Our last encounter with Wycombe Wanderers so nearly turned out to be a Hallowe’en howler, when we had to rely on a peach of a Mario Vrancic free kick in the dying seconds of normal time to scrape a 2-1 win against a side who were adrift at the bottom then and are adrift at the bottom now.
Having re-read my previous pieces concerning the match, I can now recall that I praised Gareth Ainsworth to the hilt for his rock ‘n’ roll approach to football life and being an all-round good geezer.
I haven’t changed my mind on that but I also said that Wycombe began their #hithousing midway in the first half and never let up with it. We’re bound to be up against more of the same on Sunday dinner time at Adams Park, that’s for sure.
This will be our final match in a sequence of four against clubs in relegation danger and so far we’ve been 100%, even if a little bit dodgy at times at Birmingham on Tuesday, so I’ve not got any real fears about this particular fixture.
The posse of MFW regulars has been gathered and is ready to ride out, so here come their views:
A whimsical Alex Alexander [aka Ed] says:
“During my RAF career, I had to go to Wycombe to attend a selection interview in the early 1970s and as a result of being successful, spent over seven happy years in West Germany, about 20 miles from Dusseldorf in the 70s and 80s. My knowledge of the German language has been put to good use on a couple of occasions since returning to the UK. [Okay Alex, you can do the exclusive interview with Daniel Farke if we ever get one – Martin].
“The only other snippet I can offer is that Bill Turnbull who used to co-host BBC Breakfast and is a lifelong Wycombe Wanderers fan now lives in Suffolk.
“It looks very much as though the Chairboys’ time in the Championship will be relatively brief and they have suffered some heavy defeats already.”
Alex Bain suggests:
“They are a club that have produced two ex-City managers. Martin O’Neill enjoyed just a short stopover at City and after falling foul of Mr Chase, left for Leicester City and went on to bring much success to that club. Paul Lambert did well in the cup competitions for them and departed for Colchester, where he soon left after beating City 7-1 to join us.
“Wycombe are having a tough season but haven’t given up the fight even with some horrendous refereeing decision going against them.
“Their biggest win was against Preston 4-1 and the biggest loss was 7-2 against Brentford.”
Meanwhile Bernie Owen reckons:
“Anticipation! We’re at Adams Park to play the team fronted by the only manager to give Daniel Farke a run for his money in the rock ‘n’ roll footy manager image contest.
“Wycombe will definitely give it a go but the class and skill of City, both individually and collectively, will see Norwich claim the points.
“I’m expecting our fifth win on the spin”.
From the banks of the Yare, well almost, Cutty aka Herr Cutz reasons:
“So on Sunday, it’s the Canaries v the Chairboys, top v bottom, the Championship’s top-scoring duo v the Championship’s leakiest defence.
“An easy and certain win for City? The only certainty is, we don’t do easy. And the Chairboys won’t be sat about admiring our slick passing and skilful play. Ask Huddersfield, 2-0 up then losing 2-3 to a never say die Wycombe. That’s the same Huddersfield that beat the Swans 4-1.”
So what do the posse reckon we’ll see on the Adams Park scoreboard at full time?
Alex A: “I’d love to see us increase our goal difference, as in my opinion the automatic places could be decided on that. My score prediction: three or four-nil.”
Alex B: “Their transfers this season have mostly been freebees, so Gareth Ainsworth has a real rock ‘n’ roll task of keeping them in the Championship. They have conceded two or more goals in most games this season, so my prediction is a City 2-0 win.”
Bernie: “A close fought first half with one away goal will give way to a more dominant second half with two further City goals.”
Cutty: “A tough game, 10-man Wycombe beat Reading on Tuesday. Norwich will have 60% possession with a nervous 1-2 win, goals from our top-scoring duo Pukki and Buendia.”
Thanks for your views lads – I’ll see you all again before the Watford game 
***
While you’re here…
In these difficult and trying times, MFW too is struggling. Generating income streams through ad revenue is a challenge across the globe and we have taken our own hit.
As such, we become increasingly reliant on the good people whose generosity extends to supporting us through a monthly Patreon subscription. For these kind folk we are, and will forever be, eternally grateful.
We appreciate times are hard for all of us, and every penny counts, but if any more of you could see fit to help us in this way, we’d be so thankful.
We also recognise that we have not expressed our gratitude sufficiently for the kindness of our existing donors, and so there’ll be some exclusive content on its way by way of a small thank you; something we intend to make a regular feature.
So, once again, thank you. Without you, the readers, we would not even exist. Please stay safe.
If anyone is interested in taking a look at our Patreon page, it’s here.
Gary
Hi Martin
Well Gareth Ainsworth has said that his team have nothing to fear and that this is a free hit for them and I concur they have shown they can upset anybody on their day and they don’t have any shrinking violets in the team.
This will be a full blooded encounter and if city are as on Tuesday slow out of the blocks it will be an up hill battle to get back into the game.
For this game I would like city to play with possible 3 CB but I can’t see that happening one thing Farke will know is that Wycombe will run through a brick wall for their Rock and Roll manager and then some.
Let’s hope for a strong Ref who will jump on any early niggling fouls and set a tempo that makes it a good game to watch.
Still go for a 2-0/1 for city
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy 🙏
Hi Alex
A strong referee would be a bonus – those Chairboys know how to $hithouse.
I’ve no idea about the state of the Adams Park pitch but it surely cannot be as bad as the one on the Blue side of Birmingham.
I’m assuming Daniel’s press conference will be up later today and while I’m obviously hoping Ben Gibson is back it would seem to be Zimbo’s type of game.
Unusually for me I’m really quite confident – and looking at Saturday’s fixtures I guess that’s a good thing!
Cheers
See Mick M at Cardiff is blowing hard saying that all clubs in the top 6 will feel the pressure from the clubs just outside it like themselves, Bournemouth and Barnsley all hitting top form on the run in.
He says there is no pressure on the teams outside the top 6 as no one was expecting them to be there, didn’t he lose in the playoffs to city a few years ago and when he did get promoted didn’t he fail to keep them up only time will tell but I prefer to see it where they are than where Cardiff are
Yeah
Todd’s out and Onel’s a big doubt but we’ve got many ways to get round that – wouldn’t mind seeing Sorensen restred at LB and Giannoulis on that wing myself.
We’ll see what Farke does!
You older Wycombe supporters will remember my cousin Charlie Gale, full back and captain in you non-league days. I was in the RAF in Gibraltar when the team visited on tour, maybe ’71/72. Len Fuscillo is the only name I can remember, but it was 50 years ago.
Hi Roger
That’s interesting. I know next to nothing about the history of Wycombe Wanderers FC but do recall the name of Len Fuscillo but probably in the context of another club.
I’ll have to chase that one up on Google, which I shortly will.
Thanks.
It was actually Paul Fuschillo who played quite a few games for Blackpool and later Brighton.
I never liked homework as a schoolkid but I enjoyed a quick Google of that – I somehow recalled the name from somewhere.
All that’s according to Wiki, of course.
Hi Roger
Same as you I was stationed in Gibraltar from January 73 to June 75 great time over there
I worked mostly at Middle Hill, ’70 _ ’73 for me. Love the place.