Western Morning News (Saturday)
Caldwell urges City players to ‘create their own history’
GARY Caldwell’s class of 202324 has a chance to secure Exeter City’s second highest post-war finish in its history – and a place in the top ten – if they can get the better of Northampton Town today (KO 2pm), Oxford United in next week’s curtain faller at an already sold-out St James Park and other results go in their favour.
“I think this group of players has to create their own history,” Caldwell said. “I think we have to keep building on what we’ve been doing in recent weeks.
“We keep saying whilst there’s nothing in terms of play-offs, or promotion, or staying in the league to play for, we want to finish as high as we can in the league and we want to show progression from last year.
“We’ve already done that in the points total, so now the challenge is: where can we finish in the league? We still potentially could finish tenth, which would be an amazing achievement. It would be one of the highest finishes ever in this club’s history, so that is still the aim and we’ll have to win two games to do that.
“We have to fully focus on a difficult away game to Northampton and then obviously the last game of the season at SJP.
“It’s a big challenge, Northampton have had a great season as well. They’re one place above us, we know if we win the game we go above them, so there is lots to play for.”
However, as the season reaches its conclusion, the exertions are taking their toll with injuries and tired bodies mounting. Pierce Sweeney, Vince Harper, Yanic Wildschut, Sonny Cox and Jack Aitchison are all absent today, but are hoping to be fit for the season finale at St James Park against Oxford.
“We’ll obviously look after them for next season,” Caldwell said. “I think they’re all desperately trying to get fit for the last game of the season, a full house at SJP and finish the season on a high. If there’s any risk whatsoever Michael (McBride) will let us know and we won’t put them in.”
Likely to feature today is defender Cheick Diabate, fresh from having a one-year extension triggered on his present deal, and Pedro Borges, who made such an impression with an exquisite assist for Luke Harris to score in the 4-2 win at Port Vale last week.
The 18-year-old is likely to be a substitute, but should get more game time, along with 16-year-old Jake Richards, who has settled into League One football with consummate ease.
“He’s a young player with a huge future,” Caldwell said. “We obviously saw him at Mousehole and in preseason when we had younger players coming into the squad and it was great to get eyes on him as a 15-yearold.
“He showed so much personality and quality in possession that he caught our eye. He then got opportunities in EFL games and played a few league games and I think he came on in the Carabao Cup as well against Middlesbrough, so he had great experiences early in the season for a young player.
“And then second half of the season he’s kicked on again and deserves his opportunities and he’s playing extremely well.”
On Borges, Caldwell said: “As with all young players, the development path is never linear, there’s ups and downs and Pedro will be the first to say he’s had a frustrating season.
“He would have wanted to have impacted the first team more than he has but he came on last Saturday and showed his quality, his physicality and the potential that he has as well.
“He’s another player that we have high hopes for and, hopefully, the last two games he gets moments where he can come on the park again and, next season, he comes back ready to really impact the team on a more regular basis.”