Exeter City vs Ipswich Town EFLT Preview & Matchday Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 8:59 pm
Exeter City FC v Ipswich Town
Saturday 4th January 2020 – 15:00
St James Park
Pre-Match Thoughts - Mike
It's A Start.......
Our New Year's Day trip to League leaders Wycombe Wanderers ended with honours even after a 1-1 draw which in truth should really have seen Town come home with all the points, while that elusive win still evades us it was without doubt a performance from which we can build on and I think it is fair to say it was a pretty good reaction to the Lincoln debacle which was beyond bad. With the Sky cameras in attendance Town finally put on a half decent show in front of a much bigger audiance, something that has proved difficult to achieve in the past.
There were certain things that pleased me in the game, our passing was much better than it was at Sincil Bank, our movement and closing down also showed a marked improvement and much of the time we tried to play it out from the back when in possession, watch it back and you will see just how many times Will Norris rolled the ball out to a full back to get us moving forward, it didn't always come off but it was a sign that we were at least trying to do it the right way, yes we hoofed it now and again but Wycombe seemed to do it throughout the game and once again I wasn't particularly impressed with them.
I felt the front pairing of Norwood & Jackson looked far more lively too and linked up well on a few occasions, Alan Judge was another who showed improvement but for me it was Emyr Huws who caught my eye, for a long time now we have been waiting for him to come to the party and while it wasn't vintage it was a decent and controlled performance from Huws which seemed to add a bit of composure to the Midfield, if he can keep that going he will be an integral part of the team in the second half of the season, add to that a cameo from Teddy Bishop and suddenly Midfield looks well blessed with options again.
I just wish we could get that crucial second goal when on top, Edwards had a earlier effort cleared off the line, Judge's header was tipped over and Norwood just put his effort wide as he ghosted in at the far post so the chances were there which is pleasing, converting them would have been even nicer but it will surely come. The goal when it did come was a beauty with the alert Luke Garbutt putting in a killer cross for Norwood to meet it with a bullet header, a move that totally caught out the hosts, this is what Garbutt can do and while his free kicks are lethal his general delivery has been lacking quality recently. To come away from the League leaders disappointed at only getting a point can only be a good thing as it means we generally did ok, there is however still much room for improvement as at times we looked ragged defensively and their goal was once again poor from us, Three defenders looked a bit static and what the heck Norris was doing again god only knows !!! This is my biggest gripe with Paul Lambert right now, he just has to realise that virtually every man and his dog wants to see Tomasz Holy back between the sticks, it has to happen against Accrington Saturday week.
A Long Term Vision......
Just as Adams Park was coming into view on Wednesday the news was filtering through that Paul Lambert had signed a new Four year deal tying him to the club until 2025, at first there were thoughts of it being a wind up but gradually it was appearing everywhere and I have to say that I am delighted with it. For me it shows we are trying to build something here again with a long term plan and vision, chopping and changing solves nothing and the PR side of what Lambert has done has breathed life back into the club again, yes it needs to happen on the pitch too, we all know that but by and large it isn't a disaster where we currently find ourselves, this season is our best chance to go back up even if history tells us teams tend to struggle for a year or Two following relegation to league One and this is not lost on Lambert & Evans, as Lambert said he will be giving it his all.
As always some are sceptical and some far from happy with the new deal, some felt waiting until the Summer could have been better to see where we are but like some have said I disagree with that, I think it was exactly the right time to show some commitment and unity, I suppose it all depends on how each individual views it, I still maintain there is nobody better at this level of Football than who we already have, once this blip is over and we get back to winnings ways I know for a fact the "anti" voices will subside, at least until the next defeat comes around.
Another Step Closer To Wembley......
It's back to cup action this Saturday with a long haul trip down to Exeter City in the EFL Cup, a win here and we will be a mere Two steps from a day out at Wembley, something nobody would be disappointed with. Paul Lambert has stated that he will be "going strong" with regard to team selection and that is good to hear, yes there will be changes, we know that but the changes should be along the lines of the Kenlock's, Nolan's, Sears's Dozzell's, El Mizouni's, Dobra's of this world and will all due respect to Exeter it SHOULD be strong enough to get the job done.
