Can returning fans help Wycombe stop Coventry from nine-in-a-row winning streak?

Coventry travel to Wycombe on Saturday hoping to continue two streaks, They are unbeaten in their last six matches this season but have also beaten their hosts in every one of their last eight games.

Since their win over Birmingham City on November 4th, the Chairboys have lost three and drawn four in a seven game winless streak. They have scored just four and conceded eight in that run which suggests that the problems are more up front than at the back.

“As the  fans return, Gareth Ainsworth hopes it is the opposition players rather than his own that end up being sent  to Coventry.”

Wycombe are attempting to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat at Barnsley in South Yorkshire.

Callum Styles gave the Tykes a 30th minute lead before Cauley Woodrow and Joe Jacobsen traded second half penalties.

Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Three Counties Radio:

“We weren’t at the races as much as we have been lately.

“For the last eight games we have been hugely competitive but sometimes it is a step too far with these fixture lists.

“Barnsley weren’t great but played better stuff than us. The penalty was a bad one to concede but there are some real positives in there.

“We are gelling as a team and Garath McClearly is causing havoc up top. I am not going to dwell on this one too much.”

With Derby picking up an excellent though surprising point at Brentford, that loss dropped Wycombe to 23rd place.

Like Derby, Coventry also had a goalless draw in midweek, when neither they nor Luton Town could find the net at St Andrews.

That enabled QPR, Preston Barnsley and Birmingham to overtake them. Coventry’s 19th position probably looks more perilous than it is, as 20th placed Rotherham lie five points adrift of the Sky Blues.

Coach Mark Robins was not overtly angry with the draw, telling local media:

“We struggled to find the energy. We didn’t make any changes from Saturday and we were just a little bit lacking.

“We didn’t keep the ball well enough and couldn’t find that little but of inspiration and width.

“It’s not a big squad. We have limited options. But, in the end, I’ll settle for a point and a clean sheet and we’re six games unbeaten now.”

The sides have met ten times before with Coventry 9-1 up with no draws.

Both sides were in League One last year. City won 4-1 at Adams Park and the early end to the season saved Wanderers from the return fixture. Coventry have won the last eight including three in cups, outscoring the Buckinghamshire side by 18-6.

Wanderers’ only win over Coventry was a pyhrric one, when the sides met in the League Cup Second round during the 1992/93 season.

Two first half goals from Steve Morgan and another after the interval from Micky Quinn had sent an estimated 4000 strong Wanderers contingent home unhappy from the first leg in Coventry.

But the return return leg on October 5, 1993 saw Wycombe pick up the solitary win.  Goals from Keith Ryan, Keith Scott and Terry Evans sent the tie to extra-time after Wanderers overcame that 3-0 first leg deficit.

Amazingly, Jason Cousins who was returning from suspension after back-to-back red cards, scored a long range effort to put the Chairboys 4-0 upon the night and 4-3 up on aggregate.

However Phil Babb and Steve Morgan pulled goals back for City in an eventual 4-2 win for Wycombe, who went out 5-4 on aggregate.

The fans are back tomorrow and Wycombe have issued an ‘essential fan guide” to watching football at Adams Park under current rules.

“There will be a maximum of 2,000 supporters in the stadium, in line with Tier 2 government regulations. Tickets have been allocated to season ticket holders, executive box holders and key sponsors.

There will be four food trucks in the car park before the game: Burgers & Hot Dogs, Barbarian Grill, Tripoli Express (Lebanese) and German Sausage House. Soft drinks will be available, but the club were denied permission by the Safety Advisory Group to sell alcohol to supporters apart from those in hospitality suites. You will be permitted to take your food and drink into the stadium.”

Wycombe’s Jack Grimmer will play against his former club for whom he made over 50 appearances.

His former boss Mark Robins feels the presence of fans, not currently allowed at their home games, gives Wycombe an unfair advantage. He told the Coventry Evening Telegraph:

“It’s the first time we have played in front of supporters since March 7.

“I think it’s a little bit of an unlevel playing field because we haven’t got supporters there. It isn’t fair is it? But life’s not fair.

“The fact is there are people in the stadium. Whether they are booing, cheering or partisan or not, who cares! At least there’s an atmosphere.

“Whether it’s 2,000 fans or not, they’ll be loud and noisy but at least there’s going to be an atmosphere. That’s a key thing.”

That the Chairboys fans will be loud is not in doubt.

Whether Gareth Ainsworth’s team give them something to be loud about and end their Coventry hoodoo is yet to be seen.

Ainsworth’s hope is that it is the opposition players rather than his own that end up being sent  to Coventry.

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