Following an excellent start to the season, Exeter City rapidly nose-dived down the League One table and went 13 games without a victory in England’s second tier before eventually beating Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 on Boxing Day.
The Grecians managed just six league victories in the first half of the campaign but have now picked up five wins since the turn of the year, including four in their last five outings. Only Bristol Rovers and Reading have been victorious over the Devon club in 2024.
Under the guidance of Gary Caldwell, Exeter’s significantly improved form has seen the relegation-threatened side blitz to mid-table, now eight points above the drop zone, although every team below them has at least one game in hand.
Exeter City have some difficult games on the horizon, especially a fixture at St. James Park on Tuesday night against promotion hopefuls Derby County, who suffered a disappointing 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town at the weekend.
Speaking ahead of the home clash, head coach Caldwell revealed that his team’s work out of possession has been the key to success over the past few weeks [quotes via Derbyshire Live]:
“It’ll be another tough match. They are a huge club – one that I played for many years ago. They are a club you would expect to be in at least the Championship, so they will come down here with a big expectation and a big following, but hopefully we can cause another upset.
“We have been fantastic out of possession in the last few games and that gives you a real big chance to win games. When you make it hard for the opposition, one goal can change the game, and that builds confidence.”
💬 "They will come down here with a big expectation and a big following, but hopefully we can cause another upset."
Gary Caldwell on @dcfcofficial's visit to SJP on Tuesday night ⬇️#ECFC #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/Aod2Ls1mRf
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) February 12, 2024
The former Derby defender also admitted that he still wants to see some improvements in possession from his side, who have the joint-third worst attacking record in the division:
“We are in a good place and we want to keep building. There are things from Saturday we have to do better, even though we won. I want us to be better on the ball and I spoke to the players about that this morning,” he continued.
“There is a good feeling, the confidence and the belief is there.”
Writer’s View
Exeter City have been in sensational form since the turn of the year. However, the side’s position could cause complacency to trickle into the squad, something Caldwell will certainly be aware of over the coming weeks.
The Grecians are eight points above safety but Port Vale, who occupy 21st in League One, have played three games fewer, meaning Exeter’s work has only just begun. A win over Derby would prove to the rest of their competitors that they mean business in the race for survival.
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