Wycombe: The Opposition View

Following yesterday’s 3-0 win over Aldershot Town, here are some views on the game from Shots’ manager Gary Waddock and a few of their fans.


Speaking to the BBC, Waddock was left reeling after seeing his club’s injury crisis worsen:

‘My main concern is our injury list is getting bigger and bigger and longer and longer. We lose two centre-halves again today so my concern is whether we’ll be able to field a side for next Saturday.’

The Shots’ boss felt that losing key players made an already tough task even more difficult:

‘You come to a side that’s done extremely well this year, Peter Taylor’s done a fantastic job here with the players that he’s got, they’re in a position now to gain automatic promotion and we’re coming here with a patched-up team and in no time at all we lose our two centre-halves, so it gets even harder,’he said.

On his club’s official website, Waddock revealed that The Wycombe manager had some sympathy for the Shots.

‘Peter Taylor said to us that he couldn’t believe how unlucky we have been. The way the goals were scored summed it up, especially the second one after we had started the second half so positively only for the ball to rebound off Ricky Newman into the net. That is how it has been and I don’t want to cover old ground but it is frustrating.’

‘There were certain aspects of the match that we did ok in, but again, in between the two boxes were the problem and as I have said on a regular basis it is a results based business. We have been beaten again and I don’t like that feeling,’ said Waddock.



The Shots’ fans mainly took their frustrations out on the referee:

The following extracts are taken from ‘Shots Talk.’



steve4934 wrote:
‘Just back from the game and believe me, we were by far the better team in the second half. One reason we didn’t get anything from this game was Mr. C Sarginson gave us nothing. He missed two blatant handballs by Wycombe in the box, and one which they handled, broke and scored. Third goal was a gift. Howell pulled his groin and after lengthy treatment, Sarginson didn’t allow the sub before the corner. Wycombe broke down his side and we couldn’t cover. If Wycombe do go up this year, they will be back down next. They were crap.’



CH wrote:
‘Ref gave us nothing. We were never going to get anything with Mr Sarginson in charge, cant believe the amount of 50/50’s that went their way. We gifted Wycombe the first and second goals and they wasted the two best chances they created ‘themselves’ by heading wide to an open goal and another wonder save by Bull.’



Southstandman wrote:
‘I know possession doesn’t win football matches, but I’d guess it was 55/ 45 in our favour. I don’t know how we lost that 3-0.’

Poor guess pal…. Possession was 62%/38% in Wycombe’s favour.



Pianist Shot wrote:
‘Did my eyes deceive me or should we have had about 5 free kicks and a penalty in the 2nd half. All for handball! Please tell me I am not going mad! I just cant believe anyone could be THAT bad! PS. We didn’t lose the match today because of the ref, so it’s not sour grapes!’



Jim Royle wrote:
‘The game really was a non-starter which quickly turned into an ‘anything could happen’ thanks to injuries and a Ref who favoured the home side very embarrassingly.’



Ancient Shot wrote:
‘Apart from the rather unique access to the stadium, today was a good day out despite the result. Wycombe have won family club of the year twice in recent years and a visit there today showed just why that is. A very good stadium (if we get a new one can we have one like that please) and all the stewards, police and fans were very friendly and appreciative of the Shots fans’ good humour as their team sank to another defeat on the road. We actually played some sublime football today, especially at the start of the second half, but it was only in short spells and although I rarely berate a referee in print after a defeat, that man in black should be put out to pasture. I think he thought he was refereeing a Wasps game where handball is allowed! Anyway, a cracking day out and good luck to Wycombe in their hunt for promotion.’



A Shot From Wales wrote:
‘For the first time this season I left my protective jacket in the car and took up a seat with the ‘home supporters` – I was invited to watch the game, as a guest, from the upper tier of the Frank Adams Stand. And no, I don`t think any of our football was sublime?.. subliminal, perhaps. Our support was as always impressive, which prompted more comment from the London Wasps followers around me than our defending, passing, or shooting did. In fact it was a performance that ranked alongside Chesterfield, away, for ineptitude. I for one was not asking Gary to give me a wave. The players looked thoroughly miserable yesterday?.but then I guess they did no more than match my mood as I drove home down the M4.’



Alf W wrote:
‘I loved the ground and I also thought we played some very good football today and were desperately unlucky not to score 2-3 goals. We were also unlucky with injuries, losing both centre halves in the first half. After that it was always going to be difficult keeping their strikers out. The referee was shocking.’



Chris Myles wrote:
‘We did not have the rub of the green, especially with the officials, but even without the injuries we would still have lost by at least 3 goals. We give sides so much space and time in the penalty box. Last comment from yesterday is about the pitch. It’s not fit for league football, two of our injuries were down to the poor footholds.’



Stay tuned for the good old Luton Town fans’ balanced views after Tuesday evening’s crucial match.