Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has revealed his thoughts following his side’s 1-0 home loss to MK Dons on January 29.
A first-half strike from Scott Twine, which was his 13th of the season, secured MK’s fourth straight win over the Chairboys, as the Adams Park outfit drop one place to fifth in the League One table.
In a match that didn’t have many chances, Wanderers rarely tested Jamie Cumming in the away goal as they fell to only their third home league loss of the season.
The pride of Buckinghamshire. pic.twitter.com/CLuFkNomWK
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) January 29, 2022
However, the manner of how they were defeated will cause a bit of worry for the supporters, as they have now lost their last two matches, after going top following their brilliant win over Oxford United on January 15.
Speaking after the defeat at Adams Park, Ainsworth said: “We had two 1-0s against MK Dons, so credit to them.
“The players on the pitch were good, they defended really well and they had some real solid performances from some of their players, and with Scott Twine, who is having a terrific season, we didn’t defend quick enough to [his goal] it and that was the tale of the game.
“There weren’t many chances in this game and sometimes it is going to be like that, but it was great to be involved in a fourth vs fifth Buckinghamshire derby as it shows how far we have come.
FT: Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 MK.
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) January 29, 2022
Scott Twine's goal wins it for MK in a game where some of the away fans sang discriminatory chants against the Chairboys. Wycombe fall to fifth. #Chairboys #MKDons
🔵 0-1⚪️
“I’m proud of the boys and proud of their efforts, and I’ll know they’ll be people shouting at us saying ‘we need to work on a little bit more quality’, and when we do get the ball up their [in the opposition box], we have got to settle it better, play that killer pass and we didn’t do that today.”
Going into the match, Wycombe made one change following the defeat at Morecambe, as Adebayo Akinfenwa was dropped to the bench.
In came David Wheeler whilst Brandon Hanlan started up top.
Sam Vokes, who has missed the last three games due to Covid, came off from the bench, but struggled to make an impact.
13 - Goal to MK. Scott Twine with the finish. A flare has now been thrown onto the Adams Park pitch from the away end. #Chairboys #MKDons
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) January 29, 2022
🔵 0-1 ⚪️
Sullay Kaikai was also an unused substitute following his two appearances for Sierra Leone at this year’s African Cup of Nations.
Kaikai’s last involvement in a Wycombe game was coming on as a sub in the 2-2 draw against AFC Wimbledon in December.
The boss also stated that he would have started with Sam Vokes ‘if he had come back from Covid earlier’.
READ MORE: Sympathetic, angry, frustrated and raw – What Derby’s fans had to say on the Wycombe case
He continued: “I think that would have caused MK more problems.
“But again, our hands were tied a bit because he only trained 10 minutes after his Covid test and these things happen.
“Josh Scowen and Dominic Gape are also out and these are key players.
“But once we get them back, and when Vokesy is firing again, we will be strong.
“The boys are down at the moment but we’ll be back in on Monday and Tuesday to focus on our next few games.”
“Shrewsbury, Lincoln, and Cheltenham.
“These are good games to get back on the horse and start riding fast if we want to keep up with the pack.”
Wycombe do not have a game next weekend as they were due to play Cambridge United, however, the Us are still in the FA Cup and will play Luton Town instead.
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