Following Wycombe’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth at Adams Park, manager Gareth Ainsworth insists that finishing bottom of the Championship will not impact the ‘psychological strength’ of his players.
Victory over the Seasiders has given Wanderers an outside chance of avoiding the drop into League One on the final day of the season, but they will need to hope other results go their way, and that several goals are scored in their favour.
It is a tall order, but the fact that Wycombe have taken the fight for survival to the final day of the season is something that most pundits and critics would not have predicted.
Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth (PA)
They face Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on May 8, knowing that a win may not be enough to save them from relegation.
Ainsworth said: “We aim to be back in the Championship at the end of next season.
"That is what I want, that is my aim as I have had a taste for it.
“There is no way we will lose the first seven games again.
"We have learnt many lessons as our form in the second half of the season has been fantastic.
“And with the psychological strength of our players, it wouldn’t matter [if we finish bottom].
“I have challenged them to not finish bottom but if we didn’t, it wouldn’t matter, as we are that strong in the mind, and it will still be the highest position this club has every finished.
“It’s something to learn from as the boys will run through a brick wall for me and the work rate at the end was just outstanding.”
Fred Onyedinma played the full 90 minutes at Adams Park (PA)
Despite the victory, Wanderers suffered injuries to three key players in Dennis Adenrian, Jack Grimmer and Josh Knight.
Adenrian and Grimmer both came off in the first-half with Knight replacing the former, only to be substituted himself with a serious head injury in the second period.
Ainsworth continued: “They all look like they may struggle next week, but with our squad depth and at this time of year, it is showing.
“At the start of the season, we got it wrong, and I take full responsibility.
“But in the second half of the season, the players have really performed for me and we have shown people what this club is all about.”
Finally, the boss praised his opposite number in Jonathan Woodgate.
The former Leeds United, Newcastle United and Real Madrid defender became the club's manager in February, and has won 12 out of the 20 games he has taken charge of.
David Stockdale didn't have much to do when the Cherries popped into Adams Park (PA)
The Wycombe boss continued: “I think he has done a phenomenal job.
“The football club has an identity of how they want to do things and how they want to play.
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“He has got some talented players at his disposal, he’s learning his trade and he is one of the good guys.
“Good luck to him.”
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