BLUES chairman Ivor Beeks insists he will not lower his standards as he searches for a new manager despite Micky Adams turning the job down.

Adams was interviewed for the job last Thursday but decided to stay on coaching Nottingham Forest instead.

It is the third setback Beeks has had after favourite John Ward ruled himself out and Wrexham refused Wanderers permission to speak to Brian Flynn.

But kingmaker Beeks, who has a 50 per cent success rate in grooming unsung managers into Premiership bosses with Martin O'Neill and John Gregory, is not lowering his sights as he sifts through a massive 35 applications.

He said: "It's proving to be harder than we thought to get the right person but we mustn't compromise. You set your sights out for what you want and you've got to look around and see if you can get to that position, but it's difficult.

"We spoke to Micky Adams but he was offered a better position at Forest. He's working with Premiership players and obviously that was too great a pull for him. But there's a lot more out there."

Beeks denies that the lack of cash for new players is the reason Wycombe have not been able to get their man.

He said: "There isn't a pot of gold at the moment but I don't think that's the problem. I think the problem is that we've set our sights fairly high and I don't think there's anything wrong in that.

"We're actively looking and it's taking a bit longer than we thought. Mr Right is there somewhere, it's just a matter of finding him."

In turning Blues down, Adams said: "The people down there were very nice and I was tempted but in the end I said no and have decided to stay at Forest."

One unemployed manager who is interested in the post, but did not want to be named, said: "The fact that Micky Adams and John Ward have turned it down makes you wonder. There are obviously financial restrictions."

But director Alan Parry rejects claims that the club, which is struggling at the foot of the second division without cash to buy new players, has become a poisoned chalice.

He said: "If we made public some of the high profile names that have shown an interest in the job people would be very surprised. The shortlist is impressive in terms of ability and experience.

"There's been a huge amount of interest and the feeling is that it's better to get the right man than rush to get the wrong man."

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