I think Town will do this one and although it is only the cup it will hopefully get us back to winning ways, it's great to hear that we sold out our original allocation of tickets and more were being made available so the fans are taking a bit more interest in this cup the further into it we go, surprise surprise. Away win for me as Wembley moves a step closer. Keep the faith. COYB'S
The Opposition – Exeter City FC
Exeter City F.C. was formed from two predecessor clubs, Exeter United F.C. and St Sidwell's United. Exeter United was a football club from Exeter, Devon, that played between 1890 and 1904. In 1904, Exeter United lost 3–1 to local rivals St Sidwell's United and after the match it was agreed that the two clubs should become one. The new team took the name 'Exeter City' and continued to play at Exeter United's ground, St James Park, where Exeter City still play today. Exeter United was formed from the cricket team of the same name and were one of the first football teams with the moniker 'United'. St Sidwell's United (which had also been known as St Sidwell's Wesleyans and St Sidwell's Old Boys) was a club that had formed from the regulars who frequented the Foresters Inn in Sidwell Street, Exeter, although the public house was always known as the Drum and Monkey. The team played in St Sidwell's old colours of green and white.
On 10 September 1904, Exeter City played its first ever competitive match, a 2–1 victory at St James over 110th Battery of the Royal Artillery, in the East Devon League. The attendance was 600, and the winning goal scored by Sid Thomas, who was to serve the club in various capacities for 70 years. City topped the East Devon League with 11 wins, two draws, one defeat in its first season, and transferred to the Plymouth & District League for next three seasons.
In 1908, Exeter City A.F.C. became a limited company. City became a full-time professional team, and applied successfully for membership of the Southern League, replacing Tottenham Hotspur. A wooden grandstand was erected, and the club entered into a leasing arrangement over the ground.
City changed to its current colours of red and white in 1910. This was after having had a poor start to the season (only two wins out of 11). City abandoned its supposedly unlucky green and white kit, and turned out for the first time in red and white striped shirts at home to West Ham United on 12 November. The result of the game was a 0–0 draw, but five consecutive league wins came for the club in December, and the change of colours stuck.
City made an historic tour of South America in 1914, during which time it played eight matches against teams of Argentina and Brazil. The Brazil national football team is believed to have played its first ever game against City on 21 July, at the Laranjeiras stadium, Rio de Janeiro, home of Fluminense Football Club. The result of the match is disputed, with some sources claiming City lost 2–0, whilst others claiming a 3–3 draw. That was the last match of the tour, which yielded five wins, one draw and two defeats. The only other loss was in a match that kicked off 12 hours after the players got off the boat.
Exeter City were invited by the Football League to become founder members of the Third Division in 1920.
City's historic first match in the Football League took place on Saturday 28 August 1920, when Brentford was the visiting team to St James Park. Exeter won 3–0.
In 1931, City reached the sixth round of the FA Cup, losing a replay 4–2 to Sunderland in front of its largest ever home gate. 50 years later, City reached the sixth round again, but lost 2–0 to eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur. Earlier Exeter had beaten Newcastle United 4–0 having beaten Leicester City in the previous round.
In the 1963–64 season, City achieved their first ever promotion, going up to Division Three. However, City were relegated just two seasons later. It wasn't until 1977 that they would return to Division Three, under the guidance of Bobby Saxton.
The end of the 1970s and the very early 1980s were regarded as City's most successful spell in the Third Division, including a finish of 8th in 1979–80 and an FA Cup run the following season. Star players included Tony Kellow, John Delve and David Pullar.
City's only major trophy so far has been the Fourth Division Championship which it won in 1990. In that season, City won 20 league games at St James Park, and remained undefeated in 31 home matches, including dramatic draws against Norwich City in the FA Cup third round and Sunderland in the League Cup 4th round, both of which featured late equalisers for the visitors.
Following that promotion, City rarely shone at the higher level. The departure of manager Terry Cooper and key players such as Shaun Taylor, Richard Dryden, Clive Whitehead, Brian McDermott and Steve Neville left new boss Alan Ball to pick up the pieces. There were some successes under the former World Cup winner—including winning both games against local rivals Plymouth in the clubs' first derbies for a decade in the 1992/93 season—but Ball left for Southampton in January 1994 and the returning Cooper was unable to save Exeter from relegation.
