Bowman’s importance highlighted by City boss
Criticism from some supporters is unfair on Exeter’s ‘most asked after player’
EXETER City manager Matt Taylor has praised the club’s ‘most asked after player’ in Ryan Bowman and said that his value is well known to those who know the game.
The City striker has yet to hit the back of the net this season, in six appearances, and has come in for criticism from some on social media for his performances and lack of goals.
Only the then-Swindon Town striker Eoin Doyle and Mansfield’s Nicky Maynard hit the back of the net in League Two more than Bowman did last season, with the former Torquay striker scoring 14 times in all competitions, and Taylor, when asked about the target man, said that those within the game and the club know how valuable he is.
“He is the most selfless player at the club and he competes and competes and competes,” Taylor said.
“We are playing a system where he is the sole centre forward and that is a huge burden to take and he has to do it all.
“MJ (Matt Jay) isn’t the most physical but he and Randell Williams and Joel Randall all work off Ryan. He is allowing the team to perform and while he is doing that, I can’t be disappointed with Ryan.”
Bowman hasn’t hit the net since his late winner in the play-off semifinal against Colchester United - one of just two goals in his last 11 matches - and he missed a golden chance to get off the mark this campaign, when first he let the ball run under his foot and saw his shot deflected over the bar from six yards out.
But Taylor said: “He will be disappointed he didn’t take his opportunity as that’s what centre forward are renowned for. I see the value in him and a lot of people in the club do. He is the one player that every other manager asks me about and that’s from a higher level as well, and that’s testament to Ryan.
“When they speak about players or asking who is available, they always ask me about Ryan, and that shows me how valuable he is to people who know the game inside out.
“That’s no disrespect to fans or social media, but he gives the team a platform, and if you have a platform up front and two decent centre halves, the game’s a lot simpler.
“He is the most asked after player in our ranks and that will surprise a lot of people as we have a lot of talented players in our ranks and the goals will come.”
While Bowman didn’t hit the target in the 2-0 win over Cambridge United, both Jay and Randall added to their tally.
Jay slotted home a penalty after Williams had been brought down in the box, before Randall drove into the box and fired past the keeper to give the Grecians the deserved that sees them rise to sixth in the table.
Tonight. the Grecians are in action again with Bowman likely to be rested ahead of the League Two trip to Southend United on Saturday.
Alex Fisher is the most likely replacement and he is short on match action having not played for the first team yet this season, while Ben Seymour is also likely to get a run-out.
Goalkeeper Jonny Maxted, wide men Jack Sparkes and Jake Caprice, who is back from injury now, and midfielders Nicky Law and Nigel Atangana are also likely to get some action at the County Ground with Taylor expected to make several changes to the team that started against Cambridge at the weekend.