Football Season Guide

It was a season of two halves for Wycombe Wanderers as they were unable to build upon a remarkable start and were beaten in a two-legged play-off semi-final by Charlton Athletic. Manager Matt Bloomfield built a squad that lost just two of their opening 22 league matches, even climbing above Champions Birmingham City. The Chairboys were still there on New Year’s Day but 14 days later Bloomfield was appointed Luton Town manager. Why someone who made 558 appearances in twenty years for the club and overcame the transition from legendary boss Gareth Ainsworth to guide his side to the top of the table would choose to leave remains to be answered. A breakdown in the relationship between Bloomfield and those appointed to run the club on behalf of Georgian billionaire Mikheil Lomtadze is one possible explanation. There has been significant investment in the club, both on and off the field, including the establishment of an academy, but the scattergun recruitment in January following Bloomfield’s departure simply added to the problems. Former Birmingham City and Sunderland coach Mike Dodds has been unable to establish any momentum, describing the first few months since his appointment as a “whirlwind.” Striker Richard Kone struggled to rediscover his form after injury and the loss of loan midfielder Aaron Morley saw a progressive, attacking side full of goals turn into an unrecognisable, unimaginative team relying on the defensive strengths of centre-backs Caleb Taylor and Sonny Bradley. Both have left this summer and the spine of the team has been completely ripped out. January’s incoherent recruitment strategy has continued with standout signing Taylor Allen set to start in a back four despite having excelled as part of a back three with Walsall. He’ll form part of a new central defensive partnership in front of a new goalkeeper and behind a new-look midfield. There’ll be a new attack too if the club look to cash in on Richard Kone.