For the first time since September 2012, there will be a new face giving out orders in the Wycombe Wanderers dugout.

Following Gareth Ainsworth’s sudden departure to Queens Park Rangers at the start of the week, ex-club captain Matt Bloomfield has been given the task of trying to persevere the season’s aim of finishing in the top six.

His first mission is to take on an in-form Shrewsbury Town side this weekend, as Steve Cotterill’s team sit eight points off the play-offs.

It will be an interesting weekend in Shropshire, and here is everything you need to know for Shrewsbury Town vs Wycombe Wanderers.

Current Form and Background on Shrewsbury Town

It could be said that Shrewsbury Town’s push for the League One play-off places is one of the season’s biggest surprises.

Since returning to the third tier of English football in 2015, the Salops have finished 15th or lower in six of their last seven seasons in League One.

The only time they secured a top-half finish was in the 2017/18 campaign, when they secured third place – the highest-ever league standings in their history.

READ MORE: 'That sums football up' - Wycombe's Matt Bloomfield on his 'rollercoaster' week

Ending the campaign with 87 points, they defeated Charlton Athletic in the play-off semi-finals before taking on Rotherham United in the Wembley showpiece.

They would go on to lose the final 2-1 in extra time.

Five years on, it looks like Shrews are aiming to upset the applecart once more, as they go into their fixture against Wycombe this weekend on a terrific run of form.

They have picked up 18 points from their last 24 which included a six-game winning run.

They also scored 16 goals during that time, but have not won in their last two matches (losing one and drawing one).

Current Form and Background on Wycombe Wanderers

Matt Bloomfield has inherited a team that are enjoying a fine start to 2023.

Since January 1, Wycombe have won six of their seven games which includes a five-match winning streak.

Victories over promotion-pushing Peterborough United, Derby County, and Bolton Wanderers have also been enjoyed during this purple patch, as Wanderers are one of the in-form teams in the division.

READ MORE: Alan Parry's Previews: A new chapter for Wycombe as we enter the business end

The Chairboys have also only let in just three goals in those seven games matches.

This will be Matt Bloomfield’s first game in charge and it is up against a side he only lost once to in his career.

In 13 career matches against Shrewsbury, the midfielder won five, drew seven, and lost just once.

The solitary defeat at the hands of the Shrews was in March 2019, when two late goals saw the Shropshire side come back to win 2-1 at the New Meadow.

Last Five Meetings

2022/23: Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Shrewsbury Town

2021/22: Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Shrewsbury Town

2021/22: Shrewsbury Town 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers

2019/20: Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Shrewsbury Town

2018/19: Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers

Away Record against Shrewsbury Town

Games: 12

Wycombe wins: Five

READ MORE: Wycombe boss Matt Bloomfield on returning to Wanderers and leaving Colchester

Draws: Five

Shrewsbury wins: Two

Overall Record Against Shrewsbury Town

Games: 30

Wycombe wins: 12

READ MORE: 'This is tough' - Watch the moment Gareth Ainsworth said goodbye to Wycombe Wanderers

Draws: 14

Shrewsbury wins: Four

Miscellaneous

  • Despite only defeating Wycombe four times in 30 matches since October 1993, Shrewsbury are unbeaten in their last two games against Wycombe (0-0 draw and a 2-1 win)
  • The referee for the match is Carl Brook
  • He has only officiated one Wycombe match in his career and that was in the 1-0 loss against Plymouth Argyle on December 29
  • This was the fixture when Tjay De Barr collapsed after the clash had ended at Home Park
  • His assistants are Oliver Bickle and Lee Freeman, whilst the fourth official is Christopher Ward
  • If he scores, Lewis Wing will be Wanderers’ joint top-scorer this season
  • He is currently on eight goals, one behind Anis Mehmeti who bagged nine for Wycombe before his move to Bristol City
  • Wycombe’s last clean sheet away at Shrewsbury was in 2014