The S24 Preview: Wycombe Wanderers v Southend United

06 May 2011 12:38
It's the final Shrimpers league match of the season against the promotion chasing Chairboys on Saturday, May 7th, kick-off 15.00. Are you planning to to party, will we spoil there's? v SHRIMPERSSo to the final curtain then, and with a chance of a top ten finish, though we'd have to probably get five or six without reply so let's say top half, we should be going all out for a win against a strong Wycombe side and spoil their promotion party, not that I want Shrewsbury to go up that much.Injury and suspensions pop up again to sum up Luggy's season where he has still done far better than expected.Welcome back left-back Peter Gilbert but the bench should be the best place for him for now until next August.I'm keeping Anthony Grant and 21-goal Barry Corr in, but it looks bad for Snoop Dog with no training this week, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see Alex Woodyard start with Lee Sawyer suspended.The rest of the team should pick itself.Looking forward to it, some good drinking to be done before hand, and hopefully the weather, which may be on the turn, will not be too bad, so we can have a bit of a laugh, possibily at the Chairboy's expense.However, we could be a touch light in places against a strong home squad, I'll settle for a 1-1 draw that will at least keep the home support nervous! Enjoy the day! Possible Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Mohsni, Barker, Prosser, Ferdinand, Grant or Woodyard, Easton, Hall, Sturrock, Corr. Subs: Evans, Butler, Coughlan, Woodyard or Comminges, Soares, Crawford, Asante. COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!OPPOSITIONChairboys boss Garry Waddock could have as close to a full squad available on the day as possible as his side look for the three points that will gain them promotion.They've timed their run brilliantly and are on a nune game unbeaten run since losing to Stevenage at home 1-0 on March 12th, picking up 17 points in that time!Forwards Stuart Beavon, Matt McLure and Jon-Paul Pittman and veteran defender Chris Westwood have all trained this week, but it looks likely Waddock will stick to the side that beat Bury brilliantly 3-1 at Gigg Lane last week (report below), as with Scott Rendell and Ben Strevens he has two of the in-form strikers of the division.Certainly back though are skipper Gareth Ainsworth, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, while left-back Andy Sandell is fit after a knee problemPlayer to watchYes, the former Shrimpers wideboy obviously likes it in leafy Buckinghamshire as he's in the second spell at the club and has scored six goals in all competitions for the Chairboys this season, third behind Scott Rendell who has fifteen and is their penalty taker, but Kevin has also recorded seven assists. No Ryan Hall then, but has to be watched.More info on Kevin here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_BetsyScott Rendall; the top scoring ChairboyLast time OutHome - Wycombe Wanderers 2 Crewe Alexandra 0 (played on Monday April 25th, 2011.)Report: www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10430~52492,00.htmlAway - Bury 1 Wycombe Wanderers 3 (played on Saturday, April 30th, 2011.)Report: www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10430~52523,00.htmlBeeb highlights: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13174163.stmLet's party and spoil the party1[P] Chesterfield45153456308114262023148825083+322[P] Bury451166352312554424231111794780+323Wycombe Wanderers451165352410853125211410664977+174Shrewsbury Town451093331811483631211311694976+205Accrington Stanley45155353243136193018189725472+186Torquay United451085362271053728171810735068+237Stevenage459103342194102521181413594268+178Gillingham451076292471053730171711665468+129Port Vale45117532226792226171414544865+6PREVIOUSLYAt Wycombe Wdrs. (3)At Southend Utd. (5)ResultsTotal%ResultsTotal%Wycombe Wdrs.133.33Southend Utd.120.00Southend Utd.133.33Wycombe Wdrs.360.00Draws133.33Draws120.00GoalsTotalAv.pgGoalsTotalAv.pgWycombe Wdrs.51.67Southend Utd.61.20Southend Utd.31.00Wycombe Wdrs.81.60On Neutral Ground (0)Overall (8 matches)ResultsTotal%ResultsTotal%Wycombe Wdrs.00.00Wycombe Wdrs.450.00Southend Utd.00.00Southend Utd.225.00Draws00.00Draws225.00GoalsTotalAv.pgGoalsTotalAv.pgWycombe Wdrs.00.00Wycombe Wdrs.131.63Southend Utd.00.00Southend Utd.91.13RecordsHighest Aggregate5Southend Utd. 3 - 2Wycombe Wdrs.2010/2011 Highest Wycombe Wdrs. score:4Wycombe Wdrs. 4 - 1Southend Utd.1997/1998 Highest Southend Utd. score:3Southend Utd. 3 - 2Wycombe Wdrs.2010/2011 SeasonDateHomeScoreAwayCompetition2010/2011Tue 15 FebSouthend Utd.3 - 2Wycombe Wdrs.League Two 2009/2010Sat 23 JanSouthend Utd.1 - 1Wycombe Wdrs.League One Tue 18 AugWycombe Wdrs.1 - 1Southend Utd.League One 2004/2005Sun 26 DecWycombe Wdrs.0 - 1Southend Utd.League Two Sat 11 SepSouthend Utd.1 - 2Wycombe Wdrs.League Two 1997/1998Sun 28 DecSouthend Utd.1 - 2Wycombe Wdrs.League Division Two Tue 09 DecSouthend Utd.0 - 1Wycombe Wdrs.