You are correct.
I was interested after reading a few comments on social media around the football being worse before Bloomfield left and how this may be an unfair comparison with Dodds.
Iām discounting Pizza Cup & FA Cup games, but we drew one and then won 8 in a row in October / November in FA Cup and League. Scoring 22 and conceding 7.
At the time we only played Mansfield, Barnsley and Stockport in top 10 (if I have remembered that correctly).
Then in December / January, up until Bloomfield left on 14th Jan, We won 3 drew 4 and lost 2.
Scoring 12 conceding 9.
1.33 goals per game and 1 conceded.
1.44 pts per game
After Grace interim period, we have W6 D4 L3 under Dodds in the League. Scoring 12 Conceding 7.
0.92 goals per game and 0.54 conceded.
1.69 pts per game
However, I think we played a lot more stronger teams in December/January run - Reading, Bolton, away defeat to Charlton and home defeat to a Huddersfield side unbeaten in 14.
Whilst things had dropped off, it has to be said that was a once in a generation run of 8 wins in a row in the league in the preceding two months.
We have played Birmingham, Reading, Wrexham, Huddersfield in the Top 10 in Dodds run. After smashing Stevenage 0-3 and Shrewsbury 1-4 away under Bloomfield, we have beaten Stevenage 1-0 and drawn with Shrewsbury at home.
Equally we beat Huddersfield away after losing to them at home.
Overall, Dodds has certainly started to get a good points return and current form is a big improvement after 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat in the last 6 league games.
Iām still not convinced but the stats seem to suggest I should be more convinced given the points haul.
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I think heās doing a remarkably good job considering heās somewhat learning on the job. I really hope the football gets better in the entertainment department, but aside from the absolute batshit Rotherham lineup heās doing a decent job.
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I think in that glorious October-early December period we would have beaten anyone in this league. I watched games knowing we would win rather than hoping we would, which is a feeling I donāt think I have ever had as a Wycombe fan before.
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The Batshit Rotherham Lineup that, Somehow, won us the match
My twosense on Dodds is that, hes doing pretty well, chucked in the deep end and keeping us defensively solid. The offence needs to be better but I feel thatās to do with individuals rather than Dodds, Koneās on a bad streak, Udoh only recently coming back into the lineup, McCleary, is an enigma. Leahyā¦ Why?
But I feel that at least guarenting playoffs is a good result, and I feel like all the lambasting negativity towards Dodds and the team is from our minds being used to running away with victories and overblown expectations. Yes you got to have expectations, but at the beginning of the season, youād bite your hand off for being one point behind Wrexham on the final stretch of games and still in the hunt of Automatic promotion.
Should we reach the Championship:
1st step: Release Leahy immediately, heās had games where hes been key, but I donāt feel heās championship material.
2nd: Resign Kone Immediately: Hoard off interest and put a big Transfer Percentage Clause
3rd: Sign Bradley: Who knew weād go from despising him at Luton to Loving him so much. He should have been what Keogh was to Bloomfield
4th: Sign Simons and Get Aaron Morley: Need I say more
5th: Low should stay but If he does go, Integrate Hagelskjaer fully with a pre-season (Probably do that regardless
6th: Integrate Westergaard Fully
7th: Humphreys Goes regardless so try to sign a similar replacement
Should we Stay In League one:
1: Get rid of Leahy: Sign a Proper Left Back
2: Sell Kone for a Decent offer
3: Resign Bradley
4: Integrate the Danes
5: Try to Sign Simons
6: Go after Morley
7: Low probably goes, Try to get another CB
Regardless:
1: Vokes in as a Coach
2: Expand Coaching Staff
3: At least Skura Leaves
4: Integrate Danes
Sometimes I miss the thumbs down button
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I mean, I miss the Thumbs down counter on youtube
I can only reiterate what I said earlier, I am warming to Dodds with each match played & especially with each hard fought win.
He has got better in front of the camera which is good, I dont want him to loose the honesty and plain speaking - so no bloody media training please.
Clearly he has the support of the senior pros, just witness the way they all turned to him at the final whistle in the last two games to thank/congratulate him; if its good enough for them, it should be good enough for us.
