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Page last updated at 11:22 GMT, Monday, 2 November 2009
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AINSWORTH REPLACES WADDOCK AT WYCOMBE

Wycombe Wanderers’ midfielder Gareth Ainsworth has been given the job as player-manager until the end of the season. Ainsworth replaces Gary Waddock who left the club yesterday. Waddock was relieved of his duties with the club at the foot of the table with only seven points from fifteen matches, nine points away from safety.

Chairman Steve Hayes said:

“ I felt it was right for the club to let Gary leave the club after a very disappointing start for us. We want this club to be in this division next season and unfortunately for Gary it hasn’t worked out here.

I’d like the thank Gary for everything he did at the club in his short period here but now we are looking to the future and that future of this club is Gareth Ainsworth. Gareth has had a various of coaching roles over the last few season with Queens Park Rangers and was very unfortunate not to be given the job permanently last season.

He’s a very influential man and I’m pretty certain that he will get the best out of the players’ here. He will still be contracted as a player for this season so he will be taking up the role of player-manager this season.”

In October 2008 Ainsworth was appointed as caretaker manager of QPR, following the sacking of former boss Iain Dowie. He remained on the club's coaching staff after Paulo Sousa was appointed as first-team coach the following month. Following the sacking of Sousa on 9 April 2009, Ainsworth again took the role of caretaker manager however signed an eighteen month playing contract with Wycombe at the start of this season.

Wycombe haven’t won for six matches however face Blue Square Premier side Hayes and Yeading in the FA Cup first round on Saturday in Ainsworth’s first match as manager.

[Fola]

Page last updated at 09:26 GMT, Tuesday, 3 November 2009
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OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

Following the appointment of Gareth Ainsworth as the club's new manager the whole backroom staff have been replaced.

Chairman Steve Hayes told WWFC.com:

" We felt that to ensure that the club stays in this division for next season that we need a new lease of life at the club. It's a sad day for the people that we have made redundant but this day is the start of something new for this football club.

Yes some people may see it as a gamble but I certainly believe that if this ‘gamble’ pays off then it will be a fantastic thing for this club. At the moment we are under no pressure, the lads no this. It’s now time for Gareth and his new staff to get work under way for the match on Saturday against Hayes and Yeading.”

Out

Martin Kuhl – Assistant Manager
Richard Dobson – Youth Coach
Shay Connolly – Physio
Murray Moore – Physio
Sonny Parsons – Scout
Jake Rugg – Coach
Damien Doyle – Fitness Coach
Martin Brennan – Goalkeeper Coach

In

Matthew Crocker – Assistant Manager
Richard McKenna – Coach
Tony Elwell – Coach
Paul Cohen – Coach
Jon Hallworth – Goalkeeper Coach
Stuart Gray – Scout
Mike Jacques – Physio

Do you think this gamble will pay off? Is Ainsworth the right man for the job? Have your say on the Wycombe Wanderers Messageboard.

This post has been edited by Fola: 21 March 2010 - 04:56 PM

[Fola]

Page last updated at 11:24 GMT, Wednesday, 4 November 2009
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ARSENAL YOUNGSTER JOINS WYCOMBE ON LOAN

Arsenal have allowed young midfielder Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to join Coca Cola League One side Wycombe Wanderers on a three month loan deal. Emmanuel-Thomas becomes Gareth Ainsworth's first recruit as Wycombe manager.

Gareth Ainsworth spoke to the BBC stating that he was very impressed that Emmanuel-Thomas turned down Championship side Derby County to join Wycombe.

" That definatly impressed me greatly. It shows that he's here for the fight and that is just the type of player that we need at the club. He's a big strong lad who can play in many positions on the pitch. I'm hoping that his three month spell here can be a successful one and hopefully if that occurs then we may be able to extend it."

Emmanuel-Thomas played a big part in the Arsenal youth team that won the 2008–09 FA Youth Cup, in which he scored in every round. Arsenal beat Liverpool 6–2 on aggregate in the two-legged final, with Emmanuel-Thomas captaining the side and also scoring in the 4–1 first leg win at the Emirates Stadium.

He was also twice an unused substitute in first team matches during the last season and has come off the bench once this season, that coming in Arsenal's two nil win against Hull City.

Emmanuel-Thomas is expected to start against Hayes and Yeading on Saturday that of which is Gareth Ainsworth's first match as Wycombe manager.

[Fola]

Saturday, 7 November 2009
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WYCOMBE WANDERERS 3 - 0 HAYES AND YEADING

[Matt Phillips 36, Kevin McLeod 67, Alex Revell 89]

Wycombe are through to the second round on the EON FA Cup after a convincing win against Blue Square Premier side Hayes and Yeading in Gareth Ainsworth's first match as manager.

