After an apparently spirited effort against Lincoln on our travels, we return to Oakwell where results have been much less forthcoming. We're 10/11 favourites to gain the points against an out of sorts Wycombe side, who's overall league form sees them without a win in 6, albeit after a tough run of fixtures. They're 3/1 at present to repeat their victory at Oakwell last season. The Chairboys are currently 13th in the league, and 6 points behind us having experienced very inconsistent form so far this season. Despite their overall form being poor, they're actually unbeaten in their last 3 away from home in the league, with a victory at Fleetwood, and back to back 2-2 draws with Peterborough and Oxford. A heavy defeat away at Lincoln back in August has been a particular low point of their season. At Oakwell, Wycombe's victory last season was their first ever away to the reds, albeit it's just 21 years since our first ever meeting. Of the previous 4, we'd won the last 2 and drawn the first 2. We've won 5 of the 10 meetings between the two sides, losing just twice. Callum Styles, Cauley Woodrow (x3) and Rory Fallon are the only former reds goalscorers on home soil vs Wycombe Wanderers. Experienced Lincolnshire referee, Darren Drysdale takes charge of this one. He's issued 47 yellow cards and 1 red in 12 games so far this season. He first refereed a reds game all the way back in 2004, where 2 goals in injury time game Oldham a 3-2 victory over the reds at Boundary Park. More recently, he took charge of Barnsley's 3-0 home win over Bristol Rovers early last season, with all 3 bookings that day for visiting players. 3 current players, Devante Cole, Jordan Williams and Josh Benson were on the scoresheet that day. His last Wycombe appointment was a few weeks later, when the Blues triumphed by a goal to nil at home to Accrington Stanley; notably from this game, ex red Josh Scowen (unsurprisingly) was the only booking for the host, and ex full back Jason McCarthy (more surprisingly) was the winning goalscorer. Given the changeable form of both sides coming into this one, I think it could be a poor game. Luca Connell gives us a lift, and as he gets back to fitness, I do think we'll improve. Collins does need to be a little less erratic with his substitutions when we get our noses in front, so there's certainly lessons to be learnt. It's a tough one to predict, but I'm going for 2-0 Barnsley, with Cole and Cadden on the scor esheet.
Good write up as always Archey. can’t believe we’re odds on, we’re so poor at them moment. I’m going for a 3-1 defeat and the crowd turning on Collins. Either way I won’t be there. My son’s training is now Tuesday nights so I gave him the choice and he said he’d rather go there. Under different circumstances I would get his mum to take him but to be honest I’d rather watch the kids, far more joy in at the moment to be honest.
I soooo want to think it'll all come together for this one. Same thing I think every game It all depends whether the players listen to Collins or just do their own thing and play to the side's strengths. Do the latter and I think we'll be okay. A workmanlike 2-0 without really setting anyone's pulses racing. Cole and Phillips late on.
I fancy us to win this 2-1 in a ‘battle’ of a game. Sounds like Cosgrove and Luca added some fire to the team at Lincoln. Hopefully a turning point to a run of better results
0-2 - dour performance under the lights. Wycombe are usually an aggressive, physical side, we're too lightweight for them. Whilst Cole has bagged a fair few this year, his actual hold-up play and touch is dire, nothing sticks up there. I believe we'll get "old manned" tomorrow.
Hard one to call. If it was on Saturday and Luca Connell had rested for a week, I'd be confident of a comfortable victory. As it is, I'm less sure. Even if Connell doesn't play or is jaded from Saturday, I'm leaning towards a narrow 2-1 win, though a disappointing draw wouldn't surprise me. If he continues like he played at Lincoln, I think we'll coast to a 3-0 win.