Former manager Tony Adams lasted little more than a year in the post, before leaving a side in free fall in League Two back in November.
Over the past two months Wycombe under Gorman have won twice as many league fixtures as they have lost and drawn.
A point gathered at Grimsby on Saturday moved them to within three points of the final play off spot, which is still up for grabs.
"If the gaffer had been here earlier we would not be in this situation.
"He has turned the club around and got us playing really good football. The spirit is fantastic. I’m just gutted he didn’t come in earlier," said Burnell.
The bustling midfielder only returned to the side in mid-January after a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.