albion in 2017/18].
“He’s vital for what we’re doing at the moment.
“That catch at the end just took all the pressure off everything and that’s with a hand injury which is, believe me, quite a nasty one, which we will have to check out.
“But I am really pleased.”
Icing on the cake!@OPendlebury’s second goal of the game wrapped up the points after more wizardry from @AnisMehmeti.#CHLvWYC pic.twitter.com/0BrrDaLvHE
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) August 15, 2021
He also sang the praises of Pendlebury, who scored his first goals as a professional footballer in the win in Gloucestershire
Both strikes were scored in front of the travelling Wanderers fans, as he enjoys his run in the first team.
READ MORE: The FA Cup trophy will be in Marlow this week: Here's how you can see it
Ainsworth continued: “First of all, I have got to credit, Rob, Pete and Missy Couhig, and Andrew Howard as they’ve allowed us to start this development squad.
“There is no ‘B Team’, as there is no ‘B’, because you’re in a team - a development team and a first team.
“If you’re in that development team, then you have got to develop, and with Olly, he was pencilled in to be in the development team, just like Anis Mehmeti was last season.
What a way to score your first goal for the club! #EFL | @wwfcofficial pic.twitter.com/qc0ZmqWlCN
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) August 15, 2021
“But with injuries to the likes of Dom Gape and Curtis Thompson who are your season pros, along with David Wheeler, Olly has taken his chance.
“I think he has got plenty to learn about the game still, and the under 23s is a world away from where he is, but technically, he is a fantastic player.
“I have also got to give credit to Sam Grace as well, as he has come in and found some real diamonds for us.”
After the match against Wigan, Wanderers are back home on August 21 as they’ll face Lincoln City.
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 here