Trophy exit may have 'silver lining' for Wycombe

Matt Bloomfield has been Wycombe head coach since February 2023

Wycombe Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield is hoping their disappointing exit from the EFL Trophy may prove to have a "silver lining" for his team in terms of their busy schedule.

The Chairboys suffered their first defeat in 16 games in all competitions when they lost 2-1 at home to Swindon Town on Tuesday evening.

It meant they missed out on a last 16 place in a competition in which they went all the way to Wembley last season before losing to Peterborough in the final.

"This year we've had three games in the League Cup, we're into the third round of the FA Cup, and this competition has given us four games, so we've had a really packed schedule," Bloomfield told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"It's relentless, but every cloud has a silver lining, and at least it will give us one midweek when we can get back on the training ground without having another game to come."

Prior to the game against the Robins, Wycombe's previous defeat was as far back as 24 September when they lost to Premier League club Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup.

Bloomfield made nine changes for the game against Swindon and said: "I knew as a player, when you play regularly with the same players around you, you build those relationships and play with that telepathy - and when you don't do that regularly, it's hard to just turn it on for one night.

"I take that on board absolutely, but I still believe in the group, and I want us to be better."

Wycombe remain top of League One, on goal difference from Wrexham, and are away to bottom club Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

"It was disappointing; it wasn't the level we've set ourselves as a group, and we have to make sure we react properly on Saturday," Bloomfield added.

"I hate losing football matches, and even though it hasn't happened for a little while, [that] doesn't make it any easier. If you lose that, then you're asking for trouble.

"The normal standards we set ourselves [were not there against Swindon]; we didn't have the same fluidity."