Back in the bottom division, City struggled for nearly a decade, with chairman Ivor Doble taking the club into administration and starting a chain of events that resulted in the sale of the club's ground. In November 1994, the club almost went out of business and sold its stadium to Beazer Homes for a sum of £650,000, but were able to stay there after the local council took it over. After nearly two years on the brink of closure, the club came out of administration on 1 August 1996, although the problems on the field were far from over.
In 2003, City finished 23rd in Division Three and was relegated to the Conference National; Exeter were the first club to suffer automatic relegation without finishing bottom of the league. City won their last game against Southend United 1–0, but were still relegated as Swansea City's victory over Hull City left the Grecians one point short of safety.
Following relegation to the Conference, the club was taken over by the Exeter City Supporters' Trust, purchasing a majority shareholding on 5 September 2003. In May 2007 two of the Directors who had been in charge during season 2002–2003 were convicted of fraudulent trading at the club, John Russell receiving a prison sentence and Mike Lewis a community service sentence.
Several million pounds in debt and with no big investor in sight, the Trust kept the club going through fund-raising activities amongst rank-and-file supporters. Complex legal arguments with both Inland Revenue and football authorities meant that City's first season of non-league football was plagued by off-the-field uncertainty. The claim was finally dropped in June 2004.
In 2004, a Creditors Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) was put in place to reduce the club's debts. Through the club's "Red or Dead" scheme, hundreds of fans pledged at least £500 each to fund the CVA repayments, but the FA Cup proved to be the income boost the Grecians had needed, as City was drawn Manchester United away in the third round of the FA Cup. City drew 0–0 at Old Trafford in January 2005, gaining £653,511 as City's share of receipts from the 67511 attendance. Further income from a televised replay—won 2–0 by United coupled with ongoing fund-raising and unpaid work from the club's supporters helped the club to repay its debts, and the CVA was cleared in December 2005.
2004 also saw the club's centenary. In May 2004 a friendly fixture was arranged against a Brazilian masters team at St James Park, a celebration of City's South American tour of 1914. The Brazilian team, containing such notable players as Careca and Dunga, won 1–0.
City's first team finished the 2006–07 season in fifth place, qualifying for the play-offs. After beating Oxford United on penalties in the semi-final, City met Morecambe at Wembley in the final, where they lost 2–1 despite taking an early lead.
Exeter reached the play-off final in the following season; this time Exeter looked to be heading out of the play-offs after losing the first leg of the semi-final at home to local rivals Torquay United 2–1, but came back to win the second leg 4–1 with 3 goals in the last 20 minutes. In the final Exeter met Cambridge United in front of a Conference play-off record crowd of 42,511, winning 1–0 with a goal from Rob Edwards, earning promotion to League Two.
The club followed its success in the Conference by finishing as runners up to Brentford in League Two. A goal from Richard Logan helped Exeter to win promotion to League One with a 1–0 win away to Rotherham United on the last day of the season.
2009–2010 was Exeter's 45th season in the third tier of English football. They have played more seasons in the third tier than any club who have never reached the top two tiers. They survived their first season at this level for 16 years by one point; an 82nd-minute Ryan Harley goal against Huddersfield Town on the final day of the season saw Exeter overcome the promotion chasers 2–1 and relegated Gillingham in the process.
The club suffered a tragedy on 10 August 2010, days after the start of the 2010–11 season, when striker Adam Stansfield died of cancer aged 31. As a result, their next fixture against Dagenham & Redbridge on 14 August was postponed as a mark of respect. Exeter recovered well, however, and finished 8th in the league that season, one point off a playoff spot.
Following such a strong season, hopes were high for the 2011–12 season, but poor away form (with just two wins away from home all season) saw Exeter relegated to League Two. Relegation was confirmed on 28 April 2012, following a 4–1 defeat away to Carlisle United.
The club remains owned by its fans, through the Exeter City Supporters Trust. During the 2012–2013 season saw Exeter have a marginally successful season, spending the season travelling up and down the top half of the season from 1st place to 10th. Exeter set new club record for away wins in a single season, winning 11 of their 23 fixtures away from home. City had one of the highest away win percentage of the season however disappointing home form lead them to fall into the playoff positions only to see a poor end-of-season run leaving them to fall into 10th position; despite their earlier automatic promotion and then reestimated playoff ambitions. Tisdale claimed that injuries were to blame for City missing out on the play-offs.
