THE BIG MATCH PREVIEW
Posted on: Sun 11 May 2008
By Matt Cecil
So this is what it comes down to. 46 games of blood, sweat and tears have passed and now Wanderers' fate will be determined by events over the next three weeks. It all starts with the visit of Stockport County to Adams Park on Sunday evening, and the most highly-anticipated game of the season so far is almost upon us.
This millennium has now seen the Blues make it to four semi-finals, including the sensational FA Cup and Carling Cup adventures of recent years, but now is the moment for Paul Lambert's men to make an even bigger name for themselves by firstly getting to Wembley and secondly, winning there.
But it won't be easy. Virtually no newspaper articles in the build-up to this game have failed to mention THAT scoreline from December when the two teams met at Edgeley Park, but what they often fail to mention is the tense 0-0 affair at Adams Park two months ago which gives a better indication of what to expect on Sunday evening.
County enter the play-offs somewhat disappointed at missing out on automatic promotion after an incredibly strong run leading up to the climax of the campaign, but ultimately they fell short and will need to pick themselves up again for the play-off matches.
On the other hand, Wanderers enter the knock-out situation in buoyant mood, losing just one of their final eight matches of the regular campaign, and manager Paul Lambert is confident that his men have what it takes to slay Jim Gannon's Hatters:
"We'll be ready for it," he declared with a knowing authority. "In the two years I've been here the lads have been terrific and I've got a great belief in the people around me. No matter if we play home or away, I always think that we're not going to get beaten and it's no different this time around."
Meanwhile, County boss Jim Gannon may have done the Blues a favour by providing the perfect ammunition for a pre-match team-talk, boasting that Wycombe were "fearful" of his men when the two teams met in March, but he's not getting too carried away as he assesses County's chances:
"Wycombe will be decent opponents for us," he said. "We're going to be looking to put in a solid performance and if we get a draw we'll be happy with that."
There simply is nowhere better to be on Sunday evening than at Adams Park. Come along and get behind the Blues as they look to gain the upper hand ahead of next week's trip to Greater Manchester and enjoy a fantastic atmosphere around the ground.
Team News:
Wycombe: Paul Lambert was keeping his cards close to his chest when wwfc.com quizzed him about his team selection, with a number of players fighting it out for different positions. Nevertheless, the 'gaffer' has no new injury concerns to deal with, which means that Scott Shearer and Matt Bloomfield are the only definite absentees from his squad.
Stockport: The Hatters are sweating on the fitness of top scorer Liam Dickinson, who has been struggling with a hamstring problem, while Jason Taylor and John Ruddy are slight doubts for the clash after recent injuries.
Officials:
Referee: Mr D DEADMAN
Assistants: Mr G EVETTS and Mr J PEARCE
Fourth Official: Mr C PENTON
Cheshunt-based official Mr Deadman has shown 94 yellow and five red cards in his 31 games this season and took charge of the Blues' 2-2 draw at Dagenham in August, where he awarded a last-minute penalty to the Wanderers for a foul on Sergio Torres.
However, he's not too popular amongst County fans for postponing their FA Cup clash with Staines Town earlier this season, and the Hatters lost the re-arranged clash on penalties.
Betting:
Wanderers are the favourites to win the first leg with odds of 13/10 compared to County's 21/10, while a draw is somewhere in between at 11/5.
Scott McGleish has never scored in the play-offs but back him to break his duck this weekend with a goal at anytime in the match, priced at 2/1. Fancy an Oakesy special to open the scoring? Get your money on the Blues midfielder at 11/1.
For a full list of odds, visit the bet365 website here.
What's on at Adams Park?
As well as a bumper crowd inside the HP12 stadium, the Sky Sports cameras will be present to broadcast the action live around the world, so make sure you're suitably decked in your blue quarters just in case you get caught on camera.
There are all sorts of community events around the ground ahead of kick-off so keep an eye out for those, while John Hampden's Year 9 football team will be paraded on the pitch to celebrate their recent win in the ESFA National Cup.
Countdown to Kick-Off will go live on the big screen from about 5.15pm with highlights from the whole season so far, and all the kiosks around the ground will be fully stocked with the usual refreshments for you to enjoy throughout the match.
And 'Adams Park Review' will be on sale at the usual outlets for the last time this season, so make sure to get your hands on a copy of this edition which contains columns by Paul Lambert, Leon Knight and Keith Allen, as well as a number of special features.
Tickets for the clash at Edgeley Park next Saturday will go on general sale immediately after full-time on Sunday, so please be patient if there is a long queue outside the ticket office.
Can't make it to the game?
The simple solution is to find a local bar or pub which will be showing the game live on Sky Sports from 5.55pm, but don't forget you can keep up-to-date with all of the action via the MatchLive service on Wanderers World.
Bill Turnbull and Ross Jeavons will be providing a full-match commentary while Ben Campbell will be updating the 'Clockwatch' service with minute-by-minute details from the game. You can also call Ringing The Blues throughout the match on 09003 446855 (calls cost 60p per minute), and BBC Three Counties Radio will also be broadcasting a full commentary on 98FM with Ian Stringer, Euan Duncan and one of the Wanderers' first-team squad.
You can always keep informed with all the news from the club on your mobile phone - click here for more details - and last but by no means least, don't forget you can watch 'Countdown To Kick-Off' on Wanderers World from 2.15pm.
Please come and get behind the team on Sunday evening - your support means everything to the club and it could make all the difference.
