Pompey v Wycombe: The opposition view

It started very strongly and has fluctuated between having good runs of form to some poor spells.

Presently, Gareth Ainsworth’s side have won one of their past eight – and none of their final five.

Of late they have struggled with injuries to what is a small squad, the results reflecting that disadvantage at a crucial stage of the campaign.

It all seems to be petering out a little bit as the end to the season approaches, despite being four points adrift of the play-off spots with three matches remaining.

Wycombe have struggled to score goals for most of the season, instead their League Two position has been built on a solid defence.

They have the best defensive record in the league, with 38 goals conceded, while are the fourth-lowest scorers.

You can instantly see where the problem lies by looking at those statistics, and it has been there during the entire campaign.

Little surprise then that when you are talking about players who have done well, many are defenders.

Certainly, it is hard to pick out attacking players.

Aaron Pierre has been consistently solid at the back, while Jason McCarthy has impressed on loan from Southampton at either right-back or the centre of defence.

None of the strikers have really put their hand up too well, although Garry Thompson has been the most likely goal threat with eight goals in 46 games.

Luke O’Nien is presently out with a knee injury, but the midfielder has netted five times.

He has decent energy and, since being sidelined last month following a 1-0 win over Mansfield, has really been missed.

O’Nien can definitely make a difference to the side in the middle of the park, yet Ainsworth has had to cope without him for the past five matches.

Interestingly, his last appearance was also the Chairboys’ most recent victory.

Marcus Bean is a Pompey old boy and continues to do the right things, breaking up play and moving the ball very nicely.

When fit he has been an automatic choice in the side and continues to be a decent and very reliable performer for Ainsworth.

Now aged 31, the former QPR midfielder has made 29 appearances this season.

Left-back Joe Jacobson has the most assists with eight and could face Pompey following injury.