Danny: “Confidence always been there”

And now, following an enthralling 3-2 away win at Accrington where City showed fortitude and resolve, the Grecians go unbeaten in three into the Friday-night fixture with Chesterfield.  And Danny feels the side continue to have faith in their own ability and are positive at their prospects.

“The confidence has always been there with the lads,” said Butterfield.  “It might have taken slight dip on the bad run, but after two good draws and the win away from home – especially with how we played at Accrington, in the way we started and finishing with steel and determination – I think we’re in good stead.”

“It was important to show those attributes of digging in, staying steely and sticking together whilst still creating chances.  That result and performance as a whole has given us the confidence to come back to St James Park and get a result against Chesterfield.  Everyone’s looking forward to the game now, because it’s a chance for us to reel in a team that are above.”

The Accrington victory was preceded by draws away at Wycombe and home to Bury – on both occasions coming from behind – but Butterfield revealed that a home victory is what the team are craving.

Like the supporters, the boys are desperate to take three points on their home patch – and Butterfield is confident that Exeter can show the St James Park faithful their better side and get the result to match.

“We need to keep this unbeaten run going, and we need to get three points at home – that’s something the lads are desperate to put right as soon as possible,” he continued.  “And there’s no better way of doing that than against a team that are above you in the league to close the gap.

“It’s not something that we’ve really spoken about, but we know we owe our fans three points because it will put them in good spirits and keep them coming to the home games.  And with it being such a busy Christmas period, we need the three points.”

He is also hopeful that a Friday-night game under the floodlights will make for a great atmosphere inside St James Park.

“I hope it’s going to be a special one for the fans to come – hopefully after a tough week at work they can come and sing their hearts out on a Friday night,” said Danny.  “It should be a good party atmosphere leading up to the Christmas period. 

“Once we put back-to-back wins together at home, the fans will certainly turn St James Park into a bit of a fortress – and we can only do that by putting in the performances and the results.”