Next Up: Wycombe Wanderers vs Exeter City

With the weather having put paid to City’s match against Oxford last weekend, attention turns to what is rapidly becoming the least eagerly awaited fixture of the season. The extra week off will hopefully have been a boost to City’s lengthy injury list, with the likes of Noble and Wheeler likely to be fit, if a little rusty, to play a full part should Paul Tisdale wish to change a winning side. Ryan Harley has returned to training but isn’t thought to be ready for another week or two at least.

Wycombe have once again established themselves as promotion contenders after their defeat to Southend at Wembley last season. Their ultra-cynical tactics may be unpalatable to most, but while the officials let them get away with it they will continue to be effective. However, the Chairboys’ home form has been something of a let down, perhaps a result of needing to come out and play a bit more, and Gareth Ainsworth’s side goes into Saturday’s fixture on the back of three straight defeats at home including a 1-0 reverse against Luton last weekend.

Wycombe returned to winning ways on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win at relegation threatened Dagenham and Redbridge, although it came at a cost with veteran midfielder Garry Thompson sent off meaning he is suspended. Ainsworth lost goalkeeper Matt Ingram in the transfer window but has replaced him with loanee Ryan Allsop from Bournemouth, who’ll look to keep out team mate Jayden Stockley. Wycombe’s strength is built on their defence and goals from set pieces, their top scorer is the suspended Thompson with seven goals in all competitions. The next top scorer is defender Michael Harriman with six, while no forward has scored more than three in the league.

The reverse fixture saw Wycombe display their excellent away form with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Jacobson and Thompson. It was a particularly fractious encounter at Adams Park last season with Saunders giving the hosts an early lead. Sercombe equalised fairly late on but in the 12th minute of added time Wycombe won with a penalty from Paul Hayes and sparking a particularly sarcastic press interview from Tisdale. Wycombe have a slight Football League head to head lead with five wins to City’s four (four draws).

Match Officials – http://www.exeweb.com/2016/02/11/match-officials-wycombe-wanderers-vs-exeter-city/

Last season’s encounter – http://www.grecians.co.uk/wordpress/?sp_event=4135