Exeter City: The Season So Far

As Exeter City reach the half-way mark in the 2012-13 season, now is the perfect time to look back on how they have fared up until this stage. Alex Bonner looks back and outlines what the Grecians should aim to achieve come May

How City have fared so far

At the time of writing, City sit 13^th in the League Two table, having accumulated 32 points thus far. This puts them seven points away from the play-off positions, with some tough fixtures yet to come – including the likes of Oxford United and Burton Albion, currently seventh and third in the league respectively.

Following early exits in both the FA Cup and Capital One Cup, the club’s full attention is currently focused towards mounting a challenge for a top-seven finish. Suffering from the loss of star striker Jamie Cureton, who departed for fellow League Two side Cheltenham at the start of the season, the Grecians are desperate for some kind of form, with a position in the play-offs right now looking at best an outside possibility.

David Wheeler has been one of Exeter’s most impressive players this season. Photo: exeterexpressandecho.co.uk

Such a state of affairs is a far cry from the opening few months of City’s campaign, with early momentum achieved with wins against Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon and York. Further away wins against Northampton and Fleetwood town were then followed up by a barnstorming performance in the Devon Derby against Plymouth Argyle at St. James Park and an equally impressive 4-0 victory away to Scunthorpe – after which the Grecians were occupying the lofty position of third in the league.

That proved to be the high water mark of the campaign so far, however, as City failed to win in the next seven games, suffering four consecutive losses. The rot was stopped by an away win against Accrington Stanley in December, after which City still sat a respectable fifth in the table, but a recent run of poor form, a 3-1 away win to Torquay the only time the squad hasn’t lost in the last five games, has seen them slump all the way down to their current mid-table position.

Most Promising Performers

Alan Gow (Striker) – Having been at the club since 2012, Gow has adapted well to the demands of League Two this season. With six goals and a handful of assists in the league so far, Gow has been one of Exeter’s more consistent performers. Having signed a new two-year contract for the club, Exeter have been rewarded by Gow’s consistency of late.

Arron Davies (Winger) – Having featured in all of Exeter’s league games this season, Davies has been an ever present figure for the Grecians. This season has seen the Welshman add more elements to his game, now contributing more assists and goals to the team. Davies’s best moment of the season so far came against Scunthorpe, scoring a goal that was executed with both extreme control and power:

David Wheeler (Winger) – Accompanying Davies at the position of winger, Wheeler has performed well this season, with the Englishman putting in some consistent performances of late. Having signed with Exeter in August 2013, after impressing on trial, Wheeler has gone on to represent City in 19 league games, with his direct running and tireless work rate proving an enormous asset to the team.

Most Disappointing Performers 

Pat Baldwin (Defender) – Following a strong season for the defender last year, this season has proved to be a torrid one so for Baldwin. City have been criticized for their poor defensive record, having conceded 34 goals this season, meaning players like Baldwin will need to improve if the Grecians are to have any chances of reaching the play–offs.

Arthur Krysiak (Goalkeeper) – Though Exeter’s defence has been lacklustre this year, some blame should also be apportioned to Exeter’s goalkeeper, Krysiak, for the unacceptably high number of goals that have been conceded. This one scored by Portsmouth epitomises the Pole’s poor form of late:

Prospects for the remainder of the season

Following a shaky first half of the 2013–14 season, City will have to achieve far greater consistency in the coming months to have any chance of achieving a much sought-after play–off spot. March will likely prove pivotal for City, as the team will encounter a tough run of fixtures that will likely determine the outcome of their season.

Following just five away wins, City will need to improve their away form to have any chance of climbing the table. Despite sitting 13th, Exeter are in fact alarmingly close to the relegation zone, with local rivals Torquay, who currently occupy one of the relegation spots, just six points off City.

Despite boasting some strength in depth, the top clubs in League Two still boast stronger line-ups than the current Exeter squad, meaning a return to League One simply isn’t feasible at the present time. With the lack of financial resources available to City, the club are unlikely to strengthen considerably over January, further denting their promotion ambitions.

That said, achieving a top 10 league standing come the end of the season should prove a realistic objective for City, and, if realised, will prove a solid platform on which to build in subsequent seasons.

