THE BIG MATCH PREVIEW
Posted on: Sat 22 Mar 2008
By Matt Cecil
Wanderers make the long trip north to Christie Park on Saturday to meet Sammy McIlroy's Morecambe in the first of two crucial fixtures over the Bank Holiday weekend, and Paul Lambert's side will be looking to complete a double over the Shrimpers after recording a 2-0 win at Adams Park in December.
With just eight games to go in the regular League Two season, every match carries extra significance as the Blues still hold aspirations of an automatic promotion place, and their quest would be hugely boosted if they could collect six points from the encounters against Morecambe and Stockport in the space of three days.
The Christie Park side are enjoying an excellent first season in league football following their promotion from the Conference last season, and currently lie in 9th place - just four points short of a play-off place with a game in hand.
However, the Shrimpers have suffered a poor run of form recently, with last week's 3-1 win over Brentford following a run of four straight defeats, and McIlroy's side have only picked up two home victories since the turn of the year.
Wanderers, on the other hand, have enjoyed an excellent away record recently, with just two defeats on the road in the last three months, but Head Coach Ian Culverhouse is under no illusions as to how difficult the game could be:
"It's a massive weekend for us," he told Wanderers World's preview show. "Morecambe got a morale-boosting win last weekend so we won't underestimate them, but all we can do is worry about ourselves. The loss at Hereford hurt the lads last week but we've re-focused and it's a big game for us."
Catch the full Wanderers World preview, including exclusive interviews with Ian Culverhouse and skipper David McCracken, by clicking here.
Team News:
Morecambe: Craig Stanley remains out of action after being placed on the transfer list and young keeper Scott Davies is likely to keep his place between the sticks after a solid display last weekend.
Wycombe: Sergio Torres could return to the Wanderers squad for the double-header weekend, while captain David McCracken faces a race against time to be fit after being substituted at Hereford last week due to an injury. Matt Bloomfield has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to knee ligament damage, so Chris Herd is likely to keep his place on the right of midfield. Meanwhile, Tommy Doherty returns from suspension and could return to the starting eleven.
Ticket News:
Click here for all the details regarding tickets for Saturday's fixture.
Officials:
Referee: Mr R LEWIS
Assistants: Mr W TROTT and Mr P QUINN
Fourth Official: Mr J COLLIN
The Stadium:
Named after a former president of the club, Christie Park is 228.3 miles from Adams Park, and the estimated driving time is 3hrs 45mins.
The Odds:
This League Two fixture is too close for the bookies to call, with bet365 offering odds of 6/4 both for Morecambe and Wycombe to collect all three points. A draw is priced at 12/5, while Leon Knight is favourite to grab the first goal at 6/1 and Scott McGleish is 9/4 to find the net at any time throughout the game.
For a full list of odds, visit the bet365 website by clicking here.
Can't make it to Christie Park?
Don't forget you listen to full-match commentary with Ben Campbell and me, Matt Cecil, via the MatchLive service from 2.55pm.
Either Ben or myself will be providing regular updates on the 'Clockwatch' feature when we draw straws ahead of the game, while you can also call Ringing The Blues throughout the match on 09003 446855 (calls cost 60p per minute).
Up The Blues.
Wanderers make the long trip north to Christie Park on Saturday to meet Sammy McIlroy's Morecambe in the first of two crucial fixtures over the Bank Holiday weekend, and Paul Lambert's side will be looking to complete a double over the Shrimpers after recording a 2-0 win at Adams Park in December.
With just eight games to go in the regular League Two season, every match carries extra significance as the Blues still hold aspirations of an automatic promotion place, and their quest would be hugely boosted if they could collect six points from the encounters against Morecambe and Stockport in the space of three days.
The Christie Park side are enjoying an excellent first season in league football following their promotion from the Conference last season, and currently lie in 9th place - just four points short of a play-off place with a game in hand.
However, the Shrimpers have suffered a poor run of form recently, with last week's 3-1 win over Brentford following a run of four straight defeats, and McIlroy's side have only picked up two home victories since the turn of the year.
Wanderers, on the other hand, have enjoyed an excellent away record recently, with just two defeats on the road in the last three months, but Head Coach Ian Culverhouse is under no illusions as to how difficult the game could be:
"It's a massive weekend for us," he told Wanderers World's preview show. "Morecambe got a morale-boosting win last weekend so we won't underestimate them, but all we can do is worry about ourselves. The loss at Hereford hurt the lads last week but we've re-focused and it's a big game for us."
Catch the full Wanderers World preview, including exclusive interviews with Ian Culverhouse and skipper David McCracken, by clicking here.
Team News:
Morecambe: Craig Stanley remains out of action after being placed on the transfer list and young keeper Scott Davies is likely to keep his place between the sticks after a solid display last weekend.
Wycombe: Sergio Torres could return to the Wanderers squad for the double-header weekend, while captain David McCracken faces a race against time to be fit after being substituted at Hereford last week due to an injury. Matt Bloomfield has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to knee ligament damage, so Chris Herd is likely to keep his place on the right of midfield. Meanwhile, Tommy Doherty returns from suspension and could return to the starting eleven.
Ticket News:
Click here for all the details regarding tickets for Saturday's fixture.
Officials:
Referee: Mr R LEWIS
Assistants: Mr W TROTT and Mr P QUINN
Fourth Official: Mr J COLLIN
The Stadium:
Named after a former president of the club, Christie Park is 228.3 miles from Adams Park, and the estimated driving time is 3hrs 45mins.
The Odds:
This League Two fixture is too close for the bookies to call, with bet365 offering odds of 6/4 both for Morecambe and Wycombe to collect all three points. A draw is priced at 12/5, while Leon Knight is favourite to grab the first goal at 6/1 and Scott McGleish is 9/4 to find the net at any time throughout the game.
For a full list of odds, visit the bet365 website by clicking here.
Can't make it to Christie Park?
Don't forget you listen to full-match commentary with Ben Campbell and me, Matt Cecil, via the MatchLive service from 2.55pm.
Either Ben or myself will be providing regular updates on the 'Clockwatch' feature when we draw straws ahead of the game, while you can also call Ringing The Blues throughout the match on 09003 446855 (calls cost 60p per minute).
Up The Blues.
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