Defender hoping that City can keep fulfilling potential
Ahead of a trip to Tranmere Rovers, Grecians defender Danny Butterfield is hopeful that Exeter City can build on their first victory of the season – which came in a fantastic midweek tie away at Cambridge United.The Abbey Stadium visit saw City turn in their finest performance of the season, demonstrating what Exeter’s benchmark can be when they fulfil their potential.
The forthcoming Prenton Park visit has an extra narrative, as it pits former Grecians assistant Rob Edwards against his former manager Paul Tisdale.
But Danny believes that as long as the Grecians put in a performance along the same lines as Tuesday’s showing, they will be able to earn victory.
“The fact that we are so many games into the season with just that one win does show that we can’t get carried away,” explained Danny.
“We need to maintain the standards that we set on Tuesday night as a squad and carry that into Saturday’s game at Tranmere, with the added spice of facing Rob Edwards.
“Rob did a fantastic job here and the lads really took to him during his time here, and he has moved to pastures new and we all wish him well.
“But on Saturday it’s certainly not a game where we’re travelling up to wish him all the best. We’re certainly going there to get the three points and kick on from what we started on Tuesday night.
“Rob knows how Tis works and knows one or two of the players’ strengths and weaknesses. But once you cross that white line you can’t physically control each individual player.
“It’s how each player performs on the day, and if we play to the standards that we did on Tuesday night then we’ll certainly come away from Prenton Park with a positive result.
“We’re going to take the confidence from Tuesday night up to Tranmere and we hope to replicate that performance and that’s good enough to give us three points.”
He also explained that the win at Cambridge – and the manner in which it came – left the team in a jovial mood.
Manager Paul Tisdale had described the performance as ‘the full package’, and Danny agreed that it was the combination of quality and effort that had pleased him most.
“There was a buoyant mood on the coach after the game, and rightly so because we played really well and thoroughly deserved the three points,” Danny said.
“It was a late arrival back home, but one that was softened by the three points we brought back with us.
“Our front three put their defence under a lot of pressure when they were in possession of the ball. It wasn’t only that they were trying to create things – the workrate was massive all over the pitch.
“That spread to the midfield in support and the defence was comfortable all night.”