Up The Blues.
So this is what it comes down to. 46 games of blood, sweat and tears have passed and now Wanderers' fate will be determined by events over the next three weeks. It all starts with the visit of Stockport County to Adams Park on Sunday evening, and the most highly-anticipated game of the season so far is almost upon us.
This millennium has now seen the Blues make it to four semi-finals, including the sensational FA Cup and Carling Cup adventures of recent years, but now is the moment for Paul Lambert's men to make an even bigger name for themselves by firstly getting to Wembley and secondly, winning there.
But it won't be easy. Virtually no newspaper articles in the build-up to this game have failed to mention THAT scoreline from December when the two teams met at Edgeley Park, but what they often fail to mention is the tense 0-0 affair at Adams Park two months ago which gives a better indication of what to expect on Sunday evening.
County enter the play-offs somewhat disappointed at missing out on automatic promotion after an incredibly strong run leading up to the climax of the campaign, but ultimately they fell short and will need to pick themselves up again for the play-off matches.
On the other hand, Wanderers enter the knock-out situation in buoyant mood, losing just one of their final eight matches of the regular campaign, and manager Paul Lambert is confident that his men have what it takes to slay Jim Gannon's Hatters:
"We'll be ready for it," he declared with a knowing authority. "In the two years I've been here the lads have been terrific and I've got a great belief in the people around me. No matter if we play home or away, I always think that we're not going to get beaten and it's no different this time around."
Meanwhile, County boss Jim Gannon may have done the Blues a favour by providing the perfect ammunition for a pre-match team-talk, boasting that Wycombe were "fearful" of his men when the two teams met in March, but he's not getting too carried away as he assesses County's chances:
"Wycombe will be decent opponents for us," he said. "We're going to be looking to put in a solid performance and if we get a draw we'll be happy with that."
There simply is nowhere better to be on Sunday evening than at Adams Park. Come along and get behind the Blues as they look to gain the upper hand ahead of next week's trip to Greater Manchester and enjoy a fantastic atmosphere around the ground.
Team News:
Wycombe: Paul Lambert was keeping his cards close to his chest when wwfc.com quizzed him about his team selection, with a number of players fighting it out for different positions. Nevertheless, the 'gaffer' has no new injury concerns to deal with, which means that Scott Shearer and Matt Bloomfield are the only definite absentees from his squad.
Stockport: The Hatters are sweating on the fitness of top scorer Liam Dickinson, who has been struggling with a hamstring problem, while Jason Taylor and John Ruddy are slight doubts for the clash after recent injuries.
Officials:
Referee: Mr D DEADMAN
Assistants: Mr G EVETTS and Mr J PEARCE
Fourth Official: Mr C PENTON
Cheshunt-based official Mr Deadman has shown 94 yellow and five red cards in his 31 games this season and took charge of the Blues' 2-2 draw at Dagenham in August, where he awarded a last-minute penalty to the Wanderers for a foul on Sergio Torres.
However, he's not too popular amongst County fans for postponing their FA Cup clash with Staines Town earlier this season, and the Hatters lost the re-arranged clash on penalties.
Betting:
Wanderers are the favourites to win the first leg with odds of 13/10 compared to County's 21/10, while a draw is somewhere in between at 11/5.
Scott McGleish has never scored in the play-offs but back him to break his duck this weekend with a goal at anytime in the match, priced at 2/1. Fancy an Oakesy special to open the scoring? Get your money on the Blues midfielder at 11/1.
For a full list of odds, visit the bet365 website here.
What's on at Adams Park?
As well as a bumper crowd inside the HP12 stadium, the Sky Sports cameras will be present to broadcast the action live around the world, so make sure you're suitably decked in your blue quarters just in case you get caught on camera.
There are all sorts of community events around the ground ahead of kick-off so keep an eye out for those, while John Hampden's Year 9 football team will be paraded on the pitch to celebrate their recent win in the ESFA National Cup.
Countdown to Kick-Off will go live on the big screen from about 5.15pm with highlights from the whole season so far, and all the kiosks around the ground will be fully stocked with the usual refreshments for you to enjoy throughout the match.
And 'Adams Park Review' will be on sale at the usual outlets for the last time this season, so make sure to get your hands on a copy of this edition which contains columns by Paul Lambert, Leon Knight and Keith Allen, as well as a number of special features.
Tickets for the clash at Edgeley Park next Saturday will go on general sale immediately after full-time on Sunday, so please be patient if there is a long queue outside the ticket office.
Can't make it to the game?
The simple solution is to find a local bar or pub which will be showing the game live on Sky Sports from 5.55pm, but don't forget you can keep up-to-date with all of the action via the MatchLive service on Wanderers World.
Bill Turnbull and Ross Jeavons will be providing a full-match commentary while Ben Campbell will be updating the 'Clockwatch' service with minute-by-minute details from the game. You can also call Ringing The Blues throughout the match on 09003 446855 (calls cost 60p per minute), and BBC Three Counties Radio will also be broadcasting a full commentary on 98FM with Ian Stringer, Euan Duncan and one of the Wanderers' first-team squad.
You can always keep informed with all the news from the club on your mobile phone - click here for more details - and last but by no means least, don't forget you can watch 'Countdown To Kick-Off' on Wanderers World from 2.15pm.
Please come and get behind the team on Sunday evening - your support means everything to the club and it could make all the difference.
Up The Blues.
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