Wycombe’s overriding sense of faith can guide Gareth Ainsworth’s side to improbable Championship survival, believes Adebayo Akinfenwa

Nobody gave Wycombe Wanderers a prayer when it came to getting out of League One last season.

The Chairboys were 66/1 outsiders to win the league, a 16/1 shot for promotion and installed as third favourites for relegation.

Yet against all the odds Gareth Ainsworth's side produced the unthinkable and secured a spot in the second tier of English football for the first time in their history after beating local rivals Oxford United 2-1 in July's play-off final.

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Ainsworth has worked miracles throughout his eight-year tenure so far and he will need another this season if the Buckinghamshire outfit are to preserve their Championship status.

Adebayo Akinfenwa, the club’s all-time record EFL goalscorer with 53 goals, believes the prevalent theme of religion inside the Wycombe dressing room will give them a fighting chance of achieving that feat.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, the experienced forward said: “One thing I really like about the Wycombe dressing room is that it allows you not to be fearful of who you are as an individual.

“Before games there will be maybe six or seven of us who come together and say a prayer.

"We have conversations between ourselves and make sure we're there for each other; both in the good times and the bad times.

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‘Too big, too strong, not good enough’ – Adebayo Akinfenwa has proved everyone wrong to achieve Championship dream aged 38

“There’s a strong faith that runs through the Wycombe changing room and it’s nice to be able to discuss that with your peers.

"If you don’t have faith in yourself then no-one else will. You’ve got to keep going until mathematically you can’t keep going anymore."

Akinfenwa and fellow forward Alex Samuel's emotional embrace on the hallowed Wembley turf earlier this year typified the strong bond that exists within the Wycombe squad.

“That moment with me and Alex Samuel is something that will hold itself in such high regard for myself," Akinfenwa explained. "It wasn’t something that was planned whatsoever.

"I went off to give thanks [to God] by myself and then I felt his hand on my shoulder. It was a special moment."

Akinfenwa, born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother, reads the Bible daily and regularly attends church.

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That overriding sense of belief is something which has guided the giant striker - nicknamed 'the Beast' - to overcome many obstacles in football.

Akinfenwa began his professional career in Lithuania, going on to play for 13 clubs in England and Wales before finally becoming a Championship player with Wycombe at the age of 38.

That particular feat was something he had dreamt of for many years, and he readily admits he has now reached the 'pinnacle' of what he set out to do in football once upon a time.

“My faith has played as big a role as the ability has taken me," Akinfenwa explained. "Football is temporary. One day it will come to an end and I’ll have to hang up my boots, but my faith is with me for eternal.

“When there’s been good moments and when there’s been bad moments, my faith has always been there.

“I’ve always been able to have a safety net with my religion, and other than my family I've had my faith to help me get through those dark times.

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“My life is testament to that, in the sense that at the age of 38 I reached the pinnacle of my career and that’s down to my faith and belief."

He continued: “There are different moments in your career that have different values for you for different parts.

“When you make your debut you’re over the moon regardless of the result and that’s the same when you score your first goal.

“At the age of 38 there’s nothing I need from the game anymore; I'm going in to training and games for the enjoyment. The younger boys can aspire, and should aspire, to play at a higher level.

“Whereas with myself I take it for the enjoyment. You can’t beat time and I know there’s not that much time left for me or my body to play this game, so I’m enjoying the moment.

“Have I reached the pinnacle of what I set out to do? Yes. I’ve hit the Championship at 38, which I’d be lying to myself if I said I always believed that would happen.

“You start getting older and think to yourself maybe I won’t get to the Championship, but I’ve got there at 38 and trust me I’m going to enjoy it.”

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Akinfenwa and co have endured a Championship baptism of fire and currently lie four points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table ahead of a Boxing Day trip to Bristol City, having played a game more than two of their relegation rivals.

It is going to take a monumental effort from Ainsworth's side to achieve what many regard a nigh on impossible task.

“We’re still trying to climatise ourselves to the league and we know it’s going to be tough," the veteran striker conceded.

"There’s no point sugar-coating it - we weren’t the best team in League One last season. But by sheer grit, fight, togetherness and belief we got out of that league.

“We’re not going to be the best team in the Championship, but we have to maximise everything we have in our armoury; and our faith and belief is a big tool. That is something we will be leaning on."

Akinfenwa and the rest of his Wycombe teammates will not let go of their Championship dream without a fight - that much is for certain.