Wycombe Wanderers have just under two weeks to wait until they return to league action, which could be a blessing in disguise for manager Matt Bloomfield. The Chairboys changed shape in their most recent match at Blackpool, which saw them grab a foothold in a game they were being dominated in. With this evidence, Bloomfield could have a tactical dilemma on his hands over the international break.
Wanderers started the game as usual, in their natural 4-3-3 which they've predominantly used this season so far. However, after finding themselves 1-0 up against the run of play, Wycombe were firmly battered by their hosts over the next 20 minutes.
After Richard Keogh's side found a deserved equaliser through Kyle Joseph, his counterpart in the other dugout decided to go toe-to-toe with Blackpool, switching to a 3-5-2. This change saw Bloomfield's men begin to match the Seasiders, providing an intriguing battle that ultimately earned the visitors a well-deserved point.
Wycombe's Defensive Concerns
One negative so far for Wycombe this campaign has been the quantity of goals conceded. The Blues have had no trouble finding the back of the net themselves, but are struggling to keep the ball out of their own at the same time. Having conceded eight goals in just four games, which is the joint third-worst defensive record in League One thus far.
Despite getting off the mark last weekend against Rotherham United with a first clean sheet to boot, the Buckinghamshire outfit had to rely on goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli to bail them out multiple times. This was a similar story this weekend in the North-West, as the Argentine made some top-drawer saves to preserve a point for his team.
Whilst the performances of Wycombe's number one are standout, there will be more clinical teams that gobble up the chances afforded to them. Relying on Ravizzoli isn't the answer to the defensive qualms. Summer additions such as Daniel Harvie and Alex Hartridge aren't used to playing in a flat back-four, the former acting mainly as a wing-back for MK Dons, whilst the latter always played on the left of a three for his former club, Exeter City.
The 3-5-2 System and its Impact
When the Chairboys moved to the back three, both Hartridge and Harvie seemed much more comfortable in this system, compared to the back four they started the game with. The whole defensive unit seemed more resolute with an extra man added into the mix, which also allowed more avenues to play out from the back like Bloomfield wanted.
This system has proven to be far better for Wycombe as a whole, after being tried and tested in the Carabao Cup against Swansea City and Northampton Town respectively. Both of these matches yielded wins and clean sheets.
Unfortunately, there is no thought the change of system is an easy option, as doing so could see a few of Bloomfield's more experienced players not fitting the puzzle. Recently appointed club captain Jack Grimmer could be one of the unfortunate ones this happens to.
The Scot is a defensive-minded full-back, having played the vast majority of his career in that position. However, if Wycombe were to use a formation that didn't use full-backs, this could spell trouble for the skipper. The 30-year-old's skill set isn't suited to playing wing-back, with Jasper Pattenden and Jason McCarthy both better suited to that role.
During his time with the Chairboys, Grimmer was deployed as a right-sided centre-back when playing in a formation with three central defenders. Whilst he is better suited to this role than playing wing-back, Grimmer isn't a natural centre-back either. The addition of Caleb Taylor on deadline day, coupled with the recent emergence of Declan Skura could make it very difficult for the former Coventry City man to get a place in the starting eleven.
Another player who the change of shape could hinder is veteran winger Garath McCleary. The 37-year-old is in what could be his final year for the Blues and will be eager to contribute as much as possible if this is to be his swan song. Despite being a natural right-winger, the Jamaican was moved centrally when Wycombe used the 3-5-2 before, acting as a striker.
However, it's unclear whether he'd be chosen to start in this system, as Richard Kone and Daniel Udoh have been linking up well together so far. However, McCleary could still be a very useful impact substitute from the bench.
Bloomfield's Tactical Decision: 3-5-2 or 4-3-3?
As weighed up above, there are pros and cons to both systems. Judging by the way the Wanderers finished last season and the business done in the summer, it's clear Bloomfield has built a squad around the back-four, that can also adapt to the different system when needed.
