Western Morning News (Saturday)
Exeter go in search of the two wins they need for promotion
TWO wins form four games… The task facing Exeter City seems pretty simple as they look to end a ten-year stay in English football’s fourth tier.
Today, the Grecians play the first of those four games when they welcome Rochdale to St James Park before Barrow arrive in Devon on Tuesday night. Win both of those and the Grecians are up, although promotion could be achieved today with a win and with results elsewhere going in their favour. But while Rochdale arrive in Devon today have nothing to play for, Barrow are fighting for their Football League lives and certainly have plenty to play for in midweek.
Of course, no game is easy, especially when the stakes are so high. The pressure is off a Rochdale side safely tucked away in mid-table, so they can play with a carefree attitude, while the Grecians know just how important the three points can be to their cause.
Three of those four remaining games that Exeter have are at St James Park – City’s final game is a sell-out against Port Vale, while they must also travel to Northampton Town, currently in fourth place, next weekend – so the importance of home advantage should not be underestimated.
“They are very important,” manager Matt Taylor said when asked about those home games. “They are no less important than away to Northampton, or the away fixture was at Tranmere, but we know how our form has generally been strong at home.
“We have performed well here throughout the season and accustomed to the scenarios, the environment, the stadium and it is great to see it full with our home backing.
“We felt the home fans at Tranmere played a part in the way that game went with the officials on the day. Our fans have a big role to play this weekend and in those three games at the Park.
“We need to get the benefits of home comforts and we will certainly look to do that this weekend.”
Another bumper crowd will be in attendance this afternoon to witness the latest chapter in the Grecians’ promotion quest, which can be concluded with a victory and defeats for Northampton at Leyton Orient, Bristol Rovers at home to Forest Green and Sutton at Barrow.
With City still in with a shout of the League Two title - they are five points behind Forest Green - many are divided on what they want the outcome of today’s Bristol Rovers v Forest Green clash to be! Especially as the Gloucestershire club still have to visit promotion chasing Swindon Town and Mansfield Town this campaign.
However, if Exeter’s Good Friday win over Colchester United is anything to go by, this group of City players are relishing the moment rather than display the kind of nerves that seem to have hit the new Lawn (FGR were 17 points ahead of City at the start of February.)
Players can often freeze on the big stage – let’s be honest, City teams over many years have often disappointed in front of big home crowds – but such was their dominance and control against the men from Essex, there was only ever going to be one winner.
Even in training, the pictures are of smiling faces which gives every indication that the Grecians are enjoying their work.
“I’d like to think they’ve enjoyed the season as a whole,” Taylor said. “I am pretty sure they enjoy coming to the training ground, despite the building and facilities being what
they are! And they enjoy spending time with each other.
“They have enjoyed each other’s success as well, so I don’t think that changes on the back of the state of play with the league scenario, or the last few games of the season.
“They still enjoy each other’s company, they still enjoy the work we do on a daily basis and hopefully, they are staying away from the pressure cooker of external noise, I suppose.
“You can’t totally hide away from it, we have to understand what we are in and what we are trying to achieve and how difficult that is, but let’s enjoy the journey, so to speak, and we will be looking to do that this weekend.
“The players seemed to really enjoy the Colchester game, they might not have enjoyed Tranmere so much, but there is nothing that tests your more than in-game pressure as opposed to expectation.
“I am sure Rochdale will provide a few stern questions for us this weekend and as we try to answer them, we have to remain true to ourselves and how we want to play.”