MATCHWATCH : Exeter City (a)

[Sutekh]

And then 30k will want to go if we get to the final.

The Simod Cup all over again.

[skipper]

Sounds like a good chance for some of the seniors to redeem themselves

Have thought Carson looks a bit ropey defensively in previous games

The previous ganes, thats we've won comfortably???

Yeah because it’s impossible for 1 player to look a bit weak defensively when you win the game isn’t it?

No not at all, but those players won 3, scored 7 and conceded 0.

I mean, we can ask for an improvement I guess, but until yesterday, I'm not sure how much better they could have got! And the game we lose, concede 2 without scoring, is with the change in defence. Makes you wonder....

[Clyde1998]

Just back.
1st half we were 2nd best and rather fortunate to be level. Carson was being mullered, having said that without any help from Knibbs.
Elliot came on for Vickers and the game completely changed. He bossed midfield, put us on the front foot and it looked like a matter of time before we got the second.
However
Their winner was a bit of a choker, with from memory, a long throw from the back by them which turned through play to another long throw into the penalty area, causing confusion from which they scored. Jeeeeez!

Thought Wi Fi and Elliot played well. Special mention to Abbey who put in another decent display.
Tidy ground but a ball ache of a journey down giving very little time for a couple of jars..
The terrace was rammed . Oh for those going the pizza papa john thingy that didn't go today. No alcohol sold in the away end.

Definitely felt like people bought tickets in the seated area but just went to the terrace.

I'm not sure, there didn't seem to be that many empty seats in the stand - so it could only be a handful at most. It felt as tight as I remember Burton, Brentford and Kidderminster being with those away ends sold out. Although some space freed up around me in the second half, so I don't know what happened there.

I noticed there was effectively two terraces (separated by the entrance to the terrace), I wonder if the right-hand terrace (as you enter; the smaller of the two) was much more sparely populated in the first half and people migrated there for the second. Perhaps it was simply a distribution issue between the two terraces that made it feel tight.

[tidus_mi2]

Just back.
1st half we were 2nd best and rather fortunate to be level. Carson was being mullered, having said that without any help from Knibbs.
Elliot came on for Vickers and the game completely changed. He bossed midfield, put us on the front foot and it looked like a matter of time before we got the second.
However
Their winner was a bit of a choker, with from memory, a long throw from the back by them which turned through play to another long throw into the penalty area, causing confusion from which they scored. Jeeeeez!

Thought Wi Fi and Elliot played well. Special mention to Abbey who put in another decent display.
Tidy ground but a ball ache of a journey down giving very little time for a couple of jars..
The terrace was rammed . Oh for those going the pizza papa john thingy that didn't go today. No alcohol sold in the away end.

Definitely felt like people bought tickets in the seated area but just went to the terrace.

I'm not sure, there didn't seem to be that many empty seats in the stand - so it could only be a handful at most. It felt as tight as I remember Burton, Brentford and Kidderminster being with those away ends sold out. Although some space freed up around me in the second half, so I don't know what happened there.

I noticed there was effectively two terraces (separated by the entrance to the terrace), I wonder if the right-hand terrace (as you enter; the smaller of the two) was much more sparely populated in the first half and people migrated there for the second. Perhaps it was simply a distribution issue between the two terraces that made it feel tight.

Might have been some miscommunication because at one point a bloke in high vis told everyone in seated to go to Gate 6 and everyone for standing to go to Gate 5, but my ticket said Gate 6 standing so it was kinda confusing.

[CountryRoyal]

Just back.
1st half we were 2nd best and rather fortunate to be level. Carson was being mullered, having said that without any help from Knibbs.
Elliot came on for Vickers and the game completely changed. He bossed midfield, put us on the front foot and it looked like a matter of time before we got the second.
However
Their winner was a bit of a choker, with from memory, a long throw from the back by them which turned through play to another long throw into the penalty area, causing confusion from which they scored. Jeeeeez!

Thought Wi Fi and Elliot played well. Special mention to Abbey who put in another decent display.
Tidy ground but a ball ache of a journey down giving very little time for a couple of jars..
The terrace was rammed . Oh for those going the pizza papa john thingy that didn't go today. No alcohol sold in the away end.

Definitely felt like people bought tickets in the seated area but just went to the terrace.

I'm not sure, there didn't seem to be that many empty seats in the stand - so it could only be a handful at most. It felt as tight as I remember Burton, Brentford and Kidderminster being with those away ends sold out. Although some space freed up around me in the second half, so I don't know what happened there.

