Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth believes his side ‘deserved’ all three points following their 2-0 win over Oxford United.
A brilliant strike from Curtis Thompson just before the break and a cool finish by Brandon Hanlan in the second half, sealed the Chairboys’ third win in four games since the turn of 2022, which has sent them top of the League One table.
The match at Adams Park, which was coined as a derby, also saw Wycombe achieve their highest attendance of the season so far with 8,005 – 1,808 being for the away end.
One change from the Bolton win. Curtis Thompson comes into the side. Vokes misses out due to a suspected positive Covid test, and McCarthy returns to the bench. Ali Al-Hamadi is also amongst the subs. #WYCvOXF #Chairboys #OUFC https://t.co/7MHht3fW5U
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) January 15, 2022
Speaking after the win, Ainsworth said: “It was a big result in the derby that is not a derby.
“It was a tough win which I think shows how far this club has come in regard to the standards of League One.
“We’ve gone top tonight, which is brilliant, there is a long way to go, but, to be amongst the names that we are amongst, is phenomenal.”
Going into the contest, Ainsworth made one change to the team that defeated Bolton on Tuesday night, as Sam Vokes was dropped with Thompson coming in.
It was revealed that the Welshman had s suspected positive Covid-19 test, meaning it was only the second league game this season he had not featured in.
Just a reminder that if Wycombe win and either Sunderland or Rotherham drop points against Accrington Stanley or Fleetwood Town respectively, Wanderers could go top of the League One table. #Chairboys #WYCvOXF #OUFC
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) January 15, 2022
However, despite the change of system and change in formation, Wanderers cruised to victory which has seen them go top of England’s third tier.
Ainsworth continued: “We had a big man on the bench, and we didn’t even need to put him on.
READ MORE: Wycombe sit top of the League One table following 2-0 win over Oxford United
“I thought some of the football we played was outstanding with Anis Mehmeti, Garath McCleary and Brandon Hanlan, what a front three that is.
31 - GOOOAAALLL!!!! CURTIS THOMPSON YOU BEAUTY! #Chairboys #WYCvOXF #OUFC
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) January 15, 2022
🔵 1-0 🟡
“They were carving chances out and I thought we deserved the win.
“Curtis Thompson and Josh Scowen secure the play, they secure the shape we employed which was very attacking as we went 3-2-4-1.
“It was kind of in Oxford’s faces as we wanted to try and get them to play the ball long, whilst also having the chance to get the balls to Mehmeti and McCleary, whilst Hanlan at times played like the big man up top, but also, he had his running moments.
60 - GOOOAALLL! BRANDON HANLAN IS ON THE SCORESHEET AGAIN! He was put through by McCleary, and there was Hanlan to put it through Eastwood's legs. Oxford look jaded. #Chairboys #OUFC #WYCvOXF
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) January 15, 2022
🔵 2-0🟡
“They boys did really well and I am proud of them.”
On missing Vokes, Ainsworth said: “It wasn’t a difficult adjustment, it was a worrying adjustment because it’s something going away from us that we have done for a long time.
“I do have my big strikers, but, we don’t always have to play the way that people think we play, which we don’t play.
READ MORE: Live updates at Adams Park: Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 Oxford United
"I thought the boys adapted well as the wingbacks got high in Jordan Obita, who of course was against his former club, and Jack Grimmer who had another cracking performance, and the back four, which includes David Stockdale, did so well in soaking up the crosses, and I thought we were great value for the result.”
Up next for Wycombe is an away trip to Morecambe on January 22, before they end the month with a home clash against MK Dons on January 29.
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