Wycombe Wanderers manager Matt Bloomfield believes the club’s 3-2 win over Fulham U21 in the EFL Trophy will help with the club’s confidence.
A double from Dale Taylor, which were his first strikes in 10 matches, along with a brilliant half-volley by Chris Forino, gave the Chairboys their first win in four matches as they progressed into the round of 16 stage for the first time in seven years.
The club have still only won three of their last 11, with those victories all coming in cup competitions, but the manager believes that the win will help the club going forward.
He told the Free Press: “It was so important to get that win, especially for the group.
FT: Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 Fulham U21.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) December 5, 2023
A much-needed win at Adams Park as a double from Dale Taylor and a great strike from Chris Forino send Wanderers through to the round of 16 in the EFL Trophy.#Chairboys
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield on the two Taylors - Dale's performance and Lyle's injury
“As you can see, we were getting slightly edgy at the end as the boys had been desperate to get that win.
“We really wanted a positive result, and I could feel the atmosphere in the changing room before the game as the noise levels were up, and a part of that was having the likes of Jack Grimmer, Joe Jacobson, Richard Keogh and Luke Leahy back.
“Them being back was a huge plus for us.
“There was a lot of emphasis on training on Monday after the Morecambe game, as we didn’t go forward enough on Saturday – there were too many sideways passes.
“We didn’t punish Morecambe when they were out of shape, so we wanted everyone to play forward against Fulham which is what we did.”
READ MORE: Wycombe Wanderers defeat PL development side to progress in the EFL Trophy
More cup action at Adams Park tonight as the Fulham U21s come to town in the #EFLTrophy.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) December 5, 2023
How do you see it going?#Chairboys
“There was more excitement, we put it to Fulham as there were several flashes across the box, we had shots on goal, and I was thinking this was more like us.
“I will admit it was disappointing to concede two, albeit the second one was fortuitous being a deflection from the cross.
“We should have had a bigger cushion than what we did, as we missed some good chances.
A 🍬 strike from @DaleTaylor92 to set @wwfcofficial on their way. #EFL | #BristolStreetMotorsTrophy pic.twitter.com/jPGwSGmg07
— Bristol Street Motors Trophy (@BSM_Trophy) December 6, 2023
“I would like to have been further ahead if I’m honest on the balance of play, but when it’s 3-2 with a few minutes to go., you’ve got to defend.”
Wycombe have never won the competition but did reach the semi-finals in 2017.
They would lose the match to Coventry City, who would go on to beat Thames Valley rivals Oxford United in the final.
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