I noticed there was effectively two terraces (separated by the entrance to the terrace), I wonder if the right-hand terrace (as you enter; the smaller of the two) was much more sparely populated in the first half and people migrated there for the second. Perhaps it was simply a distribution issue between the two terraces that made it feel tight.

Two of the lads next to me moved to the terrace at HT.

[Ascotexgunner]

I find Selles in game management nothing short of pathetic.

I have no idea what you're talking about ...

He's a div.

I said in my subsequent comment Im still prepared to give him time. You said after Port Vale 10-15 games, so not too dissimilar to div like me....In answer as to why I made the comment, Selles is not reactive enough for me, just an opinion but watching young Carson get slaughtered down the left and a manager being non reactive showed that.
I didn't want Selles, I like the guy, like I liked Paunovic, and Im prepared to give him time and I really really hope he builds something special, but after say 15 games if we are still losing games like this and Port Vale away we can't keep saying "well their young and inexperienced", they should be up and running.
Then we come to the captaincy. Under Abbey, the organisation has been brilliant.....but yesterday he brings on Yiadom who gets the armband...that shouldn't happen. Selles needs to make his mind up who the bloody captain and organiser is. It should be Abbey. I'd like to know who was organising what leading up to that winner.

[CountryRoyal]

I have no idea what you're talking about ...

He's a div.

I said in my subsequent comment Im still prepared to give him time. You said after Port Vale 10-15 games, so not too dissimilar to div like me....In answer as to why I made the comment, Selles is not reactive enough for me, just an opinion but watching young Carson get slaughtered down the left and a manager being non reactive showed that.
I didn't want Selles, I like the guy, like I liked Paunovic, and Im prepared to give him time and I really really hope he builds something special, but after say 15 games if we are still losing games like this and Port Vale away we can't keep saying "well their young and inexperienced", they should be up and running.
Then we come to the captaincy. Under Abbey, the organisation has been brilliant.....but yesterday he brings on Yiadom who gets the armband...that shouldn't happen. Selles needs to make his mind up who the bloody captain and organiser is. It should be Abbey. I'd like to know who was organising what leading up to that winner.

Isn’t Yiadom the club captain? He has to have the armband when he plays. Whether or not he should or not is a different matter.

You’re saying you’re prepared to give him time, then saying he’s nothing short of pathetic and bemoaning practically everything. It’s confusing.

[Snowflake Royal]

He's a div.

I said in my subsequent comment Im still prepared to give him time. You said after Port Vale 10-15 games, so not too dissimilar to div like me....In answer as to why I made the comment, Selles is not reactive enough for me, just an opinion but watching young Carson get slaughtered down the left and a manager being non reactive showed that.
I didn't want Selles, I like the guy, like I liked Paunovic, and Im prepared to give him time and I really really hope he builds something special, but after say 15 games if we are still losing games like this and Port Vale away we can't keep saying "well their young and inexperienced", they should be up and running.
Then we come to the captaincy. Under Abbey, the organisation has been brilliant.....but yesterday he brings on Yiadom who gets the armband...that shouldn't happen. Selles needs to make his mind up who the bloody captain and organiser is. It should be Abbey. I'd like to know who was organising what leading up to that winner.

Isn’t Yiadom the club captain? He has to have the armband when he plays. Whether or not he should or not is a different matter.

You’re saying you’re prepared to give him time, then saying he’s nothing short of pathetic and bemoaning practically everything. It’s confusing.

Yeah, bitching and moaning about things that aren’t even valid criticisms isn’t giving anyone time.

He made two HT subs ffs. Five in total. And I can understand a reluctance to remove Carson given the alternative was McIntyre and their 21 was very rapid, something Tom struggles to deal with.


Tactical first half subs are rare than hens teeth.

[From Despair To Where?]

Seems to me that most of the criticisms thrown at Ince; lacking dynamism, one dimensional, tactically rigid, no plan B, doesn't make substitutions, doesn't trust youth, has his favourites, absolutely cannot be thrown at Selles.

I do wonder what some people want or expect. This team is on a steep learning curve, they will make mistakes but as long as they learn from those mistakes and we keep moving forward, I don't know what more we can ask for. People are already talking about looking forward to games for the first time in years. After just 6 games, that sounds like progress to me.

[Clyde1998]

Definitely felt like people bought tickets in the seated area but just went to the terrace.

I'm not sure, there didn't seem to be that many empty seats in the stand - so it could only be a handful at most. It felt as tight as I remember Burton, Brentford and Kidderminster being with those away ends sold out. Although some space freed up around me in the second half, so I don't know what happened there.

I noticed there was effectively two terraces (separated by the entrance to the terrace), I wonder if the right-hand terrace (as you enter; the smaller of the two) was much more sparely populated in the first half and people migrated there for the second. Perhaps it was simply a distribution issue between the two terraces that made it feel tight.

