Grecians wobbling but their home’s a FORTRESS
The game at the Ricoh was the Grecians’ first league defeat of the season and their form has been a little more chequered since then
COVENTRY City return to league duty today with a 352mile round trip to fellow promotion chasers Exeter City.
The Grecians hold the third best home record in League Two, winning nine and losing just three from 12 games to make St James Park a fortress for the South West club.
Paul Tisdale’s men have had a slight dip in form of late however, only winning two games in their last eight in all competitions which will give encouragement to Mark Robins and his side who travel to Devon full of confidence after their 2-1 giant killing of Premier League strugglers Stoke City. Five places separate the two teams and a win for the Sky Blues could see them solidify their position in the League Two’s automatic places, whilst defeat could see the Grecians leapfrog City into the top three should other results go their way.
Here David Byrom, of Devonlive, gives us the lowdown on the Grecians:
What were Exeter’s preseason aspirations?
After losing in the play-off final last season, the aspirations were definitely for a promotion push.
Even losing Ollie Watkins and David Wheeler in the summer did not dampen their spirits, with the arrivals of Jayden Stockley and Hiram Boateng on transfer deadline day in August proving their ambition this year.
Exeter were flying high in the league when they travelled to the Ricoh in September – what’s happened since then?
The game at the Ricoh was the Grecians’ first league defeat of the season and their form has been a little more chequered since then.
At home, they have been in solid form, winning their last four league matches, but it has been on the road where they have struggled.
Exeter’s away form has been a reason to celebrate in recent years but it has been more disappointing this season, losing their last five on the road.
What’s the latest injury news from St James Park?
Captain Jordan Moore-Taylor could well be fit to play after missing City’s last two matches. Lee Holmes was only fit enough for the bench against West Brom, so his involvement depends on how he fares in training. Robbie Simpson and Ryan Brunt have recently returned to full training after long-term injuries but it’s highly doubtful either of them will start today. Reuben Reid, who was League Two’s most inform striker when the two sides met in September, was sold to Forest Green Rovers last week.
Who are the Exeter players City should be worried about?
Striker Jayden Stockley became the club’s record signing in August and he has netted 13 goals in 25 appearances so far this year.
He is a target man but also good with his feet, and often manages to find the half a yard of space in the penalty box that is needed to score goals.
He has sometimes been a little isolated this season as City are still trying to find the perfect strike partner for him.
Hiram Boateng’s arrival in the summer on a free transfer from Crystal Palace was a bit of a coup for the Grecians.
He is a powerful box-to-box midfielder who always tries to get the ball down and put his team on the front foot, with his distribution also proving to be a threat.
Any new recruits in the January window and if so will they play?
Paul Jones re-signed for City on loan from Norwich City last week, but will only be on the bench for the game – his arrival was designed so that he could be a back-up to Christy Pym, allowing James Hamon to go out on loan.
Kyle Edwards and Kane Wilson are expected to return to the club from West Brom on loan at some point in January after their loans expired last week, but these deals are yet to be announced.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Ryan Loft played for the club’s reserves on Tuesday but, as yet, has not signed for the club.
What’s the manager’s favoured formation and style of football?
City have been known in the past for their possessionbased football and they played some scintillating stuff at times last season with Watkins and Wheeler terrifying League Two defences.
Yet the arrival of Stockley has seen the club go a little more route one this season and made them more robust. Tisdale has changed formations quite a bit this season – at some points he favoured 4-4-2, others 3-5-2, and also 4-5-1.
How do you think Tisdale will approach the fixture tactically?
I’m anticipating that he will go 4-4-2, although with Coventry in good form, it is not inconceivable that City will line up in a 4-5-1 to try and keep it tight.
With no striker really in good form apart from Stockley, then 4-5-1 might make sense, although young striker Matt Jay impressed against Barnet up front with Stockley in a ‘little and large’ type pairing.