Matt Phillips bagged Wycombe's first goal after thirty six minutes. Matt Harrold, who was starting his first game of the season whipped in a ball from the right into the box which wasn't dealt with by the Hayes and Yeading defence who allowed Phillips to get the faintest of touches to slot the ball past Clark Masters in the Hayes and Yeading goal.

Wycombe were barely threatend by Hayes and Yeading and grabbed their second goal midway through the second half. Kevin McLeod was the goalscorer smashing the ball into the the top right corner after being played through by substitute Jon Paul-Pittman.

Pittman was again involved in Wycombe's final goal. Pitman playead a good ball through to Revell who calmly clipped the ball over Masters and into the net to round off a good first win for Ainsworth.

This post has been edited by Fola: 16 March 2010 - 06:35 PM

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COCA COLA LEAGUE ONE STANDINGS

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Page last updated at 13:45 GMT, Sunday, 8 November 2009
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RITCHIE JOINS WYCOMBE ON LOAN

Cash strapped Premiership side Portsmouth have allowed reserve midfielder Matt Ritchie to join Coca Cola League One side Wycombe Wanderers on loan for three months. Ritchie had previously been on loan at League Two high flyers Notts County.

Ritchie seemed very pleased with the loan move to Wycombe stating his admiration for Gareth Ainsworth and also telling the BBC that if it is a successful loan that it may be made permanent.

" I can’t see myself being at Pompey much longer. They have so much to deal with at the moment in terms of money and even staying in business, it’s very sad. I’ve never played a game for the first team and to be honest I can’t see it happening. I’ve been successful at other Football League clubs and I’m hoping I can be successful here too"

Ritchie made thirty six appearences last season for Dagenham and Redbridge scoring eleven goals from the centre of midfield. Ritchie has previously been on loan at Notts County this season, scoring five goals before his loan deal ended last week.

Wycombe Wanderers' have failed to win in six league matches however last week installed Gareth Ainsworth as manager and have progressed to the second round of FA Cup with a three nil win against Blue Square Premier side Hayes and Yeading.

[Fola]

Saturday, 14 November 2009
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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1 - 1 WYCOMBE WANDERERS

[Gary Roberts 52] [Alex Revell 93]

Alex Revell's injury time goal was enough to earn Wycombe a well deserved draw against play off pushing Huddersfield Town. The draw keeps Gareth Ainsworth unbeaten run going after last week's win against Hayes and Yeading.

Both sides competed well in the first half with Jon Paul Pittman twice going close to breaking the deposit however his attempts were well saved. Jay Emmuanuel-Thomas combined well with fellow debutant Matt Ritchie however like Pittman his shot was also saved.

Wycombe were made to pay for those missed chances after the break when Roberts struck. Anthony Pilkington was allowed too much space on the right hand side to drift in an inch perfect cross which Roberts nodded past Shearer.

It looked like Wycombe were going to lose their sixth consecutive league match however substitute Alex Revell struck another late goal. The ball was lumped forward by Luke Oliver, fellow substitute Stuart Beavon's effort was only parried by Smithies, leaving Revell to slot the ball into the empty net.

[Fola]

Sunday 15th November

REVELL PRAISES NEW MANAGEMENT PAIR

Wycombe Wanderers' on loan striker Alex Revell has told ITV that he didn't believe that Wycombe would have grabbed a draw against Huddersfield if it hadn't have been down to the club's new management duo Gareth Ainsworth and his Assistant Matthew Crocker.

Revell bagged his second goal in as many games with his late equaliser against Hudderesfield. He is currently on loan from fellow League One side Southend and is the bottom placed top goalscorer so far with five goals in thirteen appearences.

Revell,26 said:

" I don't think that earlier on in the season we would have grabbed that last minute goal. We weren't playing as a unit and now we are paying the consequences of that with our league position. Gareth has brought a new lease of life into the club and that goal is dedicated to him.

" It was seen as a huge gamble to appoint such a young management team in Gareth (Ainsworth) and Matty (Matthew Crocker) who are both still in their thirties but i firmly believe that it will pay off and hopefully this football club will still be in this league next season."

Wycombe have currently played one game more than the teams around them however are still eight points off safety with only two wins all season. Their next match is against last season's play off finalist Millwall who are currently sitting in third place.

[Fola]

Saturday, 21 November 2009
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MILLWALL 1 - 2 WYCOMBE WANDERERS

[Steve Morison 6] [Alex Revell 88,92]

For the third time in successive games Alex Revell came off the bench to steal the headlines as he scored twice in the last five minutes to grab Wycombe a win away at third placed Millwall. Revell was only on the pitch for a period of fourteen minutes and in that time bagged his third and fourth goals in three matches.

