Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth has admitted that he still ‘loves learning lessons’ despite being in the role for nearly a decade.
The 48-year-old, who has taken charge of 490 matches and has won 192 of them as the Chairboys, was speaking about the tactical changes following his side’s 2-0 away win at Bolton, which has put Wanderers one point off the automatic promotion places.
With the Adams Park outfit being 2-0 inside the first 55 minutes, Bolton began to press to try and find a way back into the contest.
I’m really liking this Wycombe side. Thoroughly professional performance tonight, often not easy against the poorer sides but we kept Bolton at arm’s length for the vast majority of that.
— Alex Broom (@AlexBroom_) January 11, 2022
This led the manager to change from his original 3-4-1-2 formation to a 4-3-1-2, with Joe Jacobson, who was on a booking, and Anis Mehmeti, making way for Curtis Thompson and Daryl Horgan.
The boss also revealed that he has decided to wait when making his substitutes, following the 3-3 draw away at Fleetwood in October.
With the Chairboys 3-1 up after 50 minutes, Ainsworth decided to replace Adebayo Akinfenwa for Jordan Obita on 56 minutes.
Fleetwood responded by making three changes in the next three minutes, which ultimately rescued them a point.
Jack Grimmer's goal at Bolton was his first for Wycombe and the 17th different player to score for the #chairboys in all comps this season 👏👏👏 https://t.co/QlI8qphhP3
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) January 11, 2022
Ainsworth said: “Away at Fleetwood, I made a sub first, then Simon Grayson subbed second and he reacted to me so that’s a lesson learnt from me to be a bit more patient.
“Even 10 years in the job, you love learning lessons, and you love making things work and I thought [Marlon] Fossey was a real shining light for Bolton.
READ MORE: 'They’re a very good team' - Bolton boss Ian Evatt praises Wycombe ahead of midweek clash
“He’s very quick and direct and he’s a good, young player.
“He caused us problems on that right-hand side so we had to adjust to deal with him and to deal with what Bolton was going to throw at us.
FT: Bolton 0-2 Wycombe
— The Wycombe Way (@theWycombeWay) January 11, 2022
Excellent, Blues #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/ODuP4qS0dL
“We want to a four later one 4-3-1-2, to deal with their shape and that was to see out the game, and I thought the subs in Curtis Thompson and Daryl Horgan had a huge impact.
“It doesn’t always work out like that as we saw at Fleetwood, but it paid off tonight [January 11].”
Finally, the boss was impressed with the performance of Jack Grimmer who scored his first goal for the club in the away in the North West.
The strike, which came in his 84th match for the club, was a brilliant, first-time curling strike with his left foot.
It was his first goal since May 2018.
The boss continued: “I will ask everyone to rewind to Wembley when Coventry got promoted, I think from League Two, and have a look at that goal.
Wycombe fans at Bolton tonight
— Footy Away Fans (@FootyAwayFans_) January 11, 2022
🚗: 384 mile round trip
📸: @kisyrpk#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/AI3NqnuV61
“I don’t think there is too much difference apart from the shirt he is wearing.
“I think Jack only scores left-foot, top corner goals and if I am honest, it couldn’t have come at a better time as it eased the pressure off.
“Jack has been phenomenal.
“He has been a really good player for us, he knows his job, he executes what I ask and he’s a great lad to have in the squad.”
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