Despite the relentless negativity on social media, there were improved elements in the performance today.
In the first half we clearly set up to be solid, and were improved defensively with Clarke back in the side. It was a midfield battle and a nothing half really, with only a couple of half-chances for either side, which is exactly how we would have planned it. However, Wycombe did force a succession of free kicks around our box, often resulting from dubious refereeing (as admitted by their manager). In this period of pressure a corner was whipped in dangerously by Jacobson, took a nasty deflection and was bundled in by Akinfenwa, who used his arm to force the ball home from my viewpoint.
The second half started poorly, with Rovers relying too much on long punts to Cook, who was becoming ineffective. However, Mellon correctly made a change, bringing on Ferrier, which revitalised us and gave us more of a threat in the final third. The quality of our football improved, with Morris heavily involved and we finally had a threat in behind. The equaliser was deserved and was an excellent finish by Vaughan.
In the five or ten minutes that followed we had Wycombe under serious pressure and I honestly believed we could go on and win the game. We did not force their keeper into any real saves, but Ferrier and Vaughan were a threat playing on the shoulder of the Wycombe defence and we visibly grew in confidence, having finally got on the scoresheet. However, Wycombe's second goal was the obvious turning point in the game. Wilson was beaten by their winger for probably the first time in the match, and Akinfenwa delivered a superb header into the bottom corner. From that point we obviously had to chase the game and were vulnerable to the counter attack, which is how their third arose. Davies was probably rash to race from his line and make a challenge, but I was not convinced the foul was inside the box (neither was their manager). Wycombe created three or four good chances when the game opened out and deserved the victory, but the final scoreline flattered them slightly.
There were some good individual displays. Wilson kept their talented winger very quiet, other than in the build up to the second goal, and Ridehalgh had a really solid game. Woodyard covered an unbelievable amount of ground and protected the back four very well. Morris had his best game in a while - the Prenton Park pitch makes it impossible for him to dribble and play his natural game.
It was interesting that the quality of our football improved when Cook went off today, with Vaughan looking more threatening alongside Ferrier. Food for thought for the manager. I think if Cook does start games we have to play through the thirds, move the ball wide and then cross to him, rather than punting long balls for him to knock down. We just don't look threatening with that pattern of play, and I don't think that kind of service is any use to Vaughan, who really needs balls threaded through from behind.
As I said previously, I did not expect us to get anything out of this game, so today's result changes nothing for me, despite the hysteria. The game on Tuesday was always the one we could realistically win, although that task has become harder following Shrewsbury's apparent return to form and impressive victory against Donny today. However, I saw enough in the second half to suggest we can cause them some problems.