(Associate Members) Tue 02 SepWycombe Wdrs.4 - 1Southend Utd.League Division Two GROUND On one side of the ground is the impressive looking Frank Adams Stand, opened in 1996. This was named in memory of the man who originally donated to the club their previous ground at Loakes Park. It is a large two tiered stand, complete with a row of executive boxes and it dwarfs the rest of the stadium. The other three stands are smaller affairs, but are at least all covered. Only the Hypnos Valley Stand at the home end remains as terracing. Opposite is the Dreams Stand, housing away supporters, a medium sized single tiered stand, with windshields to either side. Along the other side of the ground is the Bucks New University Main Stand. This single tiered stand has a raised seating area, meaning that fans access it by climbing a small set of stairs in front of it. There is a large video screen situated in one corner of the stadium, between the Dreams & Bucks New University Stands.As the local council have stipulated that the capacity of Adams Park cannot rise above 10,000, the additional seats have meant that certain areas of terracing, such as the paddock area of the Bucks New University Stand, have been made 'out of bounds' to fans'. The ground is currently shared with Wasps Rugby Club (takes you to the Wasps Rugby Club website). The Club are exploring the possibility of moving to a new stadium, on the current Sports Centre site (next to Junction 4 of the M4O). The 15,000 capacity stadium would be home to both Wycombe Wanderers and Wasps Rugby Football Club and would still retain a terraced area. Talks are ongoing with the local Council as to the feasibility of this scheme.Away fans are mostly located at one end of the ground in the Dreams Stand, where just over 2,000 supporters can be accomodated. The club has a relaxed feel about it, though how relaxed if we win by a last minute dodgy penalty when Shrewsbury are already one up we may find out!Adams Park is situated in a nice setting with a wooded hill looking over the ground, (this normally has a small contingent of supporters watching the game for nothing), and with green fields surrounding the other sides. (Thanks to www.footballgroundguide.com for stadium information.) TICKETSIf you haven't bought you're ticket yet YOU CAN STILL PURCHASE ONE ON THE DAY AT THE DREAM STANDS TURNSTILES.Full cost details here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw9/wycombe_wanderers_tickets_673553/index.shtmlWEATHERWarm at 20c's but heavy cloud and maybe some light rain. REF The man in the middle is Neil Swarbrick from Lancashire, who has issued 6 reds and 99 yellow cards in 38 games this season, so what odds on hitting the ton!A full interview with him here: http://refworld.com/referee/174/1/neil-swarbrick. His assistants are Adam Nunn and Andrew Bennett; The fourth official is Steve Rushton. FIXTURESLeague TwoSaturday, May 7th: (all kick-offs 15.00): Barnet v Port Vale, Bradford City v Crewe, Burton Albion v Accrington Stanley, Chesterfield v Gillingham, Lincoln City v Aldershot, Macclesfield v Hereford, Morecambe v Northampton, Rotherham Utd. v Torquay Utd., Shrewsbury v Oxford Utd, Stevenage v Bury, Stockport County v Cheltenham, Wycombe Wanderers v Southend Utd.BETWycombe (to win) - 1/2, Draw - 7/2, Southend (to win) - 6!Blimey, sixes, in a two-horse race, on a nine match unbeaten run, ridiculous, might a fiver on that!For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-two/TRANSPORTBy Train go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw5/wycombe_wanderers_647495/index.shtmlBy Car go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw7/wycombe_wanderers_673560/index.shtmlBy Coach go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw3/wycombe_wanderers_673554/index.shtmlPUB AND PIESFor the best drinking around the ground and in