Wycombe Wanderers manager Matt Bloomfield has revealed why he opted to make four changes to his starting line-up in their 2-1 away victory over Cambridge United.
Jason McCarthy, Chem Campbell, Tjay De Barr and Brandon Hanlan were all dropped to the substitutes bench, whilst Ryan Tafazolli, Garath McCleary, Nick Freeman, and Sam Vokes came in.
Tonight's team news!
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) April 18, 2023
⬅️ Hanlan, McCarthy, Campbell and De Barr drop to the bench
➡️ Tafazolli, Vokes, McCleary and Freeman come in to the starting XI
Let's go!#CAMvWYC pic.twitter.com/Dsd3ldfCMp
The alterations were made following Saturday’s shock 1-0 away defeat against Morecambe, who earned their first victory in 10 games.
READ MORE: Wycombe's play-off push continues following a hard-fought 2-1 win over Cambridge
Bloomfield told the press: “It was necessary to make the [four] changes after a disappointing trip north to Morecambe.
"I was happy with the performance, but not the result on Saturday, so I thought it was important to freshen it up.
"Having Garath and Sam back in the starting 11 are big, and I felt it was the right thing to do, and I was really pleased with the way Nick played too.
1⃣ Stryek
— James Richings (@James_BFP) April 18, 2023
2⃣ Grimmer
5⃣ Forino
6⃣ Tafazolli
3⃣ Jacobson
2⃣8⃣ Scowen
7⃣ Wheeler
1⃣0⃣ Wing
2⃣2⃣ Freeman
1⃣2⃣ McCleary
9⃣ Vokes#CUFC #Chairboys
"I think he’s been unlucky that he hasn’t started more because whenever he has played, he’s been brilliant.
"Against Fleetwood, Burton, and Charlton, he was excellent, and he was excellent again tonight.”
The victory was the 39-year-old’s fourth in 12 games since taking over from Gareth Ainsworth two months ago, as the Chairboys now sit four points off the play-off places with three games remaining.
When asked how many points Wanderers would need from their last nine available, Bloomfield admitted he doesn’t know the exact number to help Wycombe secure a top six finish, but did say the unpredictability of the Chairboys’ rivals dropping points could play a factor.
Four changes for the Chairboys following the defeat at Morecambe.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) April 18, 2023
Thoughts? https://t.co/7zKYAQCkdJ
He told the Free Press: “ Who knows how many points we need.
READ MORE: Sam stays - Wycombe Wanderers confirm striker Vokes signs new contract
“It’s hard to predict as we don’t know what could happen – there are always a couple of results that nobody would have expected.
“All I know is that we need to take each game at a time and get in the play-offs.”
Up next for Wycombe is Lincoln City at home this Saturday [April 22].
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