A confident Gary Caldwell has insisted he can turn around Exeter City’s form following their latest defeat against Port Vale on Saturday.
The south-west club have had a very poor run recently and currently sit in 20th in League One, whilst also exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Wigan Athletic.
Caldwell has been in charge of the Grecians since October 2022 and guided the club to a respectable 14th-placed finish last season. However, his position now hangs by a thread after a run of games that has seen him pick up just two points from his previous 11 league outings. This run has also seen them concede a staggering 26 goals whilst also scoring twice.
Caldwell remains confident he can turn it around though, and that he retains the full support of the dressing room. Speaking after Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Port Vale, via Devon Live, the manager said:
“It is a small minority and they are entitled to their opinion. Our supporters are incredible, and a lot of the supporters who stayed at the end are supporting myself and the staff and the players and that’s the big thing, we need support.
“You can change the manager but a new manager isn’t going to stick it in the back of the net. We have to stick together as a whole football club. I understand the frustration and if they want to sing what they sang today then fine, as long as they support the players, which I felt they did today, and it is a small minority as so many fans in the stadium are so amazing and supporting the team and myself.”
The pressure has mounted on the Scotsman and it doesn’t get any easier for them with their next four games coming against promotion-chasing Stevenage and Portsmouth, newly rejuvenated Cambridge United and under-performing Wycombe Wanderers.
Writer’s View
Caldwell digging his heels in is to be expected. The fans have made their feelings known down in Devon though, and it seems like just a matter of time before the decision is made.
The club’s most recent league win came back in September when they beat Cheltenham Town and briefly topped the table. However, it does feel like a change is needed to take the Grecians down a different route. Two points from a possible 33 isn’t good form at all.
