Wycombe Wanderers manager Matt Bloomfield insists this weekend’s trip to Bristol Rovers will be a ‘tough test’ as he aims to secure the club’s first away league win of the season.
It has been an inconsistent start to the campaign for the Chairboys with four points from the opening four matches, but the club are unbeaten in their last two.
Additionally, Wycombe have a respectable record at the home of the Pirates with six wins from their last 10 league trips, losing just three times.
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🎟 Supporters have until 12pm tomorrow to purchase tickets for this Saturday's fixture vs Bristol Rovers.
— WWFC Ticket Office (@wwfctickets) August 24, 2023
Pay on the day is not available so supporters must purchase in advance.#Chairboys https://t.co/1PRj6gYIiB
The only draw from the previous 10 encounters was in August 2019 with the match finishing 0-0.
Bloomfield said: “They've done an excellent job in terms of their recruitment as they’ve got a few young boys in on loan along with a few senior bodies too.
“They're trying to improve and we're aware of their goal threat too as they're a team with good legs about them.
“It’ll be a tough test as Joey Barton has done a great job there.”
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Following the conclusion of Wanderers’ last visit to the Memorial Stadium in March, Rovers boss Joey Barton unleashed a tirade towards the Chairboys’ style of play.
Goals from ex-Pirates striker Brandon Hanlan and Chem Campbell gave Wycombe a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers in a rearranged Tuesday night fixture.
Hanlan scored nine in 48 at Bristol Rovers which included seven in 14 games.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) March 17, 2023
But it seems Barton has forgotten about this when having a pop at the Wycombe forward.
Not a good look for the Bristol Rovers boss. #Chairboys 👇https://t.co/5Z77zf5qod
At the time, Barton said: “They’ve beaten us twice [that season] but I don’t think, if you watch them play, I wouldn’t want to play like that - it’s horrendous football, you just boot it.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, Joey Barton reflecting on his #brfc side losing for the second time this season to Wycombe Wanderers.
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) March 17, 2023
"It's worse when you know you are better than them." pic.twitter.com/TleLEVtklB
However, when asked about Barton’s previous encounters with Wycombe in the past, Bloomfield stated that ‘everyone is entitled to their opnions’ and that Wanderers need to ‘go about our business’.
Joey Barton said in December that he wouldn't swap any of Bristol Rovers' players for Wycombe's.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) March 15, 2023
Wycombe have since beaten Bristol Rovers twice.
🤔#Chairboys 👇https://t.co/gTWfd8NpSq
He continued: “One thing we try and do here is concentrate on ourselves.
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“We are pleased with how we conduct ourselves as we conduct our business.
“We are proud of the group we’ve got together this summer and I was proud of the team I took back in March as we got a very good win.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinions but we can only focus on what we can do.”
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