Michael Duff has grabbed his third league win as head coach of Wycombe Wanderers against the side which he formerly led at the touchline: Huddersfield Town.
If it wasn’t for the loss against AFC Wimbledon, in which Wanderers had an equaliser controversially ruled out, this would be his eighth game unbeaten.
While we have to take it with a pinch of salt due to the fact that Huddersfield were playing with ten men for most of the match after Alfie May’s late challenge on Fred Onyedinma, the performance was easily one of the best this season, maybe even better than most of the games played under Mike Dodds, both this season and the second half of the last campaign.
Relief is definitely a word that could be used when describing the mood around the stadium come 5PM. Wanderers were looming dangerously close to the drop, and while there is a long way to go yet, with only 14 games played out of 46 so far, today was certainly a step in the right direction.
While Wycombe are still only three points above Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle who are placed in 21st and 22nd respectively, they are also only three points below Mansfield in eighth, and eight below Lincoln in sixth.
If performances were to continue on the level we saw today, what’s stopping Wycombe from sneaking into the play-off positions?
Joe Low’s return to Adams Park certainly wasn’t a warm one, with the Welsh defender leaving Wycombe after rejecting a new contract in search of a Championship move, instead opting for a move to Huddersfield Town.
Alfie May was also booed every time he was on the ball, the striker had previously scored eight goals in his last 11 outings against Wycombe, and was met with chants of ‘cheerio’ from the terrace after he was shown red.
It’s quite ironic that the man that Huddersfield sacked last season may have been the reason that his replacement will get the boot, pressure mounting on Lee Grant after the northern side have only won one out of their last five, losing three and drawing one.
Wycombe dominated against ten men, the first goal coming with 38 minutes played, Cauley Woodrow heading home from the near post to make it 1-0.
They continued to try and double their lead throughout the rest of the first 45 minutes, but a few good saves from Lee Nicholls denied them. If it wasn’t for the keeper, it definitely could have been even more embarrassment for the visitors.
Fred Onyedinma was the man who made it two, a great finish allowing Wanderers to double their lead and make the game even more comfortable.
Only five minutes later, it was three, with an own goal from substitute Daniel Vost.
Jack Grimmer almost put his name on this scoreboard a few times, most notably seeing a powerful stike tipped over by Nicholls.
Speaking after the match, Duff commented on Wycombe’s performance, saying that he believes Wycombe “can only get better” and “the players are giving me everything.”
It can only be described as a breath of fresh air compared to the last few months as a Wycombe Wanderers supporter. Even though we musn’t get ahead of ourselves, it finally looks like things seem to be turning around for the Chairboys.
Wycombe face off against Fulham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, and while we will most likely see some rotation, it’s going to be a great occasion welcoming a Premier League side to Adams Park, with the terrace nearly sold out.
