Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth believes small is beautiful and says even if he was managing a club with greater resources he would be inclined to keep his squad trim.

Last season he often didn’t have enough players to fill the bench and this term he will kick off the campaign with just 19 players on his books.

And while that may be trimmer than he would wish, he says there are upsides to it.

He told the Free Press: “Having such a small squad is good for team spirit and small numbers are easier to manage.

“As a manager I have stumbled upon small squads because of the financial constraints of this club but going forward I think that is the way I would manage even if I had more resources.

“I can’t see the point in having 10 players sat in the stand every week not getting anywhere near the first team. It demoralises them.

“The best thing about signing for Wycombe Wanderers is that you are just one injury away from starting a first team game, or you are in the team and it’s up to you to keep your shirt.

“There is no distance, you are always right there.

“Every training session is first team orientated, everything you do is about Saturday’s game.

“There is no splitting the group, because we haven’t got enough numbers to do it and that’s an attraction for players because I know as a player all you want to do is play and if you come to Wycombe Wanderers you are going to play.

“We haven’t got a reserve side so everyone who comes into this 19-man squad has to be able to play League Two football and I’m quite confident they can.”

The club’s longest serving player Matt Bloomfield is also a convert having been at Wanderers in the days when the training ground was packed full of reserve and youth team players as well.

He said: “On the evidence of last season small is better. We were a small squad, very close knit and very together and that can take you a certain distance in the league as was proved last year.

“There are fewer people than there used to be here but if you are strong and together as a small group that can give you strength and it worked in our favour.

“In previous years you’ve had players who are not playing who are unhappy about not being in the team but last year we were together, all involved, and all pulling in the same direction.

“The team spirit was incredible. In years gone by you might say the team spirit was good but when you have that unique togetherness we had last year it’s very special.

“It was throughout the team, the club and even with the fans who were with us.

“It was a special blend and took us a long way and we have got to make sure we replicate that this season.”