TAYLOR MADE A chip off the old Exeter block
EXETER NORTHAMPTON
Now manager Matt Taylor is hoping the splash in the briny and a special fish supper will change the Grecians’ luck when it comes to big days out at the home of football.
On the last two occasions under long-serving boss Paul Tisdale Exeter were foiled at the final League Two play-offs hurdle losing to Blackpool and Coventry.
Northampton stand in the way tomorrow night following Exeter’s gruelling extra time victory over Colchester.
“We’ve had to make sure the boys are OK physically after the hell of a shift they put in,” said Taylor, who stepped into Tisdale’s shoes shortly after the last Wembley final in June 2018.
“On Wednesday we took them down to the beach and got them into the sea.
“We’re lucky because we are just 15 minutes away from the nearest beach.
“It turned out it was one of the hottest days of the year and so a lot of other people had the same idea. We got stuck in a bit of traffic and then we found the beach was packed. But it was still well worth it.
“We brought them back to Exeter for the fish and chips. A local farm shop delivered them so it made it a great day.
“It was a nice mental break in addition to being a physical recovery day.”
And although there will be no fans allowed the club will be taking their cardboard army of supporters with them. Against Colchester 1,246 looked on from one of the stands.
Taylor added: “Although there was no crowd-generated atmosphere it was good to see familiar faces in the stand.
“I’m not certain which section of Wembley they will be in. It might look a bit strange just taking up a small area of the vast stadium but it’s better than nothing and I’m certain Northampton will do the same.”
Tisdale (above) who left to manage MK Dons had become an institution at St James Park after 12 years in charge but 38-year-old Taylor didn’t think twice when he was asked to take over. He said: “It often doesn’t work when a manager follows on from someone who has been there for such a long period.
“The thing I had in my favour was that I had worked under Paul (as a coach) and played under him (160odd games). I knew his methods, I knew the players, I knew the club really well. I had a clear understanding of what
I wanted to do and what the time frame would be.
“It would have been totally wrong to change things too soon and in any case not much needed changing because it was a really well-run club. It was a nobrainer to take over.
“The club has lost money by featuring in the play-offs.
“Usually, revenue-wise the play-offs are the best games.
“Two full houses, live on Sky with hopefully Wembley to follow and all the attention that brings. Due to the present circumstances it’s the opposite scenario.
“But we wouldn’t want to miss out on this even though Wembley will be different.”
NICKY ADAMS has told Northampton to forget about their amazing play-off comeback, when the Cobblers overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to win 3-0 at Cheltenham and reach Wembley.
Ahead of tomorrow’s final against Exeter, club captain Adams (above), said: “Last week epitomised our never-say-die attitude. We always believed. We never lost confidence.
“But last week is gone. We are not going to Wembley just to make up the numbers.
“Hopefully we can get the job done and have an even better celebration.”