Best Of

I have been unusually tied up with work these past few days so haven’t really had chance to contribute to the discussions.

Reading back through most of the comments I am reminded what a (generally) respectful community exists on this site as there have been some very strong and real emotions expressed and although these have been occasionally questioned very little has been dismissed completely out of hand.

Of course there will be differences in opinions and theories as to why a popular manager should choose to leave, for a ‘better’ club (that hurts to say but I do get that logic from @flymofrank’s arguments) halfway through a highly successful season.

For some it is easy to see as ‘just football’ and in the absence of any concrete evidence to the contrary I am envious of them. I really wish I could see what they see and just move on.

For those supporters, Wycombe Wanderers FC are fast-forwarding to a place where we can (apparently) pay €1 million euros for a midfielder few of us knew existed a week or so and can realistically dream of playing Championship football in the relatively near future.

It must be incredibly exciting for them to support Wycombe Wanderers FC at this pivotal moment in our 141 year (or 138 if you prefer*) history.

I really, really wish I could feel like that about our club at the moment.

But I can’t.

For me, a lot of things that mattered to me about supporting the club - the values, the culture of the last few years, the community essence of Wycombe Wanderers have seemingly been allowed to dissipate in a very short period and for me that hurts inside.

I do get that with a billionaire owner its pretty inevitable that’s what we are going to get and perhaps the pay off (a successful Championship level - give or take - team and a cracking Academy) will make it feel worthwhile.

But at the moment I feel as detached from what I always considered as ‘my’ club as I have ever done.

When we were under Hayes ownership I felt similar until the shock of Torquay reminded me that the existence of the club itself meant more to me than whoever happened to be paying (or not paying) the bills.

On a counter-argument though I am reminded of the schism that happened within the club in the later Loakes Park years between the more traditional board members who wanted financial stability and steady progression and those who believed now was the time to speculate to propel us forward. The latter won the argument leading to some of our greatest years so perhaps I’m just the wrong side of history.

I hope so.

Regardless, I will be at Mansfield hoping for three points (albeit expecting to lose 2-0).

For those of you who have read this far apologies for taking up your time. Writing it was a little cathartic and my thanks to everyone who makes this site such a safe space that I feel comfortable venting at such length.

*That debate we had on here a week or so ago over whether we formed in 1884 or 1887 now feels like it happened in a different lifetime/timeline.

Is JJ in the know?

From that interview JJ seems to be on the same page as many of us here, referencing the number of times Matt stressed "being wanted" as a major factor

I know locality is a factor but we all look for something in our team that separates us from the norm especially those of us who are more recent arrivees. If spending big to ensure great success, get parity with the 'big boys' and head to VAR land is the thing most people want, I fear we risk losing some of the qualities that made Wycombe exciting. Obviously, I will forget all of that once we have assembled a multi-million pound squad under a unassuming, taciturn manager getting players from a spreadsheet but at the moment it still feels a bit sad.

Fair point - and I don't think anyone in football is ignoring data completely. But I don't think data darlings say things like "possession can do one". I'd still place them nearer the other end of the spectrum - even in recruitment, I think they looked for characters first (sometimes out of necessity, but not always) and valued intangibles to a massive degree.

I think GA and Dobbo are two of the greatest motivators and culture creators in the game, but I agree I should not hammer that point until it reduces their tactical acumen to shouting "Up and at 'em!" from the sidelines! 😁

When he says "I've read the statement" he may as well have added "and it's total bullshit"

That's how I read it anyway

I largely agree with all of this, but more respect for Ainsworth is needed I think. I don't think his Wycombe team were "the antithesis of data driven" at all. In fact, Gaz and Dobbo weren't stupid and they used data a lot. They just prioritised different data points. In particular we always focused on ball-speed (i.e. how fast we could get the ball up the pitch). That's arguably one of the most important

Great post - I believe he has the highest win % in Wycombe history too (at least in the league era).

With so many posters claiming to have friends working on the inside, I’m surprised we don’t know who the new manager is and when he’s coming in. I’m a bit disappointed.

Ignore for a moment Matt's playing history with the club and just look at what he has done as a manager in the almost two years he's had.

1) Completely changed the playing style from that under GA

2) Shown the ability to adapt his style when it wasn't working last season

3) Taken us to a position where we have a chance of automatic promotion this year

4) Taken us to a Wembley final

5) Taken us to the fourth round of the FA Cup for only the 4th time in our history

And yet the club allow a situation to develop where another club, albeit in a higher division, are able to tempt him away without so much as a hint of a fight from the hierarchy.

Now try telling me Dan Rice wanted Matt to stay, whatever happens this season is on him (Dan) now. As for trying to say the club are disappointed that Matt chose to leave... that's billocks - and we can all it's see it is. Dan was quite happy for Matt to leave.