Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell has praised Birmingham City as a “top team” ahead of their League One encounter at St James Park this evening.
The Grecians will look to capitalise on Birmingham’s recent slip-up, while the Blues aim to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat to Shrewsbury Town.
Caldwell’s Respect for Birmingham
Caldwell acknowledged Birmingham’s quality and urged Exeter’s supporters to rally behind their team.
“They are a top team, and the challenge that they bring is something we should be really excited about as a club,” Caldwell told Exeter’s official website. “Having watched [the Shrewsbury game] back, Birmingham should have won with the amount of chances they had, but Shrewsbury were ruthless and punished them. We have to analyse Blues for what they are, and that is a very good football team.”
Despite Birmingham’s defeat, Caldwell warned that the Midlands club remains a formidable opponent with aspirations for promotion back to the Championship.
Birmingham’s Season So Far
The Blues currently sit 4th in the League One standings, trailing Wycombe Wanderers, Wrexham, and Stockport County. However, they hold games in hand on their rivals, leaving them well-positioned for a promotion push. Relegated from the Championship last season, Birmingham responded by appointing Chris Davies as manager and bolstering their squad with signings like Jay Stansfield, Christoph Klarer, and Alex Cochrane.
Davies also oversaw an overhaul of the squad, offloading players such as Jordan James, Ivan Sunjic, and Neil Etheridge to create space and funds for new arrivals. While their loss to Shrewsbury was a setback, it highlights the unpredictable nature of League One football.
A Tricky Test at Exeter
Exeter City, known for their resolute defence, could pose a significant challenge for Birmingham. The Grecians boast the second-best defensive record in the division under Caldwell, who has maintained a win rate of 38.3% since his appointment in October 2022.
Caldwell, a former manager of Wigan Athletic, Chesterfield, and Partick Thistle, will aim to leverage his experience to guide his side to a positive result. With St James Park expected to be buzzing, Exeter will hope to frustrate the visitors and perhaps pull off an upset.
Writer’s View
Birmingham City’s clash with Exeter City offers a fascinating test of their promotion credentials. Caldwell’s respect for Birmingham underscores their threat, but Exeter’s disciplined defence could make this a cagey affair. For the Blues, taking their chances will be crucial to avoiding further stumbles in their pursuit of an immediate Championship return.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
