‘There’s still more work to be done to get to where we want to be’

EXETER City and Newport County between them have lost the last five League Two play-off finals – but with a quarter of the season gone, both will be looking for wins to get them into the top seven this afternoon at St James Park.

The Grecians are unbeaten in 11 in all competitions – in nine in the league – and have lost just one this season – but draws have been their downfall with 10 of the 14 matches played this season ending all square.

It is three successive 2-2s for Matt Taylor’s men meaning that despite having the fewest defeats of anyone in the division they are 10th in the table, but they will be looking to put that right at St James Park on Saturday against the Exiles and get the rewards performances have deserved.

“We could be talking about something different – a missed penalty, shots off the woodwork, not holding onto leads,” Taylor said when asked about the recent form.

“We are not far away and so much of the performance against Stevenage I really liked. We were the dominant team and created more than enough chances to win it, and switched off at two crucial moments and only got a point.

“There’s still more work to be done to get to where we want to be as for the first few games we didn’t score and we are now up there with the leading scorers. We are capable of winning games and being so close but just need to improve certain areas and put in an all-round performance.

“We are scoring goals and have a threat about us and we dominated the game at Stevenage and the goals were avoidable but the mindset wasn’t where it needed to be. As much as I was frustrated last Saturday, I guarantee no-one was more frustrated than the players and they didn’t have the spoils to show for what they deserved.”

Exeter City are unbeaten in 13 at St James Park, while Wayne Hatswell’s side will visit on the back of losing three of the last five away from home, and having also suffered a 4-3 loss to Arsenal’s U21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

Former boss Michael Flynn departed the club last month, but Taylor doesn’t expect too much difference from the squad that lost last year’s play-off final.

“They won’t be going off script too much and sticking to their principles,” he said. “They are a strong team and have work to do in relation to the league position, but we expect them to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.”

City will be without striker Padraig Amond who is unavailable due to the terms of his loan move, but other than long-term absentees Sam Stubbs and Jack Sparkes, both of whom are getting closer to returning, they have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Josh Coley, Harry Kite and Colin Daniel were among the senior players who got more game-time on Wednesday for the U23s against West Ham United and could feature, while Owura Edwards is in line for a start if Taylor makes the call to switch from the back three to a back four.

“We have the option to switch with Owura and Josh fit and playing with out-and-out wide players is an option,” he said.

“One thing we are mindful of is that we haven’t started well despite scoring. We want a more solid start regardless of formation and shape and personnel and to be in the game of merit, but the players know where they want to get to.”