Preview: Wycombe Wanderers v Scunthorpe United

Wycombe Wanderers entertain Scunthorpe United on Saturday in their first league game of the season.

Here's a look at how the two sides fared last season.....

The Iron were relegated from the Championship.

Home - W:5 D:5 L:13 GF:21 GA:40 Pts:20

Away - W:7 D:1 L:15 GF:22 GA:47 Pts:22

Total - W:12 D:6 L:28 GF:43 GA:87 Pts:42

Final position: 24th


The Blues were promoted from League Two.

Home - W:12 D:6 L:5 GF:38 GA:25 Pts:42

Away - W:10 D:8 L:5 GF:31 GA:25 Pts:38

Total - W:22 D:14 L:10 GF:69 GA:50 Pts:80

Final position: 3rd


Memories of Bury and Southend are still fresh in the mind, but the new season is already upon us, and just like the last time they were promoted, Wycombe open their campaign against a side who were playing in the Championship only a few months ago.

Both these clubs have gone from one extreme to the other in recent years, the Blues chalking-up two promotions and one relegation in the last three seasons, and the Iron going up three times and down twice in the last seven.

A thrilling 3-2 victory over Millwall at Wembley in the 2009 League One play-off final was arguably the visitors' most memorable promotion, but topping the same division with 90 points two years earlier was a far more impressive achievement.

Now managed by former Bury boss Alan Knill, the Iron have made only three new signings this summer, but are hoping to clinch a deal for Blackburn defender Gavin Gunning in time for Saturday's match.

The Blues have signed five new players and retained the services of loanee Scott Donnelly, but with Elliot Benyon, Stuart Lewis, Matt Bloomfield and Kevin Betsy ruled out of Saturday's game, while Leon Johnson and Dave Winfield fight to recover in time, the starting line-up certainly won't be Wycombe's strongest.

In an ideal world everyone would be available for the opener, but this season is likely to be a long hard slog where strength in depth and team-spirit are crucial, and now's as good a time as any to see how we cope.

The pre-season performances of Joel Grant and James Tunnicliffe are cause for optimism, but the absence of Lewis on Saturday may be harder to cover.


Scunthorpe's summer signings

Jordan Robertson (Striker) St Johnstone

Jimmy Ryan (Winger) Accrington Stanley

Andy Barcham (Winger) Gillingham


Wycombe's summer signings

Elliot Benyon (Striker) Swindon Town (on-loan)

Scott Donnelly (Midfielder) Swansea City (on-loan)

Joel Grant (Winger) Crewe Alexandra

Ben Harding (Midfielder) Aldershot Town

John Halls (Midfielder) Aldershot Town

James Tunnicliffe (Centre-half) Brighton & Hove Albion


Scunthorpe in pre-season

Bottesford Town 0 Scunthorpe 7

Winterton Rangers 1 Scunthorpe 3

Halifax Town 1 Scunthorpe 0

Gainsborough Trinity 0 Scunthorpe 1

Lincoln City 1 Scunthorpe 1

Rotherham United 0 Scunthorpe 2

Scunthorpe 0 Barnsley 5


Wycombe in pre-season

Staines Town 0 Wycombe 5

Chelsea 3 Wycombe 0

Braintree Town 2 Wycombe 1

Wycombe 0 Crystal Palace 0

Wycombe 0 West Ham United 0

Wealdstone 1 Wycombe 1

Northampton Town 2 Wycombe 1


Previous League Meetings

In 6 previous meetings there have been 3 wins for Wycombe, 1 for Scunthorpe and 2 draws.

At Adams Park there have been 2 wins for Wycombe and 1 draw.

1993/94: Lg2 Scunthorpe 0 Wycombe 0

1993/94: Lg2 Wycombe 2 Scunthorpe 2

1999/00: Lg1 Scunthorpe 0 Wycombe 1

1999/00: Lg1 Wycombe 2 Scunthorpe 1

2004/05: Lg2 Scunthorpe 2 Wycombe 0

2004/05: Lg2 Wycombe 2 Scunthorpe 1


The Man In The Middle

Saturday's referee is Steve Rushton from Staffordshire who was promoted to the National List of referees in 2009. His most recent Wycombe game was last season's 4-1 defeat at Chesterfield.


Prediction

Wycombe 1 Scunthorpe 1

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