TOM HANCOCK

@ Tom_ Hancock_

Last season was another typically dramatic Wycombe season until the play- off final, which was as routine a victory as you’re likely to see… for Sunderland. Still, only twice have we ever finished higher up the pyramid. This season will be different because it will be our first since club legend Adebayo Akinfenwa retired. The loss of his enormous dressing- room presence will take some getting used to.

Our key player will be Sam Vokes [ below]. Sometimes we still have to pinch ourselves that he’s playing for Wycombe – he’s the best striker we’ve ever had and integral to our attack.

Look out for Chris Forino. In the space of barely 12 months, the UCAS Baresi went from studying at Loughborough to starring in League One, and he looks the real deal already.

The pantomime villain will be referee Trevor Kettle: one of the truly great lower- league entertainers, until he’s in charge of one of your matches. Our most underrated player is

Daryl Horgan, the victim of his own selflessness. He’s the best we’ve got when it comes to recycling possession and creating space in the final third. The active player I’d love to have back is Uche Ikpeazu. He would have been adored at Adams Park, but he never got to play in front of the fans there. Cheers, COVID. I won’t be happy unless a solid gold statue of Gareth Ainsworth is erected in time for our first home game. I’m least looking forward to playing

Peterborough, because of the tedious rhetoric that followed after we beat them to a play- off spot in 2019- 20 on points per game. We didn’t cause the pandemic, guys. Fans think our owner is a genuine guy who loves Wycombe. Rob Couhig hasn’t got absolutely everything right, but there’s arguably a stronger bond between supporters and board now than when the club was fan- owned. The one change I’d make would be no more post- match fireworks, please! I don’t think I need to spell out how cringeworthy it’ll be if we have to set them off after a defeat. We’ve been lucky so far. We’ll finish 6th, again.

FFT VERDICT

9TH

Ainsworth’s new deal shows his commitment to pulling off a third consecutive top- six finish. There’s a template – the previous two both came with league- low possession of 44 per cent – but he must dilute Wycombe’s experience with youth to offset any incremental decline.