We play our second away game of the week as we make the trip to Adams Park to take on Wycombe Wanderers.
Jon Brady’s side comes into Saturday’s game following a 1-0 away defeat at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday. An Eli Campbell own goal in the first half was all that separated the two sides.
Post Doncaster Thoughts
Here’s what the boss had to say about Tuesday’s defeat:
“The game lacked any quality for both teams, and we gifted them the goal.”
Press Conference Takeaways
The gaffer gave his thoughts regarding the trip to Wycombe:
“Michael has gone in there and made them a better footballing team, a more fluid team. We know it’ll be a really tough game."
Our Opponents
The Buckinghamshire-based outfit has been in League One since their relegation from the Championship in 2021. Their spell in the second tier was a short one, as they only spent one season in the division before returning to League One. The Chairboys came agonisingly close to avoiding relegation that season, finishing one point behind Derby County.
Wycombe did reach the play-offs last season, but fell short against Charlton Athletic, who would eventually go on to gain promotion to the Championship.
Saturdays hosts currently sit in 10th position in the league. They had a poor start to the season, not managing to win their first league game until early September when they beat Mansfield.
Since then, Michael Duff's side have been fairly consistent and have managed to put themselves four points outside of the play-off places. Wycombe come into Saturday’s game off the back of a 2-0 defeat away to Leyton Orient last weekend.
The Opposition Dugout
Michael Duff was appointed manager of Wycombe in mid-September following the sacking of Mike Dodds after only seven months in charge. Since his appointment, Duff has won eighteen of his thirty-eight matches, achieving a win rate of 47%. Prior to his current job, the Northern Irish man had spells at Huddersfield, Swansea, Barnsley and Cheltenham.
Before Michael became a manager, he had a playing career that lasted over twenty years, making over 400 appearances with the majority of those coming with Burnley. During his time at the Clarets, the former centre-back won the Championship and then went on to make 32 appearances in the Premier League. He also made 24 appearances for his country.
Player to Watch
A player for the travelling Valiants to be aware of central defender Dan Casey. Dan has been one of Wycombe’s most important players this season following his arrival from Motherwell last summer. Casey hasn’t just been important in defence, but the Irishman has contributed with three goals and an assist this campaign.
Fixture Throwback
Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Port Vale, 3rd March 2001.
The Valiants haven’t had much luck when visiting Wycombe in recent seasons, only picking up one win in ten attempts, which came back in 2001.
The only goal of the game came through Stephen Brooker in the 57th minute to send the travelling Vale faithful home happy.