Article by Chris Duncan @coach_chris83
This weekend sees Tottenham Hotspur take on Wycombe Wanderers at White Hart Lane in the fourth round of The FA Cup. It is fair to say the draw has been kind to us and baring one of the biggest shocks in the clubs history, we should comfortably progress to the fifth round.
Brief History
Founded in 1887, The Chairboys, as Wycombe Wanderers are affectionately known, were a successful non league side for many years, before wining promotion to The Football League in 1993, winning The FA Trophy the same year to claim the non-league doule. Since winning promotion to the football league, Wycombe have achieved promotion twice - both times to what is now League One and have suffered two relegations.
FA Cup Run
Wycombe's best run in The FA Cup came in the 2000-2001 season, when, like us, they reached the semi-finals, losing 2-1 to eventual winners Liverpool. Wycombe's cup run this season has yielded impressive away victories against 2008 cup winners Portsmouth and Chesterfield in rounds one and two respectively. Wycombe then overcame non league Stourbridge 2-1 at home in round three.
Current Form
Since the draw for the fourth round was made Wycombe have won one and drawn three of the four games they have played, extending their unbeaten run to 16 games. The Chairboys currently sit in fifth position in the League Two table and have a realistic chance of making the playoffs.
The Manager - Gareth Ainsworth
Player-manager Gareth Ainsworth is a creative midfielder who has previously played for Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers, amongst others. Still registered as a player at the age of forty-three - 43 is also his squad number - Ainsworth is making a name for himself in management. Following two spells as caretaker manager with Q.P.R, Ainsworth took temporary charge at Adams Park in September 2012, becoming the clubs permanent manager two months later. Wycombe struggled during Ainsworth's first two seasons in charge, finishing 13th and 22nd, before finishing fourth in 2014/15 - a feat which saw Ainsworth named The LMA manager of the year for League Two. Last season brought with it a disappointing 13th placed finish, but this season looks a lot brighter, with Wycombe sitting in fifth place in League Two, as well as reaching the area final of The Checkatrade Trophy.
Players to Watch
Below I have listed three Wycombe Wanderers players that I believe are worth keeping tabs on and who will be crucial to their chances of causing an upset.
Adebayo Akinfenwa - Known as The Beast to followers of Football League clubs, due to his heavy build and strength, Akinfena has represented thirteen clubs throughout his career, including two spells at both Gillingham and Northampton Town - which whom he was most prolific. The striker finished last season at AFC Wimbledon, scoring for them in their League Two playoff final victory over Plymouth Argyle.
Jamal Blackman - Goalkeeper who is on loan from Chelsea and has featured twenty-nine times for The Chairboys. Blackman has also enjoyed loan spells with Middlesborough and Östersunds FK in Sweden and has represented England at youth level.
Matt Bloomfield - Club captain and creative midfielder, who has spent his entire first team career at Wycombe, playing over 400 games for the club. Bloomfield started his career at Ipswich Town, but only made one substitute appearance during his time at Portman Road.
Team News
Spurs - Mauricio Pochettino has already stated that Toby Alderweireld, Harry Kane and Danny Rose will not feature against Wycombe, while Jan Vertonghen and Érik Lamela remain sidelined through injury.
Wycombe - Gareth Ainsworth has no fresh injury concerns and may include Sam Saunders, who recently rejoined the club from Brentford.
Prediction
Spurs 3 Wycombe 0
In all honesty this is not a fixture that is going to set the football world alight. That said, I am looking forward to it, as it gives our youngsters another opportunity to showcase their talents. I would expect to see at team similar to the one Pochettino named against Aston Villa, which Eric Dier coming in for Toby. I expect Vincent Janssen to start upfront and pray he finally scores his first goal for us from open play.
Although I expect us to win comfortably, I do not expect Wycombe to make it easy for us. I imagine Gareth Ainsworth will set his side up not to lose, though they are unbeaten in 16 games, so will be full of confidence in what is effectively their cup final.
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