Millwall went ahead within six minutes through former Stevenage Borough striker Steve Morison. Morision was played through by Millwall legend Neil Harris and made no mistake as he powered the ball past Shearer to put Millwall ahead.

Wycombe however never gave up and went close in the second half after Keates' effort hit the bar but it was super-sub Revell to again came to Wycombe rescue. A mistake Darren Ward allowed Matt Harrold to get the ball on the right hand side, Harrold played a fantastic cross into Revell who guided his header into the top left hand corner.

Millwall pushed on to get the winner after Revell's goal but this came back to haunt them as they were hit on the counter in the second minute of injury time. Revell's second header of the game was again thanks to a good ball by strike partner Matt Harrold. Harrold quickly broke free on the right, again playing a fantastic ball into the box allowing Revell to head home.

The win was Wycombe's first win in six matches and also Gareth Ainsworth first win in the league as manager. Wycombe are now only five points off safety and play thirteenth placed Brentord at home on Tuesday night.

[Fola]

Tuesday, 24 November 2009
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WYCOMBE WANDERERS 2 - 1 BRENTFORD

[Jay Emmanuel-Thomas 7, Alex Revell 45] [Myles Weston 49]

Wycombe won their second consecutive match with a convincing win against Brentford. Arsenal loanee Jay Emmanuel-Thomas grabbed his first goal for the club in only his second match for Wycombe. However he had to come off midway through the first half due to an injury to his left hamstring, that left super-sub Alex Revell to come on and score for the fourth game on the trot.

Emmanuel-Thomas put Wycombe ahead after nine minutes. Fellow loanee Matt Ritchie combined well with veteran midfielder Dean Keates in the centre of midfield who played an exquisite ball through to Emmuanuel-Thomas. The lanky forward took the ball in his stride and fired past Lewis Price in the Brentford goal.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas’ match ended soon after after he succumbed to injury. The striker appeared to go down clutching his left calf; initial fears are that he could miss any time up to six weeks. Alex Revell replaced Emmanuel-Thomas and he didn’t take long to make his impact on the game.

Matt Ritchie drilled a corner to the back post which was left by the Brentford defence, allowing Revell to rise unmarked to head the ball past the despairing dive of Price. The goal was Revell’s eighth of the season.

Myles Weston grabbed a goal back for Brentford just after the break with a good finish but Wycombe held on for there fourth win of the season. The result leaves Gareth Ainsworth’s side only three points away from safety and one point away from twenty-third placed Hartlepool.

[Fola]

Page last updated at 18:26 GMT, Wedesday, 25 November 2009
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SECOND ROUND DRAW

All games will be played on the weekend of the 28th and 29th of November.

[Fola]

Saturday, 28 November 2009
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GATESHEAD 2 - 0 WYCOMBE WANDERERS

[Kris Gate 51, Graeme Armstrong 70]

Wycombe have crashed out of the EON FA Cup after losing their second round match two nil to Blue Square Premier side Gateshead. The loss was Gareth Ainsworth's first as manager. Gateshead are currently in sixteenth place in the Blue Square Premier and will now look forward to the third round draw alongside Premiership sides suchas Manchester United and Chelsea.

Wycombe started with the same side that had beaten Brentford in the last match again leaving top goalscorer Alex Revell on the bench. However it was Gateshead who bossed the first half with Wycombe having to thank 'keeper Scott Shearer for some top saves to keep Wycombe in the match.

Wycombe looked complacent and they were made to pay for this soon after the start of the second half. The ball wasn't dealt with by Kevin McLeod on the left as he allowed the ball to be crossed into the box. Luke Oliver headed the ball away however Kris Gate struck from eighteen yards to put Gateshead infront.

It was thought that the goal may inspire Wycombe into getting an equaliser but that wasn't to be as Gateshead went two nil up after seventy minutes. Graeme Armstrong had the beating of Leon Johnson in the air and nodded the ball past Shearer into the bottom right hand corner.

Wycombe faied to threaten Gateshead and hopefully this embarresing defeat will help them focus only on the league. Wycombe travel to Southampton next who are currently three games undefeated.

[Fola]

Tuesday, 1 December 2009
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SOUTHAMPTON 2 - 0 WYCOMBE WANDERERS

[Lee Barnard 60, Rickie Lambert 86]

Goals from Lee Barnard and Rickie Lambert were enough to condemn Wycombe to their second successive defeat in all competitions. Wycombe rarely troubled Southampton were put on a very impressive display. The loss was also Gareth Ainsworth's first loss in the league as manager.

