Paul looking forward to a battle with Burton on Saturday
Going into Saturday’s fixture away at Burton Albion, Exeter manager Paul Tisdale is looking forward to pitting his wits against Gary Rowett as the two sides are aiming to continue their respective promotion charges.
The Brewers have been something of a surprise package this season – and having won their last half-dozen fixtures at the Pirelli Stadium, are on fearsome form at home. However with City having won six of their last seven from away trips, there is a feeling that something has to give in the Midlands.
“[Burton] are certainly doing very well,” said Tis. “I don’t think you’d have had too many people predicting they’d be in the top three or four come February – but they clearly deserve it, because they’ve won the points to warrant that position.
“They may be a surprise to one or two – but having said that, they’ve performed consistently well over the last few months and so far they’ve built a very productive season.
“If you look at the form guide, they’ve won their last six at home, and we’ve won plenty away, so it’ll be a very good game – but only one of us can win.”
Into the final third of the season, injury concerns are always likely to have an impact. Tis confirmed that three players are still missing with longer term injuries, and another three – including Artur Krysiak, who will be given every chance to prove his fitness after needing to be replaced against Accrington – could well be in contention.
“Alan Gow is still missing, Liam Sercombe too of course, and Myles Anderson is still injured,” explained Tis. “But Matt Oakley and John O’Flynn have a chance of being fit for Saturday.
“[Artur] will be there – we’ll be leaving it until the last minute to give him as much time as possible to recover in time. I think he wants to go back there and play – he’s played there before in the past, and it’s a club he knows very well so he’ll be keen to go back and play. But we have to make sure we make a sensible decision on Friday.”