Wycombe’s confidence crisis

Wednesday, 07/12/2011

by Phil Slatter, Shoot's Wycombe blogger

When Wycombe were promoted at the end of last season, they went on a ten-game unbeaten run that saw then twice gain draws after being 2-0 down and twice winning 3-1 after going a goal behind.

Confidence and consistency were there in abundance. Despite some early promise, this has evaporated in League One and the Chairboy's find themselves at the wrong end of the table.

Fans' hopes were cautious before the season but even those with low expectations have to be disappointed by the current form.

The problem has been Wycombe's inability to perform against fellow strugglers, or even sides in mid table. Impressive victories away to Leyton Orient, Hartlepool and a home win over Sheffield United have been overshadowed by defeats to Rochdale, Bury, Yeovil and Bournemouth amongst others.

Wanderers haven't been thrashed by anyone and have only lost two league games by more than one goal. However, the frustration is that good performances against top teams haven't replicated against sides where three points seems a real possibility.

It's that lack of consistency once more. Many Blues followers would no doubt have happily accepted heavy defeats to Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday if it had meant picking up wins elsewhere.

So why are Wycombe struggling? The team is by no means a bad one, but is it really that much stronger than in May?

Of the summer signings, only winger Joel Grant has remotely impressed and manager Gary Waddock has dipped into the loan market to bolster the squad. Martin Rowlands, Grant Basey and Fulham youngster Marcello Trotta have all walked straight into the first team and youngster Jordan Ibe is also getting a decent fill of first team football.

Yet the team is low on confidence. The Blues have only managed to come from behind four times all season. On two occasions they have achieved a draw and the other two resulted in 4-3 defeats. If the team gets confidence from a good performance against a top side one week, this quickly evaporates a week later when Wycombe find themselves 1-0 down inside 30 minutes.

Wycombe now face a crucial period in which they have three games at home, two of which are against fellow strugglers. If they can perform in these games they way they have done against the likes of Notts County, MK Dons and Sheffield United they will climb the table. If not, an immediate return to League Two looks highly likely.

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