Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell has hit out at the fixture schedule once again after branding his side’s recent run of long-distance away trips a “joke”.
The Grecians slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Northampton Town on Saturday, leaving their manager frustrated by both the schedule and his side’s sluggish start.
Exeter Undone Early
Exeter’s afternoon at Sixfields unravelled within the opening quarter of an hour. Ethan Wheatley thumped home after just 57 seconds, before Max Dyche doubled the lead in the 16th minute to put the Cobblers in full control.
Caldwell admitted his players were second best in the opening stages, but reserved particular frustration for the calendar, which sent his side on back-to-back long journeys. Exeter had travelled six hours midweek for a 1-0 victory at Wycombe Wanderers, then faced another seven-hour round trip to Northampton days later.
“I think it’s a joke that we have to travel as far as we have this week, especially on a Bank Holiday weekend when other teams have home games,” Caldwell said. “It’s a big effort from the fans and they had to do it on Tuesday night and again today. That makes it difficult for us, but it’s an incredible effort from the supporters.”
The City manager added that the congested run stretched his squad:
“The squad gets extremely stretched when we play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday. We’re missing a few players as well and that makes it difficult to put a team out that is physically up to the task at this level.”
Captain Calls for Focus
Despite Caldwell’s comments, captain Jack Fitzwater was keen not to use travel as an excuse. The defender stressed that Exeter had only themselves to blame for the result.
“There’s a long journey almost every week when you play for Exeter City so that can’t be an excuse,” he said. “Every team will have to make the trip to us during the season. We just didn’t start right and gave ourselves a mountain to climb. We only started playing at 2-0 down, but by then it’s easy because they sit off.”
Exeter improved after the interval, controlling possession and creating chances, but poor finishing and lack of cutting edge in the final third prevented any comeback. Caldwell acknowledged his players must be more ruthless if they are to compete consistently in League One.
Writer’s View
Caldwell’s frustration is understandable. Exeter are one of the most geographically isolated clubs in the EFL, and demanding midweek trips followed by another long journey days later place strain on players and supporters alike. Yet Fitzwater’s comments ring true: the slow start at Sixfields was self-inflicted.
Conceding twice so early left Exeter chasing shadows, and even their improved second-half display could not undo the damage. If the Grecians are to push on this season, they must learn to manage adversity and ensure long trips do not become an excuse for missed opportunities.
