The Jack Grimmer headache Wycombe Wanderers and Mike Dodds are now facing | OneFootball

Mike Dodds' biggest selection headache at Wycombe Wanderers could be at the right-back position.

Selection headaches are a big issue currently plaguing Mike Dodds at Wycombe Wanderers, with quality players sometimes finding themselves missing out on the squad, due to the level of depth at the club.

This has been a pressing issue since the 39-year-old took the helm at Adams Park in February, as 11 new players made their way through the doors in the winter, with a further 12 joining up so far this summer.

Of course, there have been departures, and it seems likely more are on the chopping block, with long-serving Ryan Tafazolli and Garath McCleary strongly linked with moves to Swindon Town and Reading respectively.

The remnants of the legendary Gareth Ainsworth squad are becoming sparse as the club transitions into a new era, but one constant who has remained with the club throughout managerial changes, and still features regularly, is Jack Grimmer.

The right-back has been club captain since July 2024, and remains a stalwart for the Blues. However, with competition in the squad growing, particularly from youngster Fin Back, this could be the toughest selection headache Dodds will face so far.

Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

Right-back has been a position that has always been well covered for Wycombe over the past decade, with the likes of Sido Jombati, Michael Harriman, Jason McCarthy, and, of course, Grimmer.

Having signed following his release from Coventry City in 2019, the Scotsman played an integral part in the club's promotion to the Championship that season, quickly becoming a fan favourite for his buoyant personality and willingness to put his body on the line.

Since then, Grimmer has made that right-back spot his own, only missing matches through injury rather than poor form, and has always been an extremely dependable performer for the Chairboys over the past six years.

When former manager Matt Bloomfield appointed the defender as club captain last summer, it simply felt like it was the correct decision, and had been a long time in the making, with the 31-year-old's loyalty being rewarded.

Even when Bloomfield left and Dodds took over, Grimmer retained that armband, and has been an ever-present member of the squad under the new boss, which is important considering the level of change the club has undergone in the last 12 months.

With much of the famous Ainsworth squad gone, the ex-Fulham man remains one constant who bridges the gap between the old Wycombe and the new Wycombe, which is hugely important for this transitional period, as plenty of new players and staff enter the building.

Mike Dodds will face tough selection headache with Jack Grimmer and Fin Back

It's undeniable that with all the new signings coming through the doors at Marlow Road, the power curve of the current squad is getting steeper and steeper, which has seen some of the old guard fall out of favour under Dodds.

Whilst Grimmer has had his spot in the squad locked down for the last six years, it seems the latest challenger for his position, Back, might be somewhat harder for him to fend off than his previous competitors.

The 22-year-old arrived from Nottingham Forest on deadline day in February, and put in an excellent performance on his debut, but sadly missed the rest of the season due to an injury he sustained in the midst of that game.

However, Back has returned to action since, and has once again impressed in both pre-season and the EFL Cup, whilst his positional rival has somewhat struggled in the league at the start of this new campaign, which was topped off with a nightmare week last week.

With that in mind, some supporters have called for Dodds to trust in the youth of Back over Grimmer, but this certainly isn't a simple call to make for the Wanderers boss, as numerous factors will have to be considered.

Firstly, with so many new players in the door, there aren't very many experienced senior candidates other than Grimmer to take the armband, and a lack of leadership on the pitch with so many new players could be a disaster waiting to happen.

However, Wycombe's new style of play is beginning to take shape, and if you want to stake a claim for Back to start, he certainly suits this possession-based style more than the skipper, who is more of an old-school full-back.

With the ex-Forest star also being nine years younger than Grimmer, and the club wanting to focus on youth development, the former will work towards that potential with more minutes and increase his stock, whereas the latter is already at the peak of his career.

All-in-all, Dodds must weigh up if he would rather have a long-serving player in his squad to maintain stability, or have someone who is better suited to the system and has a higher ceiling, but sacrifice the stability and leadership that the 31-year-old brings to the table.