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Freshers' guide to: Exeter City FC

Welcome to Exeter University, fellow football fan. I’m sure if you were like me last year, not only have you said farewell to your friends and family, but also to your beloved football club! Fear not, for when you chose to come to Exeter I bet you didn’t take into consideration that our very own football side was the first ever opposition to take on the legendary Brazil national team! Anyway, allow me to explain to you a bit about Exeter City, and why they just might become your adopted club for the next few years of your life.

A brief history

Exeter City F.C. was founded in 1904. On a tour of South America in 1914, the club which is affectionately known as “The Grecians” played against the likes of Brazil and Argentina, cementing their place in South American football history – so much so that in 2014, the current Exeter City side will be travelling to Brazil to face the fantastic Fluminense.

Exeter enjoyed an 83 year spell in the football league, only to be relegated to the conference in 2003. In spite of this, they managed an amazing feat of drawing 0-0 with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the third round of the FA Cup in 2005, and forced the Red Devils to play at Exeter’s very own St. James Park for the replay.

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale, also a former player for Southampton and Bristol City, looks on. Photo credits to wearegoingup.co.uk

Exeter’s fortunes really changed in 2006 when the current boss Paul Tisdale (second longest serving manager in the whole of the football league) took over. ‘Tis’ guided Exeter to back-to-back promotions in 07/08 and 08/09 seasons before Exeter were sadly relegated from League 1 to League 2 in the 11/12 season.

2012/13 season summary

Last season was to prove to be an extremely frustrating one for the Grecians. Exeter wanted an immediate return to the third tier of English football, and whilst several star players had to be sold, experience in the form of Jamie Cureton, Kevin Amankwaah, Matt Oakley, and Tommy Doherty was brought in to achieve this.

Whilst there were many veteran figures in the Exeter side, this did not stop many of the clubs fledging academy products making their league debuts too, including Jake Gosling, Jacob Cane, Jamie Reid, and Jordan Moore Taylor. Whilst the club spent most of the season in the playoff places, often lurking just outside the automatics spots, an unlucky bout of injuries coupled with disastrous form saw Exeter lose six of their last seven games and slip to 10^th in the final standings.

Star players

Danny Coles – Coles is a tough tackling, no-nonsense centre half who wears his heart on his sleeve whilst captaining the Grecians. The former Bristol City, Hull, and Bristol Rovers player is very much liked at St. James Park and has gone on to achieve a formidable partnership with fellow centre back Pat Baldwin since his arrival in 2011.

Danny Coles, who has played for Exeter City since 2011. Photo credits to thisisexeter.co.uk

Alan Gow – Gow is a tricky attacking midfield who is regarded by many to be far too good to be playing in League 2. Having plied his trade at Rangers and Blackpool in the past, this is a player who brings experience and talent in abundance to Exeter. Dogged with injuries last season, he will be able to bring the points back on his own to SJP if he can maintain his fitness.

John O’Flynn  – The Irish striker scored an impressive 12 goals for Exeter last season, and is liked by the fans for his tremendous work rate. Now with the departure of Jamie Cureton to League 2 rivals Cheltenham this year, O’Flynn will have to try and score even more goals as well as quickly forming a bond with new summer signing, Sam Parkin.

Prices and how to get there

If you are a fan of a team in the Premiership or the Championship, you will be used to paying exorbitant prices to watch your club; this isn’t a problem at Exeter. To stand in the atmospheric Big Bank behind the goal with the most passionate of Exeter fans costs just £5 which you can buy at the Student Guild Information Point or simply on the gates.

Whilst the standard of football may well be a little less refined than what you may be used to, this is a fantastic price for 90 minutes of a Football League match. Moreover, if you’re a fan of Cornish pasties or perhaps a cup of old school Bovril, you will find the St. James Park refreshments to your taste!

St. James Park is within easy reach of campus, requiring a mere ten minute walk from the Forum. Not only is it very cheap to go and cheer on the Grecians, but the stadium is virtually on your doorstep!

To keep track of Exeter’s fortunes, be sure to check Exeposé Online regularly for match reports and tune into Xpression FM for debates and analysis regarding the Grecians’ performances. Finally, both Exeposé Online and Xpression FM offer you the chance to report or commentate at St. James Park with a press pass, an opportunity not to be missed for those interested in sports media. All that’s left to say is have a great fresher year at Exeter, and Up the Grecians!

Joe Alexander