Coles: “Away win around the corner”

Exeter have won all three games at home, but have only picked up two points from three away fixtures in Sky Bet League 2 this season.

The elusive away win has been a whisker away, however, as they had chances to find winners in their draws against Mansfield and Dagenham and had been the better of the two teams going into the second half at Morecambe.

And with the Grecians proving a match for all their opponents this season, Coles is confident that City can travel back down the motorway with three points in the bag for the first time in the 2013/14 campaign when they visit Northampton Town at Sixfields on Saturday.

“I think the second half against Dagenham was a better performance than the first,” said Danny.  “We were always comfortable in the second half and I think there were a few opportunities for us to take.  To come away with a point isn’t the worst thing in the world.

“But hopefully the first away win is just around the corner and we can go to Northampton and get that.  We’re working hard to make sure we can get the three points, and we’re looking forward to it.”

The Cobblers have had a reputation in the last few years of being physical and combative, and the Bristol-born man wants his team to stand up physically and stick to the footballing principles which have brought success so far this term.

Coles continued: “It’s going to be a tough game as they can be quite direct with Clive Platt and Roy O’Donovan up front.  So it’s something we will look to try and combat, and we’ll be trying to play a bit of ball when we get hold of it.

“They’ve got a decent squad there with a very good manager, so I’m sure they’ll want to make sure they get a home win on Saturday.  It’ll be a tough game but one we’re capable of winning.”

He also reserved praise for the back-four that have been patched together in the absence of a career-hardened right-back.  Scot Bennett has dropped into a centre-half position with Pat Baldwin filling the right-back berth in recent weeks, and Danny was complimentary of the players for slotting in seamlessly – as well Craig Woodman, who is continually growing his relationship with Coles on the left-hand side of defence.

“We’re getting some consistency with Scot coming into the back four during the last couple of games – it’s working well,” said Coles.  “I worked with Woody all of last season so we’ve improved again, and Pat is doing an admirable job at right-back.  Everyone in the back four knows each other’s game which always helps as well.

“Scotty’s been a consistent player for the team for the past two years, whatever position you put him in.  He’s been outstanding in midfield – he’s a player you don’t appreciate as much until you actually play with him.  He’s a fantastic player and to be able to adapt to the amount of positions that he has played speaks volumes of the lad.

“I’ve played a whole season at right-back before so I know exactly what it’s like to be playing there – it is hard, because there is emphasis on you to get forward as well.  Pat’s a fit lad and he’s certainly got the energy to get up and down.”



Click hereto see the full pre-match interview with Danny Coles on Grecian Player.