Football Season Guide

Gareth Ainsworth almost pulled off one of the most remarkable escapes from relegation as Wycombe Wanderers finished just a point shy of safety in the Championship. Promotion to the second tier of English football was sensational in itself and he now faces the challenge of repeating the feat as they return to League One. The small club from the Chair Metropolis are up against some huge clubs, with similarly huge budgets and they will have to recover from the blow of losing some influential players. The departures of three key loanees in Josh Knight, Dennis Adeniran and Admiral Muskwe were expected but the sale of winger Fred Onyedinma to Luton Town and striker Uche Ikpeazu to Middlesbrough are particularly painful. Replacing them will be difficult, especially Ikpeazu, who is an almost unique player. Some might compare him to talismanic striker Adebayo Akinfenwa, who has signed on for one last season at Adams Park whilst striker Sam Vokes has something to prove following a disappointing spell at Stoke City. Midfielder Josh Scowen returns to the club where he made his name whilst winger Sullay Kaikai will be looking to make his mark following his release by Blackpool. Despite their recent success the Chairboys are still a small fish in a big pond and Ainsworth may have to wait until the end of the transfer window to make further additions to his squad. He can still rely on the likes of goalkeeper David Stockdale and full-backs Jack Grimmer and Joe Jacobson whilst there are great expectations for 20-year-old midfield playmaker Anis Mehmeti.