Wycombe manager Matt Bloomfield hopes his side can continue the improvement that has propelled them up the League One table, as their revival continued with a 2-0 victory over Blackpool.
After seeing their play-off push fall away after Bloomfield succeeded Gareth Ainsworth in February, the Chairboys opened their season with back-to-back three-goal defeats.
This put some early pressure on Bloomfield’s shoulders, but things are starting to click for the man who made 558 appearances for the club as a player, as Wycombe extended their unbeaten run to five games and moved up to seventh.
Bloomfield said: “We believe in continual improvement and we have to make sure that we right some wrongs, but the overriding feeling of today is pride in the performance and pride at the environment around the ground.
“I was touched by the supporters singing my name at the end – they’ve obviously been supporting us for a number of years while I was here [as a player] through thick and thin and that was a special moment.
“Evolution is never easy, evolution looks messy and clunky at times and certainly in my tenure here it’s looked messy at times, and I’m sure there will be some of those moments moving forward.
“But we’re really keen and really driven as a staff to imprint what we believe in the boys and the boys are really driven to take it on and deliver.”
Wycombe were ahead after 12 minutes when Sam Vokes met Kane Vincent-Young’s header and although Daniel Grimshaw saved his header, the Welshman was on hand to tap in the rebound.
Brandon Hanlan then gave the Chairboys a deserved 2-0 lead less than a minute into the second half when he volleyed in Garath McCleary’s cross at the back post.
Blackpool belatedly responded and would have forced a big finish to the game had it not been for Wycombe goalkeeper Max Stryjek making excellent saves from Olly Casey and Sonny Carey.
Seasiders boss Neil Critchley said: “A little bit more than disappointed if I’m honest.
“You know what type of game to expect here; they get the ball forward early, they’ve got players at the top end of the pitch that are strong and they can build momentum in the game by winning first balls and second balls.
“I just felt we allowed them to build that momentum early in the game, so if you concede like we conceded from not stopping a cross and defending in the box, you’re on the back foot straight away.
“We did that in our last away game and we’ve done it again today.
“I just didn’t think we were at the level that is required in this type of game in the first half.”
Arsenal sign World Cup winner Caldentey from Barcelona
Arsenal have signed Barcelona's World Cup-winning forward Mariona Caldentey on a free transfer, following the departure of Vivianne Miedema.
The Gunners have been looking to strengthen their attacking options since announcing Miedema – the all-time leading scorer in the Women's Super League – would leave at the end of her contract.
They have now swooped for Caldentey after she called time on her 10-year stint with Barcelona, for whom she made 302 appearances and scored 114 goals.
She scored 58 of those goals in the Spanish top flight, a tally only bettered by Asisat Oshoala (92), Alexia Putellas (80) and Jenni Hermoso (70) for Barcelona.
"I think what Arsenal are doing as a club is amazing – on and off the pitch," Caldentay, who helped Spain beat England in the 2023 World Cup final, told the club's website.
"It's been incredible to see what the club has done away from the pitch, with supporters following the team everywhere and lots of records being broken.
"I can't wait to get started and help the team win trophies and entertain our supporters."
'Heartbroken' Leeds United confirm Gray sale to Tottenham
Archie Gray has joined Tottenham from a "heartbroken" Leeds United in a deal reportedly worth up to £40million.
Gray, the great nephew of Leeds great Eddie Gray, enjoyed a breakthrough season at Elland Road last season.
The 18-year-old made 47 appearances in the Championship for Daniel Farke's team in 2023-24, as Leeds lost to Southampton in the play-off final.
And the Whites have confirmed that a clause in the youngster's contract, which became active when Leeds failed to return to the Premier League, opened the door for teams to swoop.
Gray seemed destined to move to Brentford over the weekend, undertaking a medical with the Bees, until Leeds rejected the payment structure of a £35m offer.
That enabled Spurs to come in and sign the midfielder.
Leeds posted on X that they were "heartbroken to see one of our own depart".
In a separate transaction, however, Joe Rodon has moved from Spurs to Leeds.
The Wales defender spent last season on loan at Elland Road.
Wimbledon: Raducanu inspired by England 'winning ugly' at Euro 2024
Emma Raducanu used England's comeback win over Slovakia at Euro 2024 as motivation ahead of her Wimbledon opener.
Raducanu was handed a boost on Monday when her planned first-round opponent - world number 22 Ekaterina Alexandrova - withdrew due to illness.
But the 2021 US Open champion did not put in the most convincing display as she beat lucky loser Renata Zarazua 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 on Centre Court.
Nevertheless, Raducanu got the job done, much like Gareth Southgate's side as Jude Bellingham's stunner and Harry Kane's header secured an extra-time win over Slovakia in Germany, despite another poor display.
Raducanu, however, believes England's progress to the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 shows that "winning ugly" is sometimes the way forward.
"I was nervous, I think everyone could see that in my tennis, but at the end of the day you have to do whatever it takes to get over the line," said Raducanu, who wore an England shirt to practice on Sunday.
"Honestly, watching the football [on Sunday], it was winning ugly – it all counts."
Raducanu suggested the late switch of opponent did not help.
"For the past three days, I've been playing and setting up practice for similar opponents and then it is a change of plan," said Raducanu.
"It took a little bit of adjusting and finding my feet.
"But I’d like to thank everyone for their support in the crucial moments. I enjoyed playing back here."
Raducanu will face Elise Mertens in the next round, and is delighted to have progressed as she aims to build on a solid grass-court swing so far.
"I said I'd be over the moon if I won my first round here, and I really am," the 21-yea
"I feel the joy of being on site, the joy to be part of the buzz. I'm really just enjoying myself."
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