The Gaffer last week said Alfie Mawson will get game time bit not sure whether that means he'll start. Normally Jokanovic would play a young set of players in this kind of match. However, the U23s are up at Villa this afternoon and fielding pretty much they're strongest side so I expect we'll see the back up boys - ........................ .Fabri........... ..Christie...Chambers..Mawson...S. Sessegnon.. ...............................Cisse........ ............de la Torre..............Johansen.... ........Kamara...........Fonte............Kebano......... Could of course be the usual Jokanovic surprises.
Anybody else think we should have a real go at this Cup? Apart from winning it and adding to the 'Trophy Chest', a decent run would build confidence and ensure the fringe players (who on paper anyway look strong) reasonably regular games. Whatever, Exeter shouldn't be taken for granted tonight. They're coming to the Cottage unbeaten in their last 4, including having knocked out Ipswich in this competition. Snippet: Steve Wigley played 23 games for them back in 1993/94, scoring once.
A winning team whoever is taking part is good for confidence and team building. A good win is what is needed for sure. COYW's
VAR says, "that Alfie Mawson is some player". Otherwise not a peep out of VAR. Not that the officials were particularly good, rather it was a game where not an awful lot happened. Indeed at times it resembled a training session. The Gaffer summed it up pretty much in his after match press thing, “We can be in tactically better positions and not complicate so much. “We can play faster and with less touches, it’s probably we complicate and we can show more quality today than we showed in this game." Nonetheless, it was a good win 2 whites. Maybe part of the problem was that it was too easy, especially after scoring inside 4 minutes. Well taken by Kamara by the way. And the build up to his second was undoubtedly the highlight of the match. All the players had there moments; mostly good but occasionally not so. Rico's kicking for instance was Bettenelliesque. Christie's crossing still needs work. And I really feel for Rui Fonte, it's unfortunately just not happening for him. He made frequent and excellent runs into the channel and nobody played it to him, long balls pumped forward he had no chance of winning ... could go on, but there you are, another miserable night for him. Alfie Mawson was the exception. Commanding in the air, great positional sense, strong tackles and above all quick, slick passing. Hard to believe this was his first game in 3/4 months. Another who couldn't be faulted was Ryan Sessegnon. He came on for Alfie after 70 minutes and played right sided CB. Very assured, to the point of ushering Chambers over to left side CB. And of course great to see the two Sesses on the same pitch for the first team. A couple of downsides. Firstly the injury to Kebano looked serious - possibly ankle ligaments? And secondly the queues outside before the match, caused by the Club only have 2 turnstiles open across the entire front of the Johnny Haynes. And that included one for punters paying cash on the night. Don't know what it was like for entrances to other parts of the ground but suffice to say a lot of disgruntled fans.
I missed the first goal after queuing for the single turnstile that was open for pre-booked ticket holders, the other turnstile being open was for cash. I eventually sat at my seat 17 minutes after kick off having queued for 30 minutes - was a real shambles. 10 minutes into the game they opened another gate but sods law that took longer as people's tickets were getting rejected. ( I think they had opted for auto cup games included on their season tickets and their tickets did not work) I go with 8 others and they didn't go tonight, I was thinking I wish I hadn't bothered also. I'm not normally a moaner but it put me in a right bad mood. How they thought two turnstiles for the whole of JH stand was enough is ridiculous. Game was ok, good to see Mawson. Exeter played a second string also I believe and I was quite impressed with them as they played quite good football, their supporters also were good. Wasn't really any pressure on us and we won easily.