Might have been some miscommunication because at one point a bloke in high vis told everyone in seated to go to Gate 6 and everyone for standing to go to Gate 5, but my ticket said Gate 6 standing so it was kinda confusing.

There seemed to be very little co-ordination outside the ground. We were stuck outside the gates on the coach for about ten minutes waiting for the stewards to confirm where the coaches would pick up people up from. My ticket said Gate 6 for standing, but was told to go to Gate 5 for entry too.

Perhaps unclear communication or poor co-ordination is something we need to get used to at this level. Port Vale was a bit of a mess too, but I put that down to it being the first match they had away fans in the stand we were in. You would've thought these things would be the easiest to get right though.

[Royal_jimmy]

Just back.
1st half we were 2nd best and rather fortunate to be level. Carson was being mullered, having said that without any help from Knibbs.
Elliot came on for Vickers and the game completely changed. He bossed midfield, put us on the front foot and it looked like a matter of time before we got the second.
However
Their winner was a bit of a choker, with from memory, a long throw from the back by them which turned through play to another long throw into the penalty area, causing confusion from which they scored. Jeeeeez!

Thought Wi Fi and Elliot played well. Special mention to Abbey who put in another decent display.
Tidy ground but a ball ache of a journey down giving very little time for a couple of jars..
The terrace was rammed . Oh for those going the pizza papa john thingy that didn't go today. No alcohol sold in the away end.

No-one is going to that shit.

I'm going

[leon]

Seems to me that most of the criticisms thrown at Ince; lacking dynamism, one dimensional, tactically rigid, no plan B, doesn't make substitutions, doesn't trust youth, has his favourites, absolutely cannot be thrown at Selles.

I do wonder what some people want or expect. This team is on a steep learning curve, they will make mistakes but as long as they learn from those mistakes and we keep moving forward, I don't know what more we can ask for. People are already talking about looking forward to games for the first time in years. After just 6 games, that sounds like progress to me.

Whilst I get the optimism it hasn’t been a great start results wise which is understandable with such a young team. Expectations need to be reined in for this season as the team learns and matures. Need to be more clinical in front of goal though.

[Hound]

Seems to me that most of the criticisms thrown at Ince; lacking dynamism, one dimensional, tactically rigid, no plan B, doesn't make substitutions, doesn't trust youth, has his favourites, absolutely cannot be thrown at Selles.

I do wonder what some people want or expect. This team is on a steep learning curve, they will make mistakes but as long as they learn from those mistakes and we keep moving forward, I don't know what more we can ask for. People are already talking about looking forward to games for the first time in years. After just 6 games, that sounds like progress to me.

Yeah no complaints with Selles from me

Think there are things he could have done differently but then I don’t see or hear the players every day

Not sure NGW should be sidelined but then not sure what’s happened there. Thought the PV selection was the wrong one immediately it was announced. Other more minor things

But generally like what he is trying to do, esp considering the players available to him. Can only see us getting better (and pretty sure Smith will make a big difference - him and Ehibhatiomhan up front could be excellent)

[From Despair To Where?]

Seems to me that most of the criticisms thrown at Ince; lacking dynamism, one dimensional, tactically rigid, no plan B, doesn't make substitutions, doesn't trust youth, has his favourites, absolutely cannot be thrown at Selles.

I do wonder what some people want or expect. This team is on a steep learning curve, they will make mistakes but as long as they learn from those mistakes and we keep moving forward, I don't know what more we can ask for. People are already talking about looking forward to games for the first time in years. After just 6 games, that sounds like progress to me.

Whilst I get the optimism it hasn’t been a great start results wise which is understandable with such a young team. Expectations need to be reined in for this season as the team learns and matures. Need to be more clinical in front of goal though.

That's why I'm not judging success by points on the board or league position at this stage. We've had 6 games and Selles is starting to work out what his best XI is. I see a lot of progress in the set up of the team and the style of play and recruitment had been pretty much spot on. As the understanding increases, results will get better.

[Stranded]

Seems to me that most of the criticisms thrown at Ince; lacking dynamism, one dimensional, tactically rigid, no plan B, doesn't make substitutions, doesn't trust youth, has his favourites, absolutely cannot be thrown at Selles.

I do wonder what some people want or expect. This team is on a steep learning curve, they will make mistakes but as long as they learn from those mistakes and we keep moving forward, I don't know what more we can ask for. People are already talking about looking forward to games for the first time in years. After just 6 games, that sounds like progress to me.

