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.
A new place of work for the returning Matt Bloomfield at Wycombe 👇#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/sbkaa9pmTp
— James Richings (@James_BFP) February 23, 2023
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
I was given this by my @Bevmeister when he retired as a player, I'll have to get someone to write the dates of his managerial reign now. Good luck, Matt. We'll be shouting for you pic.twitter.com/96W6rArDHx
— Trevor #Chairboy (@TrevorHeth) February 23, 2023
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.
A photo of each year Gareth Ainsworth was at Wycombe Wanderers
— James Richings (@James_BFP) February 21, 2023
🧵#Chairboys
2009 pic.twitter.com/cSH3ELUCVq
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.
The start of a new era at Adams Park and it's fair to say that Mr Wycombe had a lot to talk about.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) February 23, 2023
Articles with Bloomfield's first chat to the press to drop shortly.#Chairboys
📸 @the__mranderson pic.twitter.com/u1gPb7uKWH
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
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here