Mike Dodds' big Wycombe Wanderers problem that he cannot fix with a transfer | OneFootball

Wycombe Wanderers have a huge problem, but Mike Dodds can't fix it with a transfer.

Wycombe Wanderers have a big problem, and it's proven to be something that Mike Dodds can't fix by simply signing players to try and overcome the hurdle.

For the third time in their opening four matches, Wycombe tasted the anguish of a defeat against Exeter City on Tuesday evening, thanks to a calamitous own goal from captain Jack Grimmer.

After dominating the game for large portions, the Chairboys gifted the visitors all three points when the skipper comically headed the ball backwards into his own net, which was the latest in a succession of individual errors that have cost Dodds' side points.

Once again, the Blues were punished for being toothless in front of goal, and failing to open the scoring in the first-half, when they had Exeter pretty much penned into their own half.

This is nothing new, as in 25 matches under Dodds, Wycombe have scored just three times in the first-half of a match. This is proving to be a frustrating and quite frankly alarming pattern in the 39-year-old's reign at Adams Park.

Wycombe Wanderers facing first-half woes under Mike Dodds

The feeling around the Buckinghamshire side from the fans is certainly far from positive, following a woeful start to the season which has seen them collect just one point out of a possible 12.

Of course, it's still early days, and with 12 new players to integrate, this will take time. However, there is a pattern which has carried over from last season that will be causing Dodds a big headache.

Under the ex-Sunderland interim, Wycombe have played 25 games, but have found the net in the first-half in just three, meaning they don't assert their dominance from the off in matches.

This once again proved to cost Wanderers on Tuesday night, as they had Exeter penned in, but couldn't take advantage of their early pressure, and were ultimately made to pay after the infuriating own goal.

Following the match, Dodds gave what can only be described as a deeply perplexing interview to the club's social media channel, saying "my concern isn't putting the ball in the back of the net", and remaining adamant he's "not changing" anything about his approach.

Whilst there are some signs of cohesion beginning to show, maintaining that stubborn stance against teams who play in a low block could certainly be the downfall of Wycombe's new style of play.

What Mike Dodds can do to fix first-half issues

In their opening four league matches, Wycombe have yet to lead a single minute, and have found themselves being the ones to do the chasing after a slow start, which ultimately cost them points.

We've seen last season the struggles against the low block, and by the looks of it, it's carrying into this season as well, as the Chairboys are simply far too slow in their build-up play to cause teams any issues.

Whilst it's easier said than done, Dodds must encourage his side to start games quickly, get in the opponents' faces, get the early goal, then focus on game management. His side currently looks flat and lethargic from the off, hence the slow starts.

Adams Park used to be a fortress which teams feared to go to, but under the new head coach, it's lost that reputation, which it desperately needs back for Wanderers to regain some of that confidence shown by previous successful squads.

Being aggressive from the start, building up play quickly, committing bodies forward and taking risks will really allow Wycombe to grab games by the scruff of the neck, but it's not something that can be fixed by simply signing someone, it's a mentality issue.

So Dodds needs to drill it into the players to be aggressive from the off, don't be overly cautious, take risks and let individual quality help create a blueprint for success, rather than slow, methodical, predictable build-up play.