09 December 2023

No desperation for Matt Bloomfield despite winless run

09 December 2023

Matt Bloomfield understands fans’ frustration with his Wycombe side but insists they are not “desperate” for results.

Taylor Perry’s brilliant long-range strike earned Shrewsbury a 1-0 win and left Wanderers winless in eight League One games.

Bloomfield said: “I understand there will be criticism from the fans and rightly so because of the results. I’m in a results-based business so I get that but they are going against us at the moment.

“Barring the Morecambe performance (in a 2-0 defeat) when I told you guys how unhappy I was with it, we’ve played some very good stuff.

“Desperate is the wrong word if I’m honest as it sends out the wrong message.

“The lads gave me everything and I can’t question their application. It’s just finding that final touch.

“We cut through Shrewsbury but their one shot on target proved to be more than our five. They didn’t get in our box at all, as their goal came from outside the box from 20 yards.

“We also played most of the game in their half and that’s what is going against us at the moment. We need to be better in the opposition box, we need to find that killer instinct.”

Wycombe had started the stronger and could have taken the lead after 21 minutes, Luke Leahy’s free-kick tipped over the bar, before David Wheeler fired wide.

Instead, five minutes before half-time, Shrewsbury hit the front when Perry picked up the ball from distance and drove it home for his third of the season.

A hamstring injury had kept Perry on the sidelines but he showed no ill-effects on his return, with a scorching finish to secure all three points.

And for manager Matty Taylor, who has had to deal with an injury crisis in recent weeks, the performance showed just why he was so keen to get his midfielder back.

He said: “It was an unbelievable goal by Taylor Perry and we want more of that from him, that’s why it was so important for him to come back into the squad and he’s performed really well.

“He was exceptional as well as the rest of the group.

“I don’t actually remember (goalkeeper) Marko Marosi having to make an outstanding save in the game, but I did see everyone put their body on the line for this team.

“Wycombe may not have as many points as they want but to come here against a bigger team in the league and come away with that result, with the players they put on, it’s fantastic.

“I played with Sam Vokes in the Premier League (from 2014 to 2016 with Burnley), Lyle Taylor was at Nottingham Forest last year, and they’ve got a good squad of players.

“But we defended very well and I’m very happy for the fans that travelled here because it’s a long way for them.”

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