At the end of the 2012–13 campaign, poor funds and lack of income lead to an unfortunate squad trim with boss Paul Tisdale having to let go: Jamie Cureton, lead goal scorer of the last campaign netting over 21 goals and the 2010 campaign (with similar statistics); Guillem Bauzà, Kevin Amankwaah, unable to renew his contract despite of his fan- favourite status and great playing abilities heralding fan chants and songs; Mark Molesley, despite being there only half a season; Rhys Evans and later Tully's new contract was withdrawn due to financial constraints. Despite this Tisdale managed to sign Sam Parkin and Doug Bergqvist.
In 2013–2014, Exeter participated in Football League Two and the Football League Cup, but they were eliminated in the First Round of the competition by Queens Park Rangers. In the FA Cup Exeter City were knocked out by Peterborough United in the First Round. In the League 2 season, Exeter finished in 16th.
In pre-season, after a 0–1 friendly loss to Reading, the club went on a short tour in Brazil to commemorate 100 years since they played the Brazil National Football Team. Exeter drew 0–0 against Fluminense under 23's and then beat sides Tupi and a Rio Cricket Club 2–1 and 3–1 respectively. Exeter finished pre-season with 2–0 home losses to Swansea City and Torquay United.
Exeter City's opening matches of 2014–15 were a 1–1 draw against Portsmouth in League Two and then a 0–2 loss against Bournemouth in the Football League Cup. Both matches were played at St James Park. In the 2014–15 FA Cup in the first round, they were beaten 1–0 away to Warrington Town, a club 100 places lower than them at that current point in the season. The game was also broadcast live on BBC Two. The Grecians finished tenth in League Two in 2014–15, their play-off push just falling short in the final few weeks.
City finished in 14th position in 2015–16, a season that included a memorable 2–2 draw against Premier League Liverpool in the FA Cup.
In the 2016–17 season, City started badly, and were bottom of the league by November. However, a turnaround in form saw Exeter finish 5th in the league, and earn a playoff spot. Following a thrilling 3–3 draw in the first leg of the semi-final at Carlisle, the second leg, tied at 2–2, looked destined to go to extra time. But, in the 95th minute, Jack Stacey's long range shot with his weak foot fired Exeter into the final, earning them a spot at Wembley. The final took place on 28 May, and Exeter faced Blackpool. Their hopes for promotion were shattered when they conceded a goal within 3 minutes, and although they equalised, City eventually lost the game 2–1.
On the back of the play-off final defeat Exeter began the 2017–18 season unbeaten after 5 games, notably beating Cheltenham in a 7 goal thriller.
On 1 June 2018, Exeter announced that, after 12 years as manager, Paul Tisdale had decided not to sign a new contract with the club, which announced that Matt Taylor, a former captain and Under 23 team coach, had been appointed manager.
The Manager – Matt Taylor
Marko’s Caption Contest – THE DON CUP
Happy New Year Tractor Boys Forum. All the best for 2020.
Apologies for lack of scores in the Captions. Troubles afar creating issues with the regular scoring. Might need to look at a different way to score these things as this certainly was an unforeseen circumstance. I'll try and get the double picture promised for New Year up at the end of January. In the meantime, hopefully y'all continue chasing Aylesbury although it'll need to be some very good humour to catch him.
Portsmouth scores
Shed on Tour 5pts
AylesburyBlue (cap 1) 4pts
Bluemike & Frosty 3pts
Blueblood 2pts
LEAGUE TABLE
AylesburyBlue 68
DerickIpsw 54
Bluemike 54
Blue Wilf 38
Blueblood 36
Ando 35
Number 9 33
Shed on Tour 25
JohnnyB 21
Tangfastic 19
Quasar 18
Frosty 16
Kerry Blue 11
Watership Down 10
Barmy Billy 8
Todd66 6
Nicscreamer 5
Charnwood 3
IpswichTownNO1 2
AshfordBlue 1
Lucy 1
MasseyFerguson 1
CAPTION PIC
What’s on Lamberts mind?
Match Referee - Josh Smith
EXETER CITY FC 0 IPSWICH TOWN 1