Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth hopes his side can be a ‘fortress’ at Adams Park as they welcome two rival promotion-hopefuls in their season run-in.
Following their 2-0 win over Doncaster Rovers on April 2, which was their fourth win in five matches, the Chairboys are now one point off the play-off places.
In their final two home games of the campaign, Ainsworth’s men face Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday who occupy two of the four play-off spots, but the 48-year-old is hopeful that they can sneak into the top six before the end of the season.
Away from home, Wycombe still have to play Cambridge United, Gillingham, Wimbledon and Burton Albion.
18 - GOOOALLLLLLL!!! It's another home goal for Garath McCleary! Mehmeti's cross is easily headed in and Wycombe lead! That's his eighth of the season, and they've all been at home! #Chairboys #DRFC
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 2, 2022
🔵 1-0 🔴
Cambridge and Burton are safe from relegation but are not pushing for a play-off spot, whilst the Gills and the Dons are fighting to avoid the drop.
Speaking after the win over the Yorkshire outfit, the manager said: “We’ve probably played better and not won this season so you take the win all day, but I thought for around 20 minutes in the first-half, I thought we were sensational as I thought we could have had three or four in that period.
“The boys have seen it out really well and I always do this but when we have days off, I always think that the next game might be a dodgy one as we’ve lost them in the past.
“But today [Saturday], was good.
“The boys were rested, they’ll be recovered for the next game, so to give them a few days and get a result was perfect.
“Celebrate these days, celebrate these people, and celebrate these moments.”
75 - GOOOOALLLLLL!!! ANIS MEHMETI!!!!! His bending effort from inside the box was too hot for Mitchell to handle, and Wanderers are 2-0 up! #Chairboys
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 2, 2022
🔵 2-0 🔴
Ainsworth was also pleased with the defensive display as Wycombe kept their fifth clean sheet in six games, meaning they have kept 16 in the league this season.
He continued: “It is really pleasing, and Dave [Stockdale] has had to make two really good saves at the end, with Stewart and Tafazolli making some great tackles and blocks and a clean sheet is fantastic.
“We’re becoming this solid team that will be hard to beat and if we’re a fortress as we’ve got Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday here to come, and they’re crucial games to come.”
And despite him naming the same team for the fourth straight week against Doncaster, he believes that changes could be made as Wanderers prepare for their final six matches of the league season.
Ainsworth added: “They’ll be times for other players to games.
FT: Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 Doncaster Rovers.
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 2, 2022
Goals from Garath McCleary and Anis Mehmeti make it six unbeaten for the Chairboys, keeping five clean sheets in that time. Am waiting to speak to the boss #Chairboys
“We’ve got the likes of David Wheeler coming back who hasn’t played for a couple of weeks, whilst Dom Gape, Jack Grimmer and Sullay Kaikai weren’t even in the squad.
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“Those are big names are we’ve got Jordan Obita back today as well.
“It’s all about the squad game but a settled side is a lot better than chopping and changing.”
Up next for Wycombe is Cambridge on April 5.
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