Caldwell demands Exeter play their style of football
WE decide how we play.” That is the message Gary Caldwell has been drumming home to his players as Exeter City return to League One action at Morecambe this evening (7.45pm).
The Grecians turned in an abject performance as they crashed out of the FA Cup last week, losing 4-1 at Oxford United, where they were way off the standards they have set themselves this season.
That loss came after another below-par showing in the 2-0 home defeat to Ipswich Town, and with another tough run of fixtures looming, against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth, Bristol Rovers and Oxford again, it is important City pick up some points in the North West tonight.
However, while confidence may have taken a knock following those back-to-back losses, Caldwell is keen to make sure his players continue to play their way and not be dictated by the opposition, whoever that may be.
“Every day is important and every game is important,” Caldwell said. “The intensity that I demand in training and demand in everything we do, it doesn’t matter who we play against.
“I spoke about this on Monday as well to the players, that we dictate how we play, no matter who we play against. Whether we are in possession or out of possession. I feel like the last few games, we have come away from that a little bit, especially out of possession.
“There’s been a lack of intensity and a lack of understanding having watched it over again but, when we play any team, whether it is this league or any other league, or in a cup competition, we have to be the team that dictates how we play with the ball and without the ball and that has been the clear message this week.
“Whether the other team is near the top of the league, or near the bottom of the league, it shouldn’t matter on how we approach the game.”
The Grecians travelled up to Morecambe yesterday and will have plenty of downtime ahead of tonight’s game. However, Caldwell is keen to use that time wisely with more bonding with his players on the morning of the game.
“We have done a few things, we played a card game at Port Vale., which all the lads play and we all got involved in that and it was great to see people in that environment,” Caldwell said. “We sat and watched England’s miserable draw with America last Friday, so we won’t watch any more England games!
“This week, we are going to go for a walk and do something on Friday morning in preparation for the game, so every opportunity we get to spend with players and talk to players, it’s really important.”
Tonight’s game will once again see the Grecians come up against their pantomime villain, Derek Adams. Ever since he was manager of Plymouth Argyle, he has been a figure of fun for Exeter supporters.
That relationship heightened last season when Adams claimed Exeter were a club that lacked ambition, comments that did not go down well at St James Park, while he was left outraged when the Grecians and the Bantams were asked to replay an FA Cup game following City’s accidental use of a sixth substitute.
The FA requested the game was replayed in Devon, much to Adams’ chagrin, and Exeter then went in to win it and knock his Bradford side out of the Cup.
Adams was then dismissed form Valley Parade in February and returned to Morecambe just nine days later, but the rivalry between Exeter and Adams is sure to continue at the Globe Arena tonight.
“I wonder why that is!” Caldwell said. “I know him, but I don’t know him that well and haven’t come up against him, but I have spoken to him and I can understand where the rivalry comes from in terms of the manager and I am sure the supporters will let him know.”