Iron manager Russ Wilcox has called for patience ahead of the visit of struggling Wycombe Wanderers to Glanford Park this weekend.
Following Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road, United are currently seven points clear of fourth-placed Fleetwood Town with seven games of the regular season now remaining as they look to complete a return to League One at the first time of asking.In contrast, Gareth Ainsworth’s Chairboys find themselves languishing towards the foot of the table, and are precariously placed just above the dreaded drop-zone.
On paper, that would suggest Saturday should represent a routine home win for a side now undefeated in their last 23 matches, but Wilcox told The Iron Player: “They are a team who are two points away from the relegation zone, so it will be a tough game.
“I know Gareth well from our time playing together at Preston, and if they show the hunger, drive, and determination he showed as a player I’m sure they’ll stay up. He’s laid down the gauntlet to them, and said it’s a seven-game season now.”
The final stages of the season is renowned for throwing up shock results, and Wilcox added: “I’m hoping people aren’t going to turn up here thinking it’s going to be three points, and getting carried away.
“We certainly won’t be doing that. These are the hardest games. At the end of every season you see teams at the bottom start winning, and the teams at the top get twitchy.
“We’ve got to make sure the fans are right behind us, which they have been. Please be patient. We’re not going to win the game in the first five minutes, and it might take a late goal, so we must have patience.
“Everybody at the football club knows that we have to remain patient over the 90 minute period to pick up the three points.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox, Gary McSheffrey and Niall Canavan on The Iron Player.