Gareth Ainsworth believes that his side’s 1-0 win over Reading on Tuesday was ‘fantastic’, as Wycombe aim to avoid relegation back down to League One.
Fred Onyedinma’s goal in the second-half settled the points for Wanderers, despite the Chairboys having a man sent-off in Ryan Tafazolli and with Uche Ikpeazu missing a penalty for the home side.
Garath McCleary played for Reading for eight years
Tough game against a good side. Game management at 10 men was superb. Overly pumped today, yet good to see some friendly faces @ReadingFC . Hopefully it can springboard us with 15 huge games left @wwfcofficial 💙 pic.twitter.com/NCBeP3ANrD
— Garath McCleary (@gmccleary12) February 23, 2021
Lucas Joao, Reading’s top goalscorer with 20 goals, also missed a spot-kick during the entertaining match at Adams Park.
The win was Wycombe’s first at home in the league this calendar year and their first over Reading in 22 years.
Speaking after the victory, Ainsworth said: “People have said that we should be no way near the Championship and when you look at the size of the club, they are correct.
“But, this club is building towards a Championship team and I cannot thank the Couhig's enough as they have backed me throughout.
The moment Fred gave us the three points (Prime Media)
“The boys all think we can stay in this league and I cannot ask for more as a manager.
“It was a great result for us against a fantastic Reading side, and we have got to take so much confidence from this and start to believe what I have been saying all season.
“A [good] performance is what I want, and I have said that for the eight years as I am very performance-based as they will get you results.
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“As long as we keep doing that, we will get what we deserve.”
The win, coupled with defeats for Birmingham City and Rotherham United respectively, mean the club are now only eight points away from safety with 15 matches remaining.
And after their match against the league leaders in Norwich City on Sunday, the Chairboys will have three consecutive away games versus Watford, Stoke, and Queens Park Rangers – three teams who were playing Premier League football just six years ago.
But the manager is confident that with the Reading win under their belt, this could start a run of positive results for Wanderers.
He continued: “Of course you think, ‘it is going to be tough now’ with 10 men against a Championship side, so it was important that I kept my head straight about what I wanted to do as we went to a five at the back and kept the three in midfield.
Jordan Obita was playing against his old side (Prime Media)
“That left us with one up top but Uche was fantastic yet again, and when Admiral Muskwe came on, he saw the game out with his intelligence and with Jason McCarthy coming on as wing-back.
“I have got Akinfenwa, who is not even in the squad, shouting louder than anyone in the stands, and for me, that is Wycombe and that is what we are as we are together.”
Wanderers’ next home match after the Norwich game on February 28 is against Preston North End on March 13.
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