Taylor Is A Tonic For Wycombe

When Wycombe Wanderers appointed manager Peter Taylor this summer the club was not in the best of health.

Former manager Paul Lambert had just walked out after Wycombe were defeated by Stockport County in the League Two play-off semi finals. The former boss stated that some things didn't 'sit well' with him at the club and without elaborating further, off he went.

Whether you were a Lambert fan or not, it was apparent he had nurtured a good team-spirit and some of the players, already hurting at missing out on promotion, reacted badly to Lambert's departure. A few of the senior members of the team expressed their desire to leave and even went as far as suggesting that other players should consider doing the same thing. Remarks made in the heat of the moment perhaps, but not remarks designed to 'sit well' with loyal Wanderers fans.

Two of the club's more valuable players were then sold to League One new boys Peterborough.

Seeing fans' favourite Sergio Torres and promising Right-back Russell Martin go to the Posh, underlined to Wycombe supporters the cost of not achieving promotion themselves.

Against this backdrop new boss Taylor worked to build bridges with last year's squad whilst bringing in his own signings. It soon became apparent that his preference was to recruit young, hungry, athletic players keen to make their way in the game. Work rate and fitness also figure high on Taylor's list of priorities and it is therefore no surprise that Oakes, Knight and Sutton are no longer with Wycombe.

The fans wondered which Peter Taylor they would get. Would it be the man who was judged a disappointment at Leicester, Palace and (perhaps unfairly) Stevenage. Or would it be the Taylor who had achieved promotion at Gillingham, Brighton and Hull.

Fans' opinions as always, were divided.

It's early days yet, but Wycombe fans have something to be happy about again. The team have made their best ever start to a League season and sit proudly on top of the table. Solid defensive displays have gone hand in hand with a more exciting team when on the attack. Team spirit seems to be be good again and all is set fair for another tilt at the holy grail of promotion from League Two.

Even the biggest sceptic would have to concede that Taylor has done a great job so far in difficult circumstances.

Well done Peter Taylor.

Great start !

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