No Grecian gripes for midfield man
Frankie Artus was pleased to get another 90 minutes in the tank as he continues his injury comeback ahead of the new season. The midfielder missed the latter stages of last term with an injury to his groin, but has been building up plenty of game time thus far this pre-season. His latest outing was the full number against League 2 Exeter City, who left Twerton Park 1-0 winners on Tuesday night. Matt Jay scored the winner for the Grecians - beaten Wembley play-off finalists last season - minutes after half-time. But City threatened plenty themselves. Jack Batten had an effort blocked on the line and Robbie Cundy missed the target from firsthalf corners. Andy Watkins also tested Exeter keeper Christy Pym with a low strike. Pym would then thwart youth-team graduate James Ollis minutes before the final whistle, pushing his effort wide at full stretch. Although the result brought the Romans’ unbeaten start to pre-season to a close, Artus was pleased with the outing. “Obviously pre-season it’s just a work-out for the lads to get some minutes in,” he said. “I thought all in all it was quite a competitive game, we held our own against a good League 2 team who nearly went up last year. “We’re a bit disappointed with the goal, the way we conceded, and maybe we could have created a few more chances. “But it’s a few more minutes in the tank to make us look sharper and sharper with each game coming into the first game of the season.” Fitness is precisely what Artus is focusing on at this stage, having suffered an extended time on the sidelines due to last season’s injury. “It was February that was my last game,” he said. “It’s nice to get out there. I’ve tried resting it up over the summer from the doctor’s opinion. “I’ve had little niggles here and there, but I’ve just got to try and manage it, strengthen it up. “Touch wood, that’s the last of it now and I can try and get a few more minutes on the pitch to get fitter and sharper.” Despite that injury, Artus was among the first players to commit to another campaign with City. “I’ve enjoyed my time here and I get on well with a lot of people,” the 29-year-old reflected. “I spoke to the gaffer relatively early so it was nice to get it done, and I can just concentrate on getting myself back fit after missing the last couple of months of the season. “Obviously we’re ambitious; the club’s going in the right direction and we want to try and achieve something, so we’re looking forward to it.” Entering his fifth season as a Roman, Artus is hopeful of success in National League South. “The gaffer’s brought some good players in,” he said. “The squad’s looking strong, and that’s what we want. “We want plenty of competition for places because if you’re going to achieve something, you need that in this league. “It’s going to be a competitive league and probably a stronger league than last year.”