Akinfenwa had a mixed day in the East Midlands when he
scored and was sent off in Wycombe’s 2-0 win over Notts County.
Akinfenwa was the focal point of the Wycombe front line and
was key throughout to the attacks Wycombe had. He was excellent in winning aerial
duels against the County defence even though he wasn’t close to them in terms
of his height but his stature was what made him win those duels. When asked how
he gained the ability to be so dominant in duels with defenders he said: “I’m
in the team to do that and it’s something I’ve always had in my game and I use
to help the team”. He was a thorn in the defence’s side and it culminated in
him opening the scoring just before half-time with a brilliant header into the
bottom corner which gave the County keeper no chance.
There was some negatives in his game today. He did have a tendency
to hold onto the defenders at corners and free-kicks and was given a booking
after several of these little challenges. He was given his marching
orders around about 75th minute for a second booking when he clashed
with a County defender but thankfully it didn’t come back to bite as County
failed to create any meaningful chances. Wycombe will have to find alternatives
to Akinfenwa in their next fixture against relegation threatened Leyton Orient.
After the game, Akinfenwa was able to give greater insight
into both the victory and in more general areas on Wycombe and his take on the
FA Cup draw. On the team’s unbeaten run he said: “we’re 8 games unbeaten, we
take every game as it comes, we have Orient next and we have to keep going”. The
team worked well and was efficient both going forward and at the back and
barely looked troubled by County all afternoon. When asked on the influence
Gareth Ainsworth has on the side and whether him being more animated than quiet
is a benefit to the side, he said: “the gaffer is a top guy, both on and off
the field, he heads, shoots and tackles along with the side”. This approach is
obviously working as Wycombe now find themselves pushing up the table now
sitting in 5th place in the league. In the draw for the 3rd round of
the FA Cup, Wycombe were given a home tie against either Akinfenwa’s former
club Northampton or non-league Stourbridge. Akinfenwa’s reaction do it was: “I don’t
mind whether we get Northampton or Stourbridge in the cup, the aim is to go as
far as possible”. Akinfenwa and Wycombe will be hoping to one carry on this
excellent league form and secondly, to get past whatever opponent they get to
maybe get a big side in the 4th round of the cup.
