Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has insisted that his side are ‘totally focused’ on this weekend’s game at Derby County, and that their off-the-field issues are now ‘water under the bridge’.
The two clubs have been involved in a lengthy civil case as the Chairboys took the Rams to court over an alleged loss of earnings, following their relegation from the Championship in 2021.
Wanderers finished the season in 22nd place on 43 points, whilst Derby survived the drop into League One by securing one more point than Gareth Ainsworth’s men.
Final 2020/21 EFL Championship Table https://t.co/lWdjsrAscJ pic.twitter.com/jbHrdhAcTB
— Mercato (@themercatoway) May 8, 2021
However, during the course of the 2020/21 campaign, it was revealed that Derby had breached the EFL’s financial fair play regulations in which they were given a nine-point deduction.
This deduction came into effect for the 2021/22 season, before they had another 12 points taken off after they entered administration.
Aggrieved by this, Wanderers argued that the withdrawal of points should have taken place a season before, when they were both competing in the Championship.
That decision would have ultimately kept Wycombe in the second tier of English football for a second consecutive season.
The off-the-field issues with the former champions of England continued throughout the entirety of the previous campaign, as many potential buyers either pulled out of deals or have had their takeovers blocked by the Football League.
They were eventually saved from liquidation in June this year, as Derbyshire-based property developer David Clowes had purchased Pride Park and the club.
Gareth Ainsworth with the press: "After three losses you could enter into a spiral of negativity and worry about what happens if you lose another and another. I can never do that. I knew if we kept our focus we could get back on track and it's great to be four games unbeaten."
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 15, 2022
When asked if the off-the-field issues will add more spice to the fixture, Ainsworth said: “It will do to some fans and media outlets, but absolutely not from me.
“Derby finished with more points than us that season and that’s the end of it.
“It was for the people upstairs to talk about, but we are totally focused on a League One fixture now.
“They have had financial issues but we know what is like.
“It’s all water under the bridge for me now and if we start focusing on that, it will take everything away from our tactics, the way we play, and our intensity which we need to have to try and beat a team like Derby County.
A trip to Pride Park is next on the billing.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 14, 2022
Get behind the #Chairboys on the road as they take on Derby County this Saturday.
Tickets are still available to purchase up until 12PM on Friday, online and in-person - there will be no on-the-day sales.#WYCvDER
“There is no denying that they are a huge, huge, huge club.
“One of biggest to have ever been in League One and I think we have got to respect that.
READ MORE: How Wycombe Wanderers are becoming a force in the making
“We went down by one point in the Championship and I know that will be the focus for some people, but not me.
"If you keep holding grudges, you'll have a tough life."
“It’s a different year, we’re in League One and we plan to finish in the top six of this division.
The match will kick-off at 3pm.
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