the town go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw8/back_the_bootlegger_pub_crawl_in_wycombe_674873/index.shtmlSOMEWHERE TO LAY YOUR HATFor an overnight stay: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw1/wycombe_wanderers_675064/index.shtmlHISTORYThe club was founded in 1887 by a group of furniture-makers, and settled at Loakes Park in High Wycombe in 1895. From 1896 they played in the Southern League, but had little success in a league dominated by professional teams. They moved to the Great Western Suburban League in 1908 and to the Spartan League after the First World War. After winning the Spartan League they joined the Isthmian League in 1921. Although they won the FA Amateur Cup in 1931 it would be 1956 before they won the first of eight Isthmian League titles. Wycombe Wanderers famous navy and light-blue quartered kit is described as Oxford and Cambridge Blue in their early days, although the club had no connection with the Universities, the players being local working men. The two blues have also been attributed to the town colours of High Wycombe. Wycombe Wanderers have used variations of their famous quartered kit, but due to supporter pressure, have left their football strip largely unchanged since 1996-97.The club's average league attendance was 5,109 in the 2008/09 season. There are two elected fan representatives on the club board, one from each of the two former Supporters Trusts, which have now combinedYou gotta love 'em as Wycombe's main rivals are considered to be Colchester United. Whilst not a local rivalry, there is a history between the two clubs going back to the 1985/86 season, when Wycombe, then a non-league club, defeated Colchester 2-0 in an FA Cup tie marred by crowd trouble at Loakes Park.Colchester and Wycombe were also involved in a two-horse race for the Conference title throughout the 1991/92 season, during which Colchester defeated Wycombe 2-1 at Adams Park with an injury-time wind-assisted winner from their goalkeeper, Scott Barrett.Another controversial meeting was during the 1998/99 season. Relegation-threatened Wycombe were leading Colchester 2-1 at Adams Park until the ninth minute of stoppage time, when Colchester were awarded, and converted, an equalising penalty.The 2008/09 season started well for Wycombe, with them embarking on an 18 match unbeaten run in the league, from the start of the season until December 6th when this was ended by Aldershot Town, who beat Wycombe 3-2. Wycombe's unbeaten home record in the league was ended by Grimsby Town, when the 'table toppers' were beaten 1-0.On the last day of the season they managed to get promoted, even though they lost and the teams either side of them (before the last match was played) in the league table won. The 4th place team, Bury F.C., had the same amounts of points as Wycombe but 1 less goal difference. At a press conference on 29 May 2008 former Shrimpers player and manager Peter Taylor was announced as Wycombe's new boss.The 2008/09 season started well for Wycombe, with them embarking on an 18 match unbeaten run in the league, from the start of the season until 6 December when this was ended by Aldershot Town, who beat Wycombe 3-2. Wycombe's unbeaten home record in the league was ended by Grimsby Town, which saw the 'table toppers' beaten 1-0 by the strugglers, which was only Grimsby's 3rd win of the campaign so far.On the last day of the season they managed to get promoted, even though they lost and the teams either side of them (before the last match was played) in the league table won. The 4th place team, Bury, had the same amounts of points as Wycombe but 1 less goal difference.Wycombe had a disappointing start to 2009/10 and after picking up just six points from their first 11 games, they parted company with manager Taylor.Wycombe appointed Gary Waddock from Aldershot Town to become the new manager with his first game being a 1-1 draw against rivals Colchester United. Waddock made major changes to the playing staff in January 2010, but an upturn in results came too late and Wycombe were relegated back to League 2 after a 2-0 loss against Leyton Orient on 1 May 2010.However, only eight months later, and two years after their last promotion, they stand a last day win from going up again, will the Shrimpers play party poopers! (For a full history of the club go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wycombe_Wanderers_F.C.)

Source: FOOTYMAD