Midfielder on settling with the Grecians
Following his first two games in Exeter City colours, Manny Oyeleke was pleased with the early stages of his Grecians career.The former Brentford midfielder played half an hour off the bench against East Fife and an hour from the beginning against Arbroath, as Exeter’s preparations for the new year begin to pick up pace.
Oyeleke feels that the games programme has helped him to learn a bit more about the playing style of the team and his fellow teammates.
But he also felt that the trip to Scotland has had other benefits, in that it has allowed him to socialise with his new squadmates for a prolonged period for the first time.
“That’s the best way to get to know your teammates – to get to know how they play and operate, and just get on the pitch against 11 men and see how you cope with it,” he said.
“I think I’ve done alright so far and the team have helped me out with it – I was in the midfield with Matt Oakley today, and he’s got a wealth of experience and talked me through the game and was helping me wherever he could.
“I feel like I’ve integrated well so far and I hope that can continue. It’s surprising how welcoming the boys here are – literally everybody is cool. Some people have taken time to get to know me and ask me questions.
“I have been taking time to chill with the lads, show them my FIFA skills – I think they know that I’m the FIFA king! I’ve got the belt, so it has been good to stamp my authority on that!”
City were on the wrong end a 1-0 scoreline at Gayfield Park, thanks to Kane Hester’s sole goal late on.
But Manny wasn’t too perturbed by a negative result and is more concerned with keeping fitness finely tuned.
“It was unfortunate about the result, but in pre-season and in the first two games especially I guess it isn’t realty about the result, said Oyeleke.
“It’s just about getting minutes on the pitch – luckily no-one has been injured and everyone is feeling all right. So everyone is buzzing for the future.”
He was also in praise of the travelling support that had come to get behind the club on the trip north of the border.
“In both games it surprised me how many fans were about because Exeter is very far,” he continued. “They might have taken time off work or whatnot to get here.
“So thanks to all the fans that came, and for all the fans that couldn’t make it, see you back in Exeter – hopefully it’ll be a good season for all of us.”
Watch Manny’s full extended interview on Grecian PlayerHD below.