I think no matter what he will continue to grow into the job and a full pre season with the squad will see them buy into his ideas etc.
Turning to the squad & some of the comments above
Leahy has been inconsistent but is an important senior member of the squad and has made a number of major contributions across the season, I think he will take more of a peripheral role next season, but cannot see Dodds recommending he is let go.
Left back - seems everyone is forgetting about Harvie who was sensational before his injury, lets hope he gets back to that once fully recovered. Reach was a really high quality cover in that role, though I understand this is not where he wants to play nor is it where Dodds appears to want to play him; lets see what pre-season brings.
At right back we seem to have lots of cover & I forsee Grimmer losing his place to Back or possibly Pattenden both of whom I reckon will continue to develop (especially the former).
At centre back we need to do our best to hold onto Low and Anders needs to be brought up to speed and put a stamp on his spot in the team, Grimmer and Skura give us options and cover but we could do with offering Bradley a 1 year deal to stay as he has been so solid in the centre.
In midfield I believe we have an option (or is it an obligation) to buy Simons & we should definitely exercise that, Scowen needs to stay & Magnus needs to get settled & up to speed. Lowry reminds me of Anis when he first joined us & I think will benefit from pre-season. I do think we need to add some depth with a PL loanee or two in central midfield - we now have a decent track record of nurturing & developing loanees.
As for the forwards, we must secure Koneās signature on a new contract asap, as well as ensuring Udoh stays. We need another central striker as I dont think Hanlan or Lubala are good enough. Out wide GMac has another season in him, but as an impact sub, Fred has underwhelmed so far this year and hasnāt done enough to be a first choice pick, Reach & Berry havenāt played enough to show us what they can offer & Sadlier is MIA (letās hope he gets back soon), I suspect we need another winger to bolster our options.
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Integrate two fellas who can barely get a sniff of League One football, while releasing others who play every week?
See you back in League One August 2026 (if not sooner).
Really liked Mike Dodds interview on the podcast tonight. Balanced and positive without any manager speak BS. I reckon heās starting to grow into the job at the right time. Also love Uri from Mexico City.
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It seems to me Dodds has slowly got the team playing more positively and attacking, either because he has modified his own thoughts on play or because the players have adapted well to his methods. Plenty of chances, few being put away, we need another striker who can score at will, ss Kone did before his injury. We wonāt struggle in the Chpionship as much as last time.
Im going to reamend my points
Keep Leahy
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Itās good, @WilburJnr2025, that you are big enough to acknowledge that Luke Leahy has qualities that may not previously have been as clear to you.
I think it was only the consistent brilliance of Caleb Taylor that prevented Leahy from getting man of the match today.
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Credit to Leahy, he had a blinder today
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First half an hour I was getting annoyed with him pumping it long straight to their keeper. After that though, he was excellent.
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It always amuses me when managers/coaches select players who supporters (Gasroom?) donāt rank. Who is right?
Leahy is a case in point.
As regards Dodds, perhaps his Sunderland experience will reap dividends in our Championship season next year
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Leahy has been one of our best players since the turn of the year. Mike Dodds wonāt need to consult supporters to see that
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I wonder if Leahy now realises that heās far more effective playing left back / left wingback then he is in central midfield. Heās keeping Reach out of the team and thatās testament to how good heās been in reverting back to his natural position. Itās maybe due to that boost in confidence that his freekicks and corners are much better too. Might even be worth getting him back on penalty duties if it wasnāt for Kone chasing the golden boot.
Leahy was top scorer last term and has played a load of games in a Wycombe team looking to win promotion in second place. I think heās decent myself.
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You see, the problem for Leahy is that Harvie is better at left back and we have better midfield options imo.
I also donāt think the tactics weāve used with Leahy at LB suit his strengths. Too many times when he has been LB under Dodds we are defending so deep that Leahyās only real option has been to try and play a long straight ball from inside our own half down the line, which is easily cut out.
Second half on Friday we stepped up quite a bit at the back line and suddenly he was able to be more effective.
Non of this is meant as a dig at Leahy btw, and more of a way we have employed him at LB in recent weeks. But he gets the nod because of his dead ball skills.
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