THE BIG BANK THEORY

@ bigbankpod

Last season was a huge relief to go up, having come so close to promotion so many times. We’ve been saying for years that we are a ‘ League One setup’ – now’s the time to prove it. The thing my club really gets right is being supporter- owned. In an era of clubs having their assets stripped and ownership often being an act of vanity, it’s brilliant to be protected from that.

Our key player will be centre- back Sam Stubbs: son of Alan, and it shows. He arrived injured and we didn’t see him for a whole year, but then he was better than anyone could have hoped.

Our most underrated player is Archie Collins [ below] – a very neat and tidy facilitator of play.

Fans think our ground is a lot better than it was. We’ve had two new stands in the last couple of years, including a roof for away supporters, as well as a new pitch and other improvements. The Big Bank is also one of the biggest standing terraces in the country.

The opposition player who grinds my gears is Liam Sercombe. While he’s a local guy and plenty of fans probably like him, I’m glad he left [ in 2015] and I hope we beat Cheltenham. I’m least looking forward to playing

Plymouth, if we lose to them! If we win, it’s a different matter entirely. I’ve always disliked playing Lincoln, too – I think they’ve got rid of that stupid air raid siren, though, so that’s something. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is sky- high. Ex- player Matt Taylor [ above] stepped up from managing the youth team and delivered promotion. He’s honest, almost to a fault, and always conducts himself so well, even when confronted with some right sorts on opposition benches ( looking at you, Joey Barton and Derek Adams).

The pantomime villain will be Gareth Ainsworth, whose cool- guy schtick got old, fast. Do yer shirt buttons up, pal.

The active player I’d love to have back is Ollie Watkins. He’s a local lad, playing in the top flight and getting in the England squad.

The one change I’d make would be letting us pay by card when we’re buying a pasty!

We’ll finish in comfortable mid- table, maybe even flirting with the play- offs.

FFT VERDICT

19TH

After promotion, Exeter’s summer remit has been retaining their existing assets more than adding new ones. The Grecians are one of the country’s best- run outfits and they can attain League One sustainability – but a bumpy debut campaign could well come first.