Emotional Ainsworth hails his warriors after Plymouth point (From Bucks Free Press)

Emotional Ainsworth hails his warriors after Plymouth point

11:14am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Sport

EMOTIONAL Gareth Ainsworth was full of praise for his Wanderers warriors after they battled to a deserved 1-1 draw with Plymouth last night.

The Blues caretaker boss led by example, teeing up Matt McClure for his first goal at Adams Park, as Wycombe bounced back from Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Dagenham to put a precious point on the board.

The 39-year-old limped off after 77 minutes to a standing ovation and admits his first game in charge in front of home support, coupled with the commitment and togetherness of his men, left a lump in his throat.

He said: “I’ve always said I’ll never hide feelings and to say there was emotion in my voice talking to the boys in the huddle on the pitch and in the dressing room would be an understatement.

“They know what they mean to me now. I said before the game ‘let’s start today’ and that is the best performance I’ve seen at Adams Park for many a day and that’s no disrespect to anyone in the past.

“I know why it is, it’s what I do and my standards - they’ve set their standards now. I’m so proud, I couldn’t be prouder. We had an 18-year-old on the pitch at the end and he’s given as much as the 40-year-old.

“It was an amazing performance by the lads but we can’t get too carried away, we didn’t win but I think it’s a step in the right direction.”

Ainsworth thanked the 2,667 Blues fans for roaring on their team on a dreary Tuesday night and promised them that, while he is manager, the players would not be allowed to give anything less than 100 percent.

He said: “When you’re a sub or left out, you can get the hump, but not one of them. Dave Winfield, Anthony Stewart and Olly Taylor didn’t even get on but they were as pumped as anyone at the end.

“That’s how I want it to be and how it will be while I’ve got the reins at Wycombe. When Matty scored it was a fantastic feeling, the whole team celebrated.

“I said thanks to fans that stayed behind on Saturday, it takes a lot to do that after a defeat, but the noise tonight was great. I’ve not heard that at the end of a Wycombe game for a while. The fans know how much we put in.

“I’ve got Leon Johnson with stitches in his lip, Gary Doherty with stitches in his head; it was a warrior’s performance. I’m so proud of them and thank you to the fans.”