The three being stronger than the four might have caught the 40-year-old off-guard, as this time last year it was the complete opposite. The League One play-off hopefuls struggled to adapt to the 3-5-2, which saw them barely above the drop zone come January. Whilst it's unlikely that the Chairboys will find themselves in that sort of position if they continue with the back-four, they could be better off than they will be if they decide to stick with the strong three-back.
Of course, this will mean sacrifices to game time for some players. Wingers such as the productive Kieran Sadlier and McCleary would no longer fit the system, which would be incredibly harsh, especially on the former who has been the heartbeat of Wycombe's attacking play.
Despite this, the change of formation could prove to be the answer to the Chairboys' leaky backline, as it accommodates the defensive players better than their current system. Having only conceded a solitary goal in three matches, there is a good case for the Wanderers boss to use the 3-5-2 going forward.
Bloomfield will have to weigh up the pros and cons of each system during the international break. If he thinks his defensive issues can't be resolved whilst using the favoured 4-3-3, he may decide to switch to the system which has provided more stability when used.
A Look at the Blackpool Match
Blackpool had the better of the early stages but were caught napping in the 10th minute when Udoh forced a save from Richard O’Donnell and McCleary headed in an easy rebound.
The Seasiders pushed for a leveller with Dom Ballard hitting the post and finally got it when Joseph headed through a crowd from a 32nd-minute corner.
After the break, the hosts' Ashley Fletcher had a golden opportunity from within six yards but his header was caught by goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli.
The Chairboys took the lead for the second time in the 79th minute. Udoh, easily their best player, fired a powerful low left-foot shot past O’Donnell from 25 yards.
Blackpool may have been down but they were not out and substitute Beesley headed home brilliantly from a free-kick delivery with five minutes left.
The hosts nearly completed the turnaround in added time with another Joseph header but Ravizzoli made an excellent double save to preserve the point for Wycombe.
Reaction to the Match
Wycombe striker Daniel Udoh spoke to FLW after his excellent performance against Blackpool. Bloomfield felt his side ‘were not good enough in the first half of their 2-2 draw at Blackpool.
The Chairboys took the lead through a Garath McCleary rebound, but that was cancelled out by Kyle Joseph before half-time.
Bloomfield said: “I didn’t think we were good enough in the first half.
“We’ve had maybe 24 hours less to prepare than Blackpool.
“We’ve had a long week on the road, and I thought we just weren’t that half a yard closer to people than we should’ve been from the start, which was disappointing.
“We changed shape and I thought we got loads better. Then probably the biggest disappointment is that once we got ourselves ahead, we were in control of the game.
“I felt really, really comfortable – and the equaliser was offside.
“So, I guess a couple of things went against us, but on the balance of play, it was probably a fair result.
“It’s disappointing really because we work a lot and we’ve spoken a lot this week about our back line trying to squeeze on their strikers. It’s unfortunate because they squeezed the line and left him in there, and then they played the cross and he’s (Beesley) only got on the wrong side of Joe Low because he’s offside.
“But, it’s been a very, very good week. To go Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday with a win-win-draw, I think if you’d have offered me that last Saturday morning I would have taken it.
“So, there’s plenty to be pleased about, plenty to work on, but a few contentious decisions in there today.”
His opposite number and Wycombe teammate, Richard Keogh, who is in intierm charge of the ex-Premier League club, shared his views on the draw.
He said: “I think, in terms of chances created, we probably deserved to win the game, but the reality is that we drew it.
“There’s a few things we need to need to correct, but overall I thought we played very well.
“This week I’ve been focusing on giving back to the group.
“We’ve not have many training days, really – it’s been a lot of recovery days, and tactical days.
“You’ve got to prepare for the games when you’re playing against really good opponents.
“So, I just wanted to give the lads a good game plan. They’re the ones carrying it out and credit to them.
“There’s still loads for us to work on. I think we’re getting punished for every little mistake we’re making at the moment, and the only way you get through is by working hard.
“By getting on to the training ground, by trying to get make ourselves better. And we have to keep enjoying the work.
“We want to push each other, and as long as we’re doing that on the training pitch, then we give ourselves a good opportunity to improve.”
Wycombe's next match is against Morecambe on September 14th at Adams Park.
