Exeter in the Trophy

Well that was another poor game from us.
The same old story of bad first touches, loose passes putting us under pressure and no cutting edge up front.

First half saw us have good possession without really creating any good chances to score. Exeter were not scared to come forward and played the better passing football on a bumpy pitch. Bishop was playing well from the start and Sears looked decent, Nsiala and Edwards were the opposite and had poor games again.

Second half started with more urgency and we moved the ball forward much quicker than in the first 45. We opened up some good chances but couldn't get the final touch to score. Keane's goal was well taken after good work from Sears. Exeter then started to come back into after a couple of subs and put us under pressure at the back. A silly free kick given away by Nsiala was brilliantly saved but the resulting corner saw Lee Martin score the winner.

Holy - a good game from the tall 'keeper. Made some great saves and came and collected the ball at the right times. His only real mistake was an interception when he threw the ball out quickly and it got cut out. I'm not going to fault him on that though because it was the right idea and something I've been wanting our 'keepers to do more often. Holy should be starting in the league on this performance.
Woolfenden - some good and some bad moments, mostly good though. Luke is our most consistent defender and will only get better.
Wilson - no nonsense at the back.
Nsiala - a liability again. Poor first touches lost possession in dangerous areas and you're always scared what's going to happen when he's one on one.
Kenlock - good game from Myles. He was better than Edwards on attack and this performance will add fuel to the calls to put Kenlock back in at LB and move Garbutt forward. Myles was one of our better players today.
Skuse - solid as always.
Dozzell - some good passes but didn't really affect the game enough. His corners were poor, hitting the first man more often than not.
Bishop - was a joy to watch. He got on the ball early in the game and looked to bring it forward at every chance. A fit Teddy will certainly add to our team.
Edwards - meh, **** again. Some wild crosses that just sailed out, he adds nothing to our attacks.
Sears - was lively and will get sharper with games.
Keane - scored a decent goal but doesn't hold the ball up very well. He's better with the ball at his feet but not very good at taking high balls and keeping possession.

All in all, that was another limp display. We still look lost as an attacking unit and don't look like the type of team that will open up multiple chances to score in a match.
Bish, Sears, Holy and Kenlock played well and that is the positive I will be taking from the game.

 

This is a new low for Town and still no sign of any serious transfer activity.

 

No,we’ve managed to hang on to everyone so far.........you weren’t expecting any recruits,were you?

 

Having a reasonable chance to get back into the second flight and a manager on a five year contract, yes I did.

 

Some people never learn

 

For what its worth, you cant pin all the blame on Lambert. He picked a pretty strong team today, albeit it bishop and Sears are coming back from long term injuries, but the team out there should've been good enough to win today, so they should at least share some of the blame.
Sometimes, actually, always, as a player, you need to take responsibly on the pitch. There were none of the kids out there, all experienced professionals, who should know how to play, and how to beat a lower league team.
We don't play with any passion, and we dont take the fight to the team.
We're too nice, and too soft. We should be wiping these teams off the floor, wycombe, gillingham, lincoln, Exeter.. feck me, these teams raise their game against us, but we bottle it every time.
Doesnt matter what PL says, or what formation he plays, if the players do what he says, then we should win, with the squad and the team we put out. I can only forgive them, if they are inexperienced kids out there...but they're not, they're all seasoned pros.

 

Excellent summary, hopeful signs of those 4 all playing regular 1st team football, not hoofball. And give us much needed spring in our steps.

 

Let’s not forget that this was an Exeter team consisting of mostly reserves and youth players. They made ten changes from their side that played League Two football, so it was nowhere near their A team.

It’s a truly embarrassing result. Managers have been sacked for less.