Wycombe Wanderers appointed Mike Dodds as their new head coach on 2nd February 2025 on a three and a half year deal until June 2028. Dodds joined the club in a very health position, sitting second in League One and having just spent close to £2m in the January transfer window, breaking their record transfer fee twice in the space of a week.
Who is Mike Dodds?
Mike Dodds joined the club in his first head coach role after gaining a wealth of experience in coaching and player development at Coventry City, Birmingham City and most recently Sunderland. Dodds has a track record in improving individual players and developing young talent. In his career, Dodds has worked with the likes of Jude Bellingham in his player development roles.
The owners at Wycombe are heavily reliant on data and innovation, there is a huge sense among the fans that the owners choice of manager to succeed the much-loved Matt Bloomfield, was purely based on this thought process.
As at 7th March, Dodds has been in charge for little over 30 days and overseen six games. A 0-0 draw at Preston (lost on penalties) in the FA Cup, has been followed by two draws, two wins and one defeat, all in the league. With the one defeat coming at the hands of Birmingham City.
Form Under Mike Dodds
It’s time to take a deeper dive into Dodds’ time in charge. Dodds has been very diligent in his work, when he first started, he made a point of meeting with the senior players to make it clear that he is there to help build upon what has already been a very good season for Wycombe.
Dodds has also kept on Sam Grace and Sam Vokes. Grace took over as Interim boss when Bloomfield left for Luton Town, and Vokes was invaluable during this time adding his wealth of experience to support Grace. Both have been heavily involved with Dodds in the first month or so to assist with a smooth transition.
Dodds has so far kept faith with those that had got Wycombe into second place in League One. The January signings have only played bit part roles from the bench, with the exception of Xavier Simons, who has excelled in his first few games.
It is worth noting that since Dodds arrival, Wycombe have conceded just two goals, with both of these being scored from outside the box. One of Dodds first priorities was to sure up the defence, and, so far, he’s done a very good job.
In those six games, Wycombe have scored just five goals, though it is worth noting that star striker, Richard Kone, was missing for a couple of these.
The run-in is sure to be a hugely important spell for Dodds with some heavyweight battles to come including Wrexham at home, Huddersfield & Bolton away.
Fan View
Richard Kyson from The Deck spoke with Dan Clark, Wycombe Wanderers Supporters Trust Director, who had this to say about Dodds, “Whilst Mike has continued to build on a solid platform already built this season, the true test and measure will come over the run of games until the end of the season.
With a lot to contend for and many ‘six-pointers’ against the sides just below us in the table, Mike’s ability to maximise the immense squad depth and talent we have at our disposal will determine his credentials as a head coach.
If he sets up in the ways we know we are capable of playing against top sides in a crucial period where every point matters, then that will truly signal his arrival at the club.
He speaks a lot of sense in his interviews and his approachability matches the ‘Wycombe Way’, so I’m watching closely in hope that this is backup up on the pitch too. Whilst we have dominated against struggling sides, we need to continue that against sides who will provide great challenges”.
The general consensus amongst Wycombe fans is that Dodds has done a good job since his arrival. Dodds comes across very likeable in his interviews and this sits well with the Wanderers fans.
Wycombe fans are keen to see how the data model develops and adapts with the challenges this brings. There are some doubters amongst the fan base, especially after the long reign of Gareth Ainsworth, followed by ‘Mr. Wycombe’, Matt Bloomfield. It is new territory for the club so there is bound to be some doubters and critics.
Whilst it is early days in the Mike Dodds era, there is a feeling that Dodds could well be the man to lead Wycombe into the Championship for only the second time in Wanderers’ history. Following in the footsteps of the fan favourite Gareth Ainsworth, would certainly cement Dodds in Wycombe folklore.