Football Season Guide

It has been a difficult summer for the Chairboys having missed out on a place in the play-offs last season. They finished 9th in the League Two table, missing out on the play-offs by just a single point. Despite that, manager Gareth Ainsworth seemed to be satisfied with his sides' showing. That has been illustrated by his lack of activity in the transfer market over the summer and at the time of writing he has made just two additions to his squad with experienced defender Adam El-Abd joining from Shrewsbury Town and Nathan Tyson returning to the club for his second spell after eleven years away, following a successful trial. Ainsworth would argue that he already has a strong squad in place but that is debatable and it looks in need of strengthening especially after suffering the expected blow of losing influential defender Aaron Pierre. He had been the mainstay of the side for the last three seasons and rejected the offer of a new deal to sign for Northampton Town. Winger, Myles Weston, was also allowed to leave to join Ebbsfleet United for family reasons whilst striker Scott Kashket has been struggling with a hip injury for most of the year and looks set to miss the start of the season. The onus for goals will therefore remain on talismanic striker, Adebayo Akinfenwa, who enjoyed a tremendous last season as he finished as leading goalscorer and player of the year. Goalkeeper, Scott Brown, is set to be given his chance as first choice this season having been replaced by Chelsea loan goalkeeper Jamal Blackman following injury before being sent out on loan himself. Defender, Anthony Stewart, and midfielders Marcus Bean and Matt Bloomfield all signed new deals during the summer, whilst much will be expected of midfield playmaker Sam Saunders. Ainsworth has established Wycombe Wanderers as one of least popular clubs in the division with their uncompromising playing style and whilst it should be enough to avoid another battle for their Football League survival, they are unlikely to challenge for the play-off places again.