The Opposition View – Walsall

Following Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 defeat at Walsall, manager Gary Waddock told the club’s official website:

‘It’s a disastrous result. The results around us didn’t go well either so it’s a very disappointing day. We need a win it’s as simple as that. The longer it goes, the harder it becomes.’

‘There are enough games to turn it around and until it’s gone we will keep fighting. It’s obviously stacked against us but we keep going. The quicker we get a result and some confidence it gives us a chance. There is no magic cure or miracle.’

‘You thought with the penalty save it might have turned our way but, not just today, it has been very hard for the players and fans this season because nothing has gone our way. That is not making an excuse that is the way it is in the cold light of day.’

‘It’s draining because week after week we go a goal down. It’s hard for the players – it’s draining and energy-sapping. The last two games have been a very big disappointment – we are low. We can’t get any lower but we have to keep going.’

He also expressed some candid views to the Bucks Free Press?

‘I put the pressure on myself. No one`s happy, I`m the first one to admit I`m not pleased with where we are. I`ve put together that group of players. It`s my team and I take full responsibility for that. The players have given me everything they`ve got, and it`s my responsibility.’

‘Everyone looks at the league table, it`s not very pleasing or encouraging for anybody. The quicker you get a result and the quicker you get that confidence and belief – it gives us a chance. The longer it goes on, the harder it becomes.’

Meanwhile Walsall manager Dean Smith`s focus was understandably on his own-side’s performance and he said: ‘I thought we played well and deserved to win and in the second half I felt there was only one team going to win it.’


Here are some views on the game from some relieved Wallsall fans. The following extracts are taken from the ‘upthesaddlers’ forum.


Fray Bentos is God! wrote:
‘First half seemed like we felt them out and after a promising 20 minutes, the game turned into a battle of attrition until half time.’

‘Second half started the same way but then it dawned on us that we could just run through their midfield. The laws of physics were broken with Hurst`s shot. It was bending everywhere. Keeper stayed still and I jumped around.’


Pedagogue wrote:
‘An uninspiring game between two cautious teams, scared of making mistakes. We deserved the win as we were less bad than a dreadful Wycombe team. The Chairboys’ first and only on-target attempt on our goal came in the 87th minute!’

‘We totally dominated the second half and looked better when we eschewed the hoofball game and played it on the ground. Aimless punts upfield, particularly against knuckle-scraping Neanderthals, like Laing, Winfield and Basey are never going to yield dividends.’


deanonev69 wrote:
‘First half was utterly forgettable with two teams I said are destined for League 2. However, whilst Wycombe’s second half performance did little to make me believe my half time prediction was incorrect; we came out and played much better.’


Bristol Fan wrote:
‘We were able to hold off an extremely poor Wycombe side, who were worse than us in every department. We were never troubled at the back, but I don’t think we can take that much comfort from the performance elsewhere.’

‘You can do no more than beat the team in front of you and regardless of how poor the opposition was, obviously it’s great to finally win a game, but I won’t be getting carried away – there is a huge amount to do if we’re to have any chance of avoiding joining the Chairboys in League Two next season.’


WFC Rob wrote:
‘First half was so short of quality, it gave us an insight into what most games will be like if we go down. Wycombe were dreadful.’


bangsection wrote:
‘Wycombe certainly looked gone. The body language of their players terrible, arguing among themselves, utterly bereft of quality.’


kshammer wrote:
‘In a nut shell Wycombe were as bad as I’ve seen in this league – division 2 team all day long.’


m&m wrote:
‘Wycombe were probably the worst team I have seen in many years. They still needed beating though which we did comfortably.’


Bernie wrote:
‘The main thing we discovered today was that we are not the worst team in League One.’



Next Game:
Wycombe Wanderers v Hartlepool United
Saturday 25th February 2012 – Kick-off 3.00pm