Thoughts on Exeter

[Guest OneRogerWylde]

Just got home after staying down overnight after the match (not the best place for a night out yesterday). Thiugh I'd offer a few thoughts on the team.

Weaver - OK couldnt really be faulted for the goals, tried his best to get them going!

Spurr - Good going forward but crosses and final ball let him down.

Beavers - Tried hard but poor communication with Purse cost us the third goal

Purse - Lacked authority, didnt lead the team and made errors for at least two of the goals. Generally caught out by Exeters small forwards who played the ball on the ground and ran about a bit (sneaky eh).

Jones - tried hard but lost on the right. Only has a left foot so Exeter showed him the outside and he struggled evry time.

Sedgewick - disappointing generally

Miller - Probably our best midfielder - not saying much though.

Potter - Not his best match, saw a fair bit of the ball often losing it too easily, no real penetration in his passing

Teale - Ran himself into the pitch, looked pacy, lacked support.

Johnson - A few good runs but usually starting from too deep, our best player (again not saying much)

Morrison - Tried hard and put in a shift up front.

Match certainly not good (or enjoyable), the better team won. No lack of fight or determination, couldn't say the same for skill or organisation.

Marginally second best in first half we all thought we would step it up in the second. Their second goal was a super strike the third was a howler (Purse/Beevers) after that we chased the game. Its worth noting that even though we were hit on the break for the next two we didn't seem to be outnumbered just out manouvered.

The biggest problem is the midfield - the defence isn't good but I lost count of the number of tines we made blocks and half tackles and the ball went straight to an Exeter player. It seemed like every loose ball was picked up by a guy in a red shirt - its not just unlucky when it happens all the time.

Sorry AL but I reckon we need a quality midfielder who will pick up the bits and pieces and offer some protection for the defence and an experienced defender who will stand up and be counted, make him captain and get him to put some organisation into the team on the field.

Bringing Buxton and O'Conner in would be a start. What's Nicky Butt doing these days?