SIDO IS READY FOR NEW SHOT AT GLORY
IF THERE was one team entitled to feel a little bit down in the dumps as they prepared for the new campaign, it was Wycombe Wanderers.
Gareth Ainsworth’s boys faded out of the League Two automatic promotion race in the final furlong last season, but seemed all set to go up via the glory route of Wembley when they led Southend United 1-0 in the closing seconds of extra-time in the play-off final.
Phil Brown’s Shrimpers looked as if they couldn’t hit a cow’s backside with a banjo, but, from nowhere, they conjured up a last-gasp move of quality and sub Joe Pigott coolly stuck away his shot to break Wycombe hearts. And then Southend triumphed on penalties.
But after a pre-season trip to France which enabled them to train as well as play a match against French third tier side US Avranches (they lost 2-1), the Chairboys are ready for a fresh start.
And Portuguese defender Sido Jombati insists there won’t be a hangover.
“No chance,” he told The FLP. “The manager’s mentality is positive. He is happy if you give 100 per cent, that’s what he wants.
“We know how good we are and how we did in the past. We’ll play our way, with high-pressing football and we’ll see how it works.
“We haven’t set any targets. We’ve seen some teams with big budgets, but we’ll just go game by game.”
But one thing the 27-yearold is clear about is the importance of that trip to France in blowing away the cobwebs and building bonds between the players.
“It’s nice because you get to know your team-mates,” said the former Bath City and Cheltenham man. “It’s five days, 24 hours and you can talk about everything. Some are more talkative than others and you learn how people are.
“It’s what you need to get team spirit. Ours is strong and it’s good for the new players to see that.”