AFC Bournemouth
The Cherries return to action against Wycombe Wanderers with an increased number of 2,000 fans set to attend in the hope of watching their side continue their impressive recent form on Tuesday evening (7.45pm).
The Chairboys arrive at Vitality Stadium looking to end an eight-game winless run, but with confidence raised by good performances in the narrow 2-1 losses to Barnsley and Coventry City in their last two outings.
In the second tier this season for the first time in their history, Wycombe sit second bottom in the standings, but showed in October and November that they're not in the Championship just to make up the numbers.
Gareth Ainsworth's side won back-to-back fixtures against Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City in late October, before claiming successive draws against Brentford, Huddersfield and Derby the following month.
Prior to Tuesday's match afcb.co.uk spoke with Phil Catchpole, BBC Three Counties Radio's Wycombe commentator and host of the Ringing the Blues podcast, for a lowdown on the Chairboys.
WYCOMBE WANDERERS IN PROFILE
Head coach: Gareth Ainsworth (Appointed September 2012)
Club captain: Matt Bloomfield
Last game: Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Coventry City (Championship)
Leading goalscorer 2020/21: Scott Kashket (four in Championship)
League position: 23rd
Past six league results: DDLDLL
afcb.co.uk: What's the mood in Buckinghamshire at this point in the club's first campaign at this level?
PC: It's a strange season for Wycombe because no-one was expecting them in the Championship - and I think you can include the Wycombe fans in that.
It's a big step up from League One and the last few weeks have been tough because they had a decent run of fixture about six weeks ago which made people believe Wycombe could really compete in the league after the first few weeks when it was pretty dicey.
At the start of the season I think the fans were just happy to be here and there are a few fans starting to get frustrated now because it's so tight and there's not much in the games - but I think that's a great thing because it means the team aren't too far away.
afcb.co.uk: How have the returning fans at Adams Park enjoyed the football they've seen?
PC: The fans have been made up to get in. The first game against Stoke there were 1,000 fans and then 2,000 this weekend against Coventry, I spoke to quite a lot of people and I think a few of them had written off the season and being able to see them in the Championship - missing it if it turns out to be their only season there.
There are fans who have been coming since Wycombe were in the Isthmian League, so to walk through the gates at Adams Park and see a Championship match involving Wycombe Wanderers is a bit mind blowing for them, and for me as well because my first game was at that lower level in 1987.
It puts things into perspective about how far the club's come. At heart the club's kept its ties with the fans and the community and there's a bit of non-league charm about it still to this day.
afcb.co.uk: Gareth Ainsworth has a well-known direct approach, has he changed or tweaked it for the Championship?
PC: He's ramped it up! Even when Wycombe were in League Two they had small budgets, Gareth played under John Beck for many years and I think picked up a lot from him.
He looks at what the club have got in terms of money and players and finds a system that makes it work for what he has, and does really well with it.
They were unlucky not to beat Watford at home a couple of months ago when they should have won. Watford have got players that cost more than Wycombe have spent in their entire Football League history.
It does work, teams are going to have much better players with higher technical ability, but what Gareth ensures is that if teams are going to beat them they're going to have to earn the right to play their football.
If teams think they'll just turn up and stroke the ball around they're going to come unstuck, some teams have kicked-off and been a bit shocked that Wycombe are going to make it into a bit of a scrap.
If Wycombe can drag teams into a scrap like that it bodes well for them because they'll normally win those games.
afcb.co.uk: With those injuries affecting the squad, what's the latest ahead of Tuesday night?
PC: The big two injuries are Anthony Stewart, the centre-back who played every single game in League One last season and was magnificent at Wembley. He got injured late on at Preston and I don't think he's going to be back for Tuesday.
Curtis Thompson is a player signed in League Two after he'd been discarded by Notts County and he's grown with the club. He's the perfect player to show the journey because every time Wycombe have stepped up a level so has he.
This season he's been the best player in midfield, making the team competitive, but he got injured and has been really missed. Losing those two is a massive blow.
afcb.co.uk: Who are the standout players to watch out for at Vitality Stadium?
PC: Scott Kashket has been brilliant, a little striker and another who was picked up in League Two after being thrown on the scrapheap by Leyton Orient.
He had a tough season last year, he got banned for betting on the back of a serious injury, but after a long time out he's come back this season super fit and looking really sharp.
He's Wycombe's top scorer and is looking dangerous. He's a tenacious player and him and Adebayo Akinfenwa have a great relationship.
There's also a young loanee from Leicester City called Josh Knight, a centre-back. He's really relishing his chance in the Championship having been on loan at Peterborough last year and this season he's been excellent.
He's a young lad and there are a couple of mistakes in there but he's got pace, reads the game well and it's a pleasure to see players like that get a chance and taking it.
afcb.co.uk: There's also the connection with Nnamdi Ofoborh who was on loan with Wycombe last year, just how big was his impact?
PC: The fans love him, there was a real movement from them to try and get Nnamdi to sign permanently in the summer.
I think he'd admit himself, he became a fully-grown adult at Wycombe last year and a fully-formed professional footballer under the watchful eye of Gareth. When Bournemouth brought him back I think they realised they had a completely different person and player from who left.
That's what the loan system is all about. Wycombe have had to take other teams' players and develop them, they get a season but it is a bit heartbreaking when they go back and go on.
The club have had Eberechi Eze and Alfie Mawson who have gone on and done big things.
Nnamdi was a wonderful guy, he really threw himself into the squad and the culture - a hugely important part of the success. For a young lad to have someone like Akinfenwa in the changing room with him, developing him and his attitude, was big.
He's clearly a gifted footballer but talent is only half the story, and I hope Bournemouth are very grateful for what Wycombe did for Nnamdi because they'll reap the rewards!
afcb.co.uk: Finally, what's your prediction for Tuesday evening?
PC: On paper, Wycombe are second favourites going into every game this season. It's going to be difficult but Watford were given a bit of a bloody nose and I can never back the club to lose.
I'm going to say it will be a 2-2 draw, Wycombe playing a part in a hugely exciting game.
To follow Phil on Twitter – @bluntphil
Officials: Matthew Donohue (referee), Robert Hyde (assistant), Rob Smith (assistant), Robert Whitton (fourth official).
