Wheeler’s Chairboys eye summit
AFTER last week’s 2-2 draw in the FA Cup, Wycombe Wanderers make a swift return to Prenton Park knowing that a single point will take them to the top of the table.
And the versatile David Wheeler is eager for them to take advantage and pile pressure on their promotion rivals.
Not that many expected Gareth Ainsworth’s Chairboys to be riding high in the league when the season got underway in August.
“When I signed, we were favourites to go down,” laughed Wheeler, who helped MK Dons to promotion from League Two last season while on loan from QPR.
“It’s only November, but each time we keep staying at the top end of the table and picking up points, we’re putting pressure on the teams around us to do the same.
“Over the next six weeks or so, we’re playing pretty much all the teams up the top so in January we will have a much better idea of where we stand.
“If we are anywhere close to the automatic places, we will take a lot of confidence into the run-in.”
First up, though, is today’s part two of the Tranmere v Wycombe trilogy.
“It is a strange situation playing them again so soon,” admitted 29-year-old former Exeter wideman Wheeler.
“It’s not ideal to do the same journey again, but I think it can be good in a sense.
“We will go into it with an idea of what they are about. We can make more plans leading up to the game.”
On Wednesday night, it will be roles reversed as Rovers make the trip south for the FA Cup first round replay.
There is plenty at stake from a financial point of view.
The winners earn £36,000 in prize money and will also bag £75,000 due to the fact the second round tie at home against minnows Chichester City has been chosen for live television coverage.
Beating City would earn another £54,000 in prize money and a place in the potentially lucrative third round draw.
“As players, we would love a cup run,” admitted Wheeler. “To get the challenge of a team above us would be great, but we are two games away from that prospect and we don’t know what’s going to happen.
“An extra influx of cash would come in really handy if we need to strengthen the squad in January.”
So what is the secret of Wycombe’s unexpected success this term?
“Everyone seems to be very humble and level-headed,” added recent recruit Wheeler.
“A lot of it is based on that and a strong work-ethic. The gaffer and Dobbo (assistant Richard Dobson) instil that in the squad.
“We have people on the same wavelength – it’s a decent group of guys.”