Whilst I get the optimism it hasn’t been a great start results wise which is understandable with such a young team. Expectations need to be reined in for this season as the team learns and matures. Need to be more clinical in front of goal though.

No it hasn't but I look at like this - Selles, understandably gave the more senior names the shirt at the start of the season - they had the apperances and experience and with a small squad available, most managers would go with them. Against Peterborough, there were signs and we played well for the first 30, didn't score and tired - again understandably.

At Millwall, he saw a side that executed the game plan perfectly but we hadn't played that badly against Peterborough, so made sense to go with the senior players and maybe ease some more of the younger ones in off the bench. We all know how Vale went - may have been different if AC had scored the pen but 2nd half was universally awful and if rumours are to believed there were issues within the squad afterwards.

Selles can now see the senior players either don't have the legs, mentality or talent to drive the game the way he wants so reverts to the younger side with a couple of more experienced heads - back to back home wins followed by a terrible first half but unlike the seniors, this side kept plugging away, got to half time level, luckily, but after the break played more like he wants us too and should have been ahead before the sucker punch.

There should be no expectation on this younger side but they have picked up 6/9 (well 5) - mid table consolidation is the key this year and add more quality next year for a promotion/play-off push - anything more is a bonus but the relatively poor start is a direct result of the shocking summer we had and Selles deciding to give the old guard their chance before making the shift.

[Hound]

Mid table and no more Dai screw ups would be a good season. If we can get some proper stability off the pitch then we’re setting up some good structure on it to move forward again

If Smith comes back firing then I think we can look a little higher. Ejaria and Wing also well capable of making a difference though expecting that more from the latter

[blythspartan]

I honestly don’t know what my expectations are atm. In the league table thread set up by IR I’ve got us to win the playoffs, but realistically I think mid table. I am enjoying this season more than any since 2011/12 and unlike some of the people on Twitter, I don’t believe we have a divine right to be beating teams like Exeter.

I am expecting the odd thumping along the way and that would be painful against Oxford, but the last few years have taught me to suck it up. Whatever happens I am hoping that we can finish the season strongly as that’s often a good indication of how the following season might go.

[Snowflake Royal]

Thing is, it's a 46 game season. Things will change as you progressthrough a season and expectations need to adapt with it.

This is why I don't start the season with hard expectations, but instead a gradient of success. If things go well, you focus in on the upper end, if it goes badly you forget about the big ambitions and focus on what's still ok.

That's why my view is: the goal is promotion, play offs is good. Top half is ok, midtable is a bit disappointing but will do for now, surviving a relegation fight is failure but we go again next year and hopefully were improving, and relegation is a disaster. Unless we've been badly run and fighting it badly for years in whichcase it's inevitable, lets get it over with and try a reset at a lower level.

As long as no serious damage is done, no individual failed season really matters. Because there is always another one a few months away.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

I still think we will be in and around the play off places, I'd personally be disappointed but not disheartened if we were to finish say 8th on the last day or with a couple of games to go but I think overall for the season that would still be ok.

I'd anticipate the team to grow into the season, we still have a few days of the transfer window left to bring players in which I think we still might. We also have a lot of games for the current crop of regular youngsters in the first team to gain some experience and develop and, if not, I believe we could maybe use the January window to bring in a couple of loans to improve the team if needs be.

We just need to be patient, I think overall it wasn't a poor performance but obviously they key with the young lads is consistency and they just need to learn to have that bit of quality where it matters in both boxes. But I can see a lot of these players growing over the season, or management bringing someone in if something isn't quite working and I still believe we will end up somewhere between 4th and 10th. I think the situation has knocked us back a bit early on which will cost us a good shot at the automatics, but I think there is enough quality in our squad in respect to the rest of the league that we can still finish in the play off places for sure.

[Mr Angry]

Seems to me that most of the criticisms thrown at Ince; lacking dynamism, one dimensional, tactically rigid, no plan B, doesn't make substitutions, doesn't trust youth, has his favourites, absolutely cannot be thrown at Selles.

I do wonder what some people want or expect. This team is on a steep learning curve, they will make mistakes but as long as they learn from those mistakes and we keep moving forward, I don't know what more we can ask for. People are already talking about looking forward to games for the first time in years. After just 6 games, that sounds like progress to me.

100% agree.

What we are seeing is the embroynic rebirth of this football club on the pitch, and one that - in 2 or 3 seasons - may well be a major force at this level and into the Championship. Give the lads some time and accept that we aren't going to go 33 games unbeaten again; there are some good as well as tough teams at this level, and we have no God given right to expect to won every game. That level of arrogant entitlement is out of place and people who think like that need to get real.