With the announcement yesterday that Brandon Hanlan had returned to training following an injury in the early stages of last season which saw him sit on the sidelines and have to go through months of rehabilitation, it brings a question into mind- What can Hanlan add to an already strong Wycombe attack, and will the likes of Richard Kone, Dan Udoh and Bez Lubala keep him out of the squad?
With the 24/25 season well underway, Wycombe now has the squad depth that many fans had asked for, sitting 5th in the League One table, and scoring goals in every match they have played so far, our attacking threat has never been stronger, with Dan Udoh, Richard Kone, Garath McCleary and Sam Vokes scoring goals in the nine league games played so far. Some goals even came from unlikely people, with defenders Joe Low and Dan Harvie also netting a goal each during Wycombe’s League One fixture versus Bristol Rovers.
Now, with the news that a name on the injury list is to soon be wiped off, Wycombe announcing that Brandon Hanlan has returned to training after suffering from an ACL injury, caused in November of 2023, he comes back to a Wycombe attack in which everyone is fighting for their place in the squad.
Firstly, Hanlan would have to return to full fitness, compared to the likes of Fred Onyedima who had signed for the Chairboys in the summer transfer window after leaving Luton, spending some time without a club in between, it took some time for Fred to train and get back to full fitness before making his first appearance for the Chairboys, which came off the bench. The same could be done for Hanlan, however, it could take longer because he has been out for a longer period of time, with a much worse injury. Wycombe will probably make sure that he isn’t forced back into the team when he isn’t ready, and with the depth Bloomfield’s team already has, it won’t hurt to take a few extra days in his road to returning to a League One fixture.
Hanlan participated in a practice match against QPR too, playing 20 minutes, which could also help him in preparing to return to the pitch. Upon his return to full fitness, Hanlan would most likely not be forced back into the squad immediately, with the attack already gelling quite nicely, he would most likely make a few appearances to close out games, before possibly being subbed on earlier on in other games to try and grab a goal or two.
Wycombe’s number 18 could make an appearance in a cup game, in which the stakes are somewhat less than a league game.
Brandon could possibly play in his usual position as a striker, maybe alongside goalscorer Richard Kone, the duo could work well together, with plenty of pace and goalscoring ability, or maybe on his own in the middle, with the team working to provide him the ball in dangerous positions.He could also possibly play on the wing, with plenty of pace and good with the ball at his feet, it would be interesting to see him link up with Jack Grimmer or Dan Harvie depending on what side of the pitch he is played.
Hanlan could be played higher up the pitch too when he returns, with the team pressing and regaining possession before letting the attackers do their work, Bloomfield would most likely not want to put too much pressure on Wycombe’s number 18, and could do so with not asking him to press as much.
I do believe it would be better to ease the striker back into things, as opposed to dropping him in the deep end- League One is a very physical League, and it would be better to be careful and not risk any further injury.
