Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth has reiterated that the defending from his team has not been ‘good enough’ as they prepare to face Walsall in the FA Cup this weekend.
The match on Saturday will be the club’s fourth in a row at home but they have failed to win any of the previous three.
A shock 3-2 defeat against Cambridge United on October 25, followed by two frustrating 1-1 and 2-2 draws against Morecambe on October 29 and Port Vale respectively on November 1 have kept the Chairboys in midtable.
HT: Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Port Vale.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) November 1, 2022
Mehmeti's screamer gave Wanderers the lead before Wilson equalised right on the stroke of half-time. Again, poor defending in the six-yard box allowed the former United striker to score. All square.
Out of those three fixtures, Ainsworth’s men shipped four goals from set pieces, which means they have now dropped 14 points from winning positions since the start of the season.
Yet, they have only lost once in the last six.
Speaking on his side’s defensive displays, Ainsworth said: “I said to them on Tuesday that I was disappointed to concede from two set pieces because they played well and deserved more from the game.
“We’ve been saying that for the last few games and it’s not good enough.
“Ever since making the Championship, Wycombe are this team that are fancied in games so when we don’t win, it’s sometimes hard to take.
FT: Wycombe Wanderers 2-3 Cambridge United.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) October 25, 2022
For only the second time in their history, Wycombe lose at home to Cambridge. The three-game winning run comes to an end. Defending was poor, along with the refereeing performance. #Chairboys #CUFC
“People need to respect that Wycombe are on the map.
“A few years ago, a draw against Morecambe or Port Vale would have been brilliant as it would have been one more point to 50, which is another point to avoiding relegation.
“Now, it’s all about keeping in touch with the play-offs and when you say that with the teams in this league, it’s mental but we can get in there.
Simper's left-footed corner completely evaded everyone in the Wycombe box and there was Lloyd Jones to tap in from close-range. Really poor defending from Wycombe.#Chairboys #CUFC
— James Richings (@James_BFP) October 25, 2022
🔵 1-3 🟡
“Arsenal went through this when they couldn’t defend from set pieces, and this was earlier in the season yet they are top of the league.
“It’s not a major thing but I want us to be ready for the unpredictable because we’ve been good in games, but we need to be solid at set pieces.”
Right-back Jason McCarthy added: "We all have individual jobs and we know what is expected of us but we win as a team, draw as a team and lose as a team.
"We also defend as a team and attack as a team and improving at set pieces is something that we need to do collectively as a whole and we’re addressing and I know we can get this right."
After the FA Cup tie this week, Wanderers will travel to Forest Green Rovers on November 12.
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