As the Final whistle blew on their first away win of the season at Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium, Michael Duff appeared relieved. Not because it was his third win as Wycombe boss but more at the quality of football that the Chairboys delivered.

It was evident during the game that Duff was far from impressed by the performance levels as he barked constant instructions from the sidelines demanding more composure from his team.

As Duff remarked in his post match interview: “I was pleased with the win. It was the only thing you can take away from the game. That was the most disappointing part of today. But what we have shown is that we can fight, can dig in and we’ve limited them to one real chance.”

And it was the defensive solidity that was probably the key highlight from the game. Duff had alluded the previous week after the home draw against Barnsley, that places were up for grabs as he was looking for a reaction from his players.

He responded by giving Dan Casey a starting place ahead of previous favourite Connor Taylor. And Casey grabbed his opportunity with both hands as not only did he offer an assured performance, he also marshalled the backline.

Traits that were akin to Duff during his playing days. Arguably though, it was the first time under Duff that we saw a grittier defensive performance. One that he was famed for doing with both Cheltenham and Barnsley.

But for a coach that has prided himself on these characteristics, it does appear to be a major frustration for Duff as he tries to work out his best defensive line up.

Duff epitomised a warrior like credential as a player and that has clearly influenced his managerial approach. When he first became the manager at Cheltenham Town, he took over Gary Johnson after a season of poor recruitment and with a team harmonised to a 4-4-2 formation philosophy.

He developed a focused style towards direct and quick attacks which built momentum and results. Eventually this was transitioned into his famed 3-5-2 formation, which proved to be a winning formula.

He repositioned Ben Tozer from being a midfielder into an influential centre back who proved to be a weapon with his long throws in addition to his ball playing abilities.

Two seasons later, Cheltenham gained promotion to League One and better still, he ensured that they more than starved off relegation as the unrelenting demand at being robust defensively aided the Robins at becoming one of the meanest defences in League.

It also attracted admiring glances and when Barnsley came knocking, it proved to be the right project at the right time for Duff.

With expectations merely aimed at stabilisation after a summer which saw whole sale changes, Duff defied the odds with a blend of young and hungry players mixed in with a blend of quality established players, they would finish the season as play-off finalists.

Duff’s Barnsley not only proved to have that defensive mentality (conceding only 47 goals in the process), but also a free scoring side as they scored a total of 80 goals that season, only two goals behind Champions Plymouth Argyle.

His Barnsley side was however recognised for its gritty and determined efforts to close out games. And in Danish centre back Mads Andersen, he had that influential figure.

Not only was he a commanding player who aerially offered himself in both boxes, he was also a defensive leader with an athletic build. His performances consequently earned him a move that summer to then newly promoted Premier League side Luton Town.

So Duff clearly has a good grasp of how to build a team that works hard and is disciplined in producing results. But fast forward to today, and it does appear that Duff isn’t totally convinced by the defensive players within his squad.

In his first four league games, he has maintained a consistent back line. But he has still alluded in post match interviews around the wayward approach and the continuation of unforced errors.

For the most part, he appears more settled on the left side of the defensive area. Both Dan Harvie and Taylor Allen have provide adaptable and agile cover between wing back and left sided central defensive roles.

But where question marks start to appear are with the centre back role. Connor Taylor was trusted and whilst he has shown some hallmarks towards becoming a commanding centre back, he has made obvious errors that isolate him and can lead to game defining moments.

This was highlighted in the Barnsley game where moments before the Tykes opener, a back pass by Taylor was latched onto by a Barnsley attacker with Taylor being completely oblivious to his presence. His blushes were saved by a more alert Will Norris. However moments later we all know what followed and suffice to say, that game was one to forgot for Taylor.

This then leaves me with the delicate discussion around Captain Jack Grimmer. One of the few remaining generals from the Ainsworth era, who has served the club valiantly down the years but this season has seen a roller coaster of performances in games this season.

There’s no doubt that he has his heart in the right place alongside leadership credentials, but on more than one occasion he has been far from commanding and also contributed in errors that have led to goals.

So where does Duff seek solace? With Casey’s performance against Wigan, we have potentially stumbled across a player with similar Duff like traits that can help solidify the situation. But with limited game time so far this season, the jury is firmly still out on Casey despite his impressive performance cameo.

The obvious omission from Duff is the absence of Anders Hagelskjaer. When pressed for clarification by Bucks Free Press journalist James Richings, he added: “Anders is not injured. He has been training with the group.” The ambiguous response appears to have circulated more rumours around his exclusion but in my mind, he is the obvious candidate to fill the centre back void.

His aerial presence and ball playing ability make him the prime candidate. We also have young prospect Declan Skura. A player who broke through last season and played an important role in the transitional period when Matt Bloomfield moved onto Luton.

Given the reputation of Mike Dodds with young players, I thought Skura would have been a great project for him as he aided himself as an up and coming player who had a strong grasp of playing the centre back role.

But for whatever reason, Dodds never seemed totally convinced on Skura. Not only this, but his adaptability to right back lends itself to building further agility and adaptability should Duff needs to change formation.

What’s abundantly clear though is, Duff is looking for a character with distinct discipline to play a high pressing defensive line.

This is shown in the Ben Tozer and Mads Andersen examples at his previous clubs. Even at Huddersfield, a lot of their early success (under Duff last season) was highlighted by the performances of Michal Helik before his eventual departure in January to Oxford United.

Duff wants a leader who will take on his feedback but more importantly practice what he preaches. Casey has certainly moved ahead of the pecking order, but if Hagelskjaer wants to be in the reckoning, he now needs to show his worth and be that demanding defender that most of the Chairboys fanbase believe he can be.

His early performances under Dodds showed glimpses of that. His exchanges with Allen against Exeter City at home earlier this seasin, were some of the best marauding overlaps I have seen at Adams Park from a centre back.

For what it’s worth, I’d love to see Duff experiment with Skura, Hagelskjaer and Allen as the back three in the near future. There is a mix of experience and adaptability that lends itself to becoming a formidable defensive line up.

But something tells me that unless someone forces the issue with more concise performances in training, January may well become the window for Duff to reassess this squad with like minded players that fit his vision.