Wycombe v Grimsby Preview

The Opposition

A series of failed promotion attempts in the past few years have meant Wycombe have taken the mantle from Lincoln as perennial play-off bottlers. However this season looks set to take a different path, as they lead the way in League Two with an impressive 49 points and only a single defeat from their 24 games. Wycombe’s stint in League Two began in 2005 when under manager John Gorman, they began the season with a 21 match unbeaten run yet still finished up in 6th place, and were beaten in the play-off semi finals by eventual winners Cheltenham. The following season began in a similar fashion, with the Chairboys winning 11 of their first 22 games. They reached the semi finals of the League Cup against Chelsea, the first leg at Adams Park finished 1-1 and left the tie delicately poised for the second leg. This did not go to plan though as a dominant and rejuvenated Chelsea ran out comfortable 4-0 winners. The cup run seemed to detract Wycombe from the league, their form faltered and a run of eleven games without a win culminated in a disappointing 12th place finish to the season. However the 2007/8 season began differently and the season took the unfamiliar shape of beginning badly and ending well. Wycombe improved after Christmas and comfortably finished in 7th place, and were to face Stockport County in the semi finals, could it be different this time? It wasn't, a narrow 2-1 aggregate defeat broke Chairboys' hearts and the familiar sinking feeling was back, manager Paul Lambert left the club and was replaced by experienced head Peter Taylor (left), who is hoped to be the man to finally lift Wycombe out of League Two and into the higher reaches of the football pyramid. An 18 game unbeaten run was ended at Aldershot, but this has not altered the winning mentality, and Town will have to be at their best to come away with anything from Adams Park on Saturday.

The summer of 2008 saw the notable signings of strikers Chris Zebroski and Magno Vieira, defender Lewis Hunt and winger Angelo Balanta on loan from QPR. All have added considerable quality and depth to an already formidable League Two side. Experienced players at this level include Tommy Docherty and Gary Holt (left). Possibly the best signing made in the summer was the acquisition of a striker the Mariners will know all about, Matt Harrold (left). The imposing front man’s appearance is likened to Prince Harry and he had a spell at Blundell Park in 2005, scoring twice during a month long loan. This season he has blossomed alongside a number of partners, scoring 10 times already. Goalkeeper Scott Shearer was signed from Bristol Rovers after helping them to promotion from League Two. His form this season has been impressive with Wycombe keeping 14 clean sheets already, thanks to Shearer himself and a settled back four including David McCracken and Mike Williamson at its heart.

Mike Williamson. The defender was signed on a free from Southampton after a successful loan spell in 2005 and has since made nearly 150 appearances for the Buckinghamshire side. His presence at the back has led to many a clean sheet for Wycombe in the past seasons, and is constantly linked with moves to higher divisions, only this week a six figure bid from Colchester was rejected. The 25 year old was named PFA player of the month for October in League Two and is regarded amongst home fans as Wycombe’s best player this season.

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Head to Head

Wycombe are Grimsby's ultimate bogey side. Town have a worse record against the Chairboys than any other team in their entire history including Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool et al.

P 15 W1 D7 L7 F12 A24

Wycombe Head-to-Head (104th on The Opposition Ladder)

Last Meeting

Grimsby 1 Wycombe 1 (Sat 11th Oct 2008)

Mike Newell's first ever game in charge of Grimsby saw Town take the lead and almost beat their bogey side, only to concede a sickening late goal.

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