Taylor hails experienced pair for role in City’s win
Amond and Daniel impress as Grecians make it a club record run of 14 unbeaten
THEY are two of the most experienced members of what is a very youthful Exeter City squad, and both Padraig Amond and Colin Daniel are starting to show why Matt Taylor brought them to St James Park this summer.
It was a frustrating time for the duo who perhaps have not got the game time that they would have wished for, with Daniel making only his second league start of the season on Saturday in the 2-1 win over Mansfield Town, while Amond hasn’t started since early September
Indeed, the Newport County loanee’s substitute appearances in the two victories this week were his first league action since September 4, but he played a vital role in securing the win, setting up Tim Dieng’s equaliser and being part of the move that led to Matt Jay’s winner.
The 33-year-old may not have yet made the contribution on the pitch he would have been hoping for, with him yet to score, but manager Taylor was delighted by what he brought to the side when coming on at the weekend, and described him as a “perfect role model” off the pitch for the youngsters to follow.
“I’d have loved to have worked with him five of ten years ago as he has incredible brightness and still got his legs,” Taylor said.
“His understanding of where the ball would land was excellent and he created the first goal and played a part in the second, and to make the changes and affect the game in that matter was pleasing.
“He has energy, knowhow, experience and gave us legs around Sam (Nombe), and he was the brightest on the sidelines, but that is Podge.”
With Nombe, Jay and Jevani Brown, the Grecians are blessed with attacking options that have limited Amond’s chances, but Taylor said that he is still chomping at the bit to be involved, even though his career is nearly 500 games old.
“He has never taken his foot off the gas and he does extras without us telling him to,” Taylor said.
“Some senior players could go in after training but he does extras and that is why we brought him in. What a great role model he is for our young players, and he will get more opportunities, and great to have him to alter it from the bench.”
His effort and work rate is appreciated by the rest of the attackers, with captain Jay also singling him out for praise in his post-match interview.
“Podge has been brilliant,” the skipper said. “He is a good player and great to have around the squad. We have a good squad and he has a smile on his face even if he is not in the team, and he did really well and gave us a different dynamic and there is a lot more to come from him.”
Another player there is more to come from and who is improving since his summer arrival is Daniel, with the 33-year-old only joining the club at the end of August after being released by Burton Albion.
It took the defender until October to feature, scoring on his debut in the EFL Trophy draw with Cheltenham Town, and his first start in the league last Saturday at home to Newport was fair to say a bit of a struggle.
But he showed the class and experience he has in the win over the Stags, being a constant attacking threat down the left wing, whipping in several crosses, and being a calm head to see out the win, and with Jack Sparkes still set to miss another six week or so with a shoulder injury, and Jake Caprice being a more natural right-sided player, he could make himself a fixture in the side.
“I thought Colin found his rhythm in his game and he was much more effective down the left side,” Taylor said.
“He is going to be our best left back and that’s no disrespect to the others, and he found his second wind and gave us an extra outlet on the left rather than just through Josh Key on the right, so I was really pleased with Colin.”