Rickie Lambert impressed throughout for Southampton; hitting the woodwork twice in the first half. It was Lambert who also provided the first goal for Southampton courtesy of former Southend striker Lee Barnard.

Lambert held off the challenge of Luke Oliver and layed the ball off to Barnard on the edge of the area. The striker took the ball in his stride and curled the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

Southampton grabbed their second goal just before the end of the match. Rickie Lambert smashed the ball home from a tight angle after Wycombe winger Matt Phillips was dispossed easily on the edge of the box.

The loss leaves Wycombe still rooted to the bottom of the Coca-Cola League One table and four points from safety. The 'Chairboys' host fellow strugglers Stockport County on Tuesday as they look to regain their form that they had when Ainsworth first took over.

[Fola]

Tuesday, 1 December 2009
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COCA COLA LEAGUE ONE STANDINGS

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Page last updated at 11:28 GMT, Friday, 4 December 2009
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WE NEED TO BEAT STOCKPORT SAYS AINSWORTH

Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has told his side that they must beat Stockport in tomorrow's crunch encounter to give them the upperhand on them at the end of the season. Ainsworth's side have lost their last two matches, getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Blue Square Premier side Gateshead and losing two nil to Southampton on Wednesday.

Ainsworth told the BBC:

' This is a match that i feel that we need to win. Stockport will be down there with us at the end of the season and i don't feel that we can give them three points. It really is the difinition of a six pointer. They're a good side but we need to be beating these types of teams. Gary Ablett has got them playing some good football but we need to show them that we are up for the fight.

'We're been disappointing recently; there's no getting away from that. However when i first came to the club we were fantastic, especially with the result at Millwall. We need to get back to that sort of quality, starting with the match tomorrow."

Ainsworth's side have won three out of the six matches during his tenure, losing two and drawing one.

[Fola]

Saturday, 5 December 2009
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WYCOMBE WANDERERS 2 - 4 STOCKPORT

[Matt Ritchie 1, Jon Paul-Pittman 48] [Jabo Ibehre 8,15 Johnny Mullins 18, James Vincent 26]

'The match we need to win'; those were the words of manager Gareth Ainsworth before the game today. Wycombe's first half capitulation condemned them to a loss to fellow strugglers Stcokport. Matt Ritchie had put Wycombe ahead with his first goal in a Wycombe shirt before Stockport scored four goals in the space of eighteen minutes. Jon Paul-Pittan grabbed a consolation in the second half.

Matt Ritchie put Wycombe ahead after fourty-two seconds with a wondergoal from thirty yards out. The Portsmouth loanee who was playing on the left side of a five man midfield beat three men before curling the ball past Welsh youth international goalkeeper Owain Fon' Williams to give Wycombe a perfect start.

However Wycombe let Stockport back into the match soon after through their own loanee Jabo Ibehre. Ibehre fired the ball to Shearer's right and into the corner of the net after Wycombe central defending pair; Leon Johnson and Luke Oliver failed to deal with the strength of the former Leyton Orient man.

It wasn't long before Ibehre got his second of the match. The tall forward powered a header past Scott Shearer, beating Oliver in the air to put County ahead. County grabbed their third goal minutes later through former Mansfield defender Johnny Mullins. Mullins was allowed a free header in the box from a corner and he headed past Shearer.

Wycombe's fate was sealead after only twenty six minutes when James Vincent got County's fourth and final goal. The right winger curled the ball past the despairing dive of Shearer and into the top left hand corner. Jon Paul-Pittman grabbed a goal just after the restart with a good header but overall it was a very poor day for Ainsworth's men.

The defeat leaves Wycombes still at the bottom of the Coca Cola League One table, now five points from safety. They face another crucial game at strugglers Carlisle next Saturday.

[Fola]

Saturday, 12 December 2009
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CARLISLE 2 - 0 WYCOMBE WANDERERS

[Gary Madine 1,68]

Wycombe succumbed to another loss against a side close to them after their two nil defeat against fellow strugglers Carlisle. Gary Madine’s goals were enough to condemn Wycombe to their fourth consecutive loss.

Wycombe got off to the worst possible start, going behind within twenty seconds. Madine combined well with Kevan Hurst on the right wing; Hurst whipped in a great ball into the box. The Wycombe defenders watched as Madine got to the ball ahead of Shearer to slot into the open goal.

Wycombe should have been level before the break on two occasions. Alex Revell missed two one on ones in the space of a few minutes as he fired wide from the edge of the area with his first effort and his second was well saved my Adam Collin in the Carlisle goal.

