TISDALE: WE’RE NOT IN A RUSH TO SELL
EXETER CITY manager Paul Tisdale has moved to calm fans’ fears that they could lose young stars Ollie Watkins and Ethan Ampadu in the January transfer window.
Striker Watkins, 21, headed into yesterday’s clash with Portsmouth having scored 30 goals in 55 Exeter appearances, including ten this term.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old midfielder Ampadu made his debut this season and has since racked up double figures in terms of appearances, even winning the Wales Young Player of the Year award back in November.
Their performances have unsurprisingly turned the heads of clubs further up the football ladder, but Tisdale insists the Grecians are determined to keep hold of the duo.
“I want to keep this team together for the season. Nobody is in a rush to sell,” said Tisdale.
“There’s plenty of interest and enquiries but this is the best group of players I have had in a long time.
“The club is in a healthy place and doesn’t need the money. It’s a good quality problem to have.”
Meanwhile, Exeter have extended the loan of Reading midfielder Jack Stacey until the end of the season.
Ahead of the clash with Pompey, Stacey, 20, had made 19 appearances for the League Two side since arriving in August, even filling in at right-back on some occasions.
And he is also proving somewhat of a lucky charm for Tisdale with the Grecians winning seven of the last eight matches that Stacey had featured in before this weekend.
Stacey said: “I’m really happy to stay here for the rest of the season.
“Getting used to a different position in a different league takes some time but the coaches here have worked me really well.
“We’ve got a great squad of defenders, and it’s really starting to show now.”