Gareth Ainsworth blames “suicidal defending” for Wycombe defeat



Posted Sunday, September 30, 2018 by PA

Gareth Ainsworth blames “suicidal defending” for Wycombe defeat

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth was left fuming after seeing his side slip to a 3-2 defeat against Southend which continued their miserable winless home record.

Ainsworth’s men may have scored two late goals through Craig Mackail-Smith and Adebayo Akinfenwa  but the damage had already been done by the visitors.

Theo Robinson had fired Southend in front, Tom Hopper made it two eight minutes after the restart and five minutes later Simon Cox fired home for number three.

Ainsworth said: “We were far too open at times, even though we did show some spirit at the end there.

“You just can’t defend like we did and expect to get a result. Some of the defending was terrible.

“To be honest, I didn’t think there was too much between the two teams in the first half. We had a few chances here and there, but we weren’t clinical enough. Their second goal was a real killer for us.

“We had been chucking things at Southend to a certain extent until then, and maybe even gambling a bit too much, but some suicidal defending has proved costly in the end.

“This is League One and we’re going to have days like this. It’s a tough league and I’ve found out a bit more about some players today.

“Credit to the lads for getting the two goals towards the end, and if we had got another that would have been phenomenal, but a draw would have been harsh on Southend.

“We weren’t good enough on the day and now we have to do something about that this week.”

Robinson broke the deadlock for Southend, tapping home a smart cross from Tom Hopper in the 38th minute.

Southend doubled their lead eight minutes after the restart when Hopper smashed Ben Coker’s cross into the roof of the net.

Five minutes later it was three when Simon Cox fired home clinically into the corner after being sent through by Jason Demetriou.

Wycombe substitute Mackail-Smith volleyed home a late goal before Akinfenwa pounced from close range in the 86th minute to ensure a tense final few minutes for Southend, but they held on.

Southend manager Chris Powell said: “The goals at the end made it a lot harder for us than it should have been.

“For the first 80 minutes we were absolutely cruising. We put in a terrific performance all across the pitch.

“We looked a threat time after time and we really ought to have scored more than three in the end.

“It would have been so hard on us if Wycombe had got another in the final minutes. We definitely wouldn’t have deserved that.

“This result will give everyone around the place a lift. We played some excellent stuff over the course of the 90 minutes.

“When we’re in the mood, like we were in the first hour certainly, our lads showed that they can compete with anyone in this division.

“It’s pleasing when hard work pays off with a result on the road.

“Everyone puts the hours in and it’s extremely satisfying when you go back home with the three points.”

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