Madine got his second and most crucial goal of the match after sixty-eight minutes, again courtesy of a header. Leon Johnson was unable to cope with Madine’s heading ability all afternoon and was again beaten as Madine rose highest to head past Shearer to condemned Wycombe to the defeat.

Wycombe stay rooted to the bottom of the table and have picked up no points in their last two crucial matches against relegation threatened sides. Gareth Ainsworth will be hoping that this can change when his side face twenty-third placed Oldham next Saturday.

This post has been edited by Fola: 17 March 2010 - 07:41 PM

[Fola]

Saturday, 19 December 2009
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WYCOMBE WANDERERS 2 - 0 OLDHAM ATHLETIC

[Dean Keates 75, Stuart Beavon 77]

First goals of the season by veteran midfielder Dean Keates and former Weymouth striker Stuart Beavon helped Wycombe win a vital match in pursuing their surival in League One against fellow strugglers Oldham Athletic. The win was Wycombe's first in four matches.

Both sides started nervously in a dull encounter at Adams Park and it wasn't until the second half until the game came into life. Keigan Parker went close on two occasions for the visitors as did Stuart Beavon who was starting his first game of the season but his effort was well saved by 'keeper Dean Brill.

Wycombe grabbed the all important goal after seventy-five minutes through Dean Keates. The diminutive midfield general bustled his way through the Oldham defence and let fly from twenty five yards. The ball whistled into the top right hand corner to the delight of the Wycombe support. Keates wheeled away off to the Wycombe dugout where he celebrated with Gareth Ainsworth.

Wycombe got the second goal to kill off the match only minutes after through Stuart Beavon. With Oldham pushing on for the draw there was always going to be space for the counter attack and that was excatly what happened. From an Oldham corner the ball was cleared by Oliver over the top of the Oldham defence, allowing Beavon to beat the offside trap and clip the ball over Brill for his first goal of the season.

The win leaves Wycombe still bottom of the League One table and six points off survival however now level with Oldham. Wycombe travel to twenty first placed Yeovil Town on Boxing day in our next match.

[Fola]

Saturday, 26 December 2009
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YEOVIL TOWN 1 - 3 WYCOMBE WANDERERS

[Anton Jongsma 61] [Matt Phillips 20, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas 24, Gareth Ainsworth 75]

Player-Manager Gareth Ainsworth started himself for the first time this season and it turned out to be a fantastic move as the gaffer got an assist and a goal to his name. Arsenal loanee Jay Emmanuel-Thomas grabbed a goal and an assist however got injured again, this time being ruled out for an expected five weeks.

Wycombe started off the brightest of the two sides and went ahead through winger Matt Phillips after twenty minutes. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas caused havoc on the left hand side of midfield, running rings round the Yeovil right back before whipping in a fantastic cross to the back post where Phillips nodded the ball into the opposite corner to give Wycombe the lead.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas doubled Wycombe's lead minutes later. Gareth Ainsworth's corner wasn't dealt with by the Yeovil defence as Emmanuel-Thomas rose highest to head the ball into the roof of the net. However the day went sour for Emmanuel-Thomas as he was strectchered off soon after with an expected torn right hamstring.

Yeovil pulled a goal back on the hour after Yeovil striker Anton Jongsma headed in but it was Wycombe's and Gareth Ainsworth's day today. Ainsworth grabbed his goal on seventy-five minutes as he powered the ball from twenty yards into the far corner.

Wycombe are now only three points away from safety and have moved up to twenty-second place in the Coca Cola League One table. Wycombe host Brighton next and will hope to keep up their good form from recent matches.

[Fola]

Page last updated at 09:11 GMT, Sunday, 27 December 2009
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AINSWORTH DELIGHTED WITH GOAL

Wycombe Wanderers player-manager Gareth Ainsworth has spoke of his delight at bagging his first goal of the season in yesterday's match against Yeovil. Ainsworth scored the last goal in an important win in Wycombe's fight for survival.

Ainsworth didn't start a game under old manager Gary Waddock and hasn't put himself in the squad since he has taken over the managerial reigns however started himself on the right side of midfield against Yeovil.

Ainsworth told the BBC:

" I decided that it was right for me to play. At the end of the day i'm registered as a player so i felt that it was right for the team. Ultimately i am manager of the football club but i will start myself when i feel it is right for the team.

" It was a great feeling to score the third goal. The lads never gave up and kept going which was great. We were fantastic today, we dominated the game against a strong side and now we need to push on from here."

Wycombe have won their last two matches however are still three points from safety. They host fifteenth placed Brighton Hove Albion tomorrow.