Praise for 'terrific' players from Tis
Manager Paul Tisdale labelled the Exeter City players as ‘terrific’ as they earned a point at home to Grimsby Town.
The Grecians were much the better side on Saturday, hitting the bar once and forcing the Grimsby defence to clear two efforts off their line.
However, it was the defensive effort of the team that impressed Tis the most.
“We got a draw,” he said. “There’s possibly been two or three games this season that we’ve lost that I’d like to have had what we had today - just to build some kind of resilience and momentum.
“We did everything but score, you certainly couldn’t say we played for a draw. The back four stayed as a unit but the rest of the team got forward and attacked. It was a very positive line up – as positive as I could possibly think of – and those front players did tire but they put a real shift in.”
Following last week’s galling loss at Wycombe – when a late deflected shot from Adebayo Akinfenwa sent The Grecians crashing to defeat – Tis said the players have been working hard on putting things right.
“It’s been a really good week, from five to five last week at Wycombe the players have had a lot of input and ownership in what they’ve done this week,” he said.
“They’ve continued that all the way through to 3pm today and have given absolutely everything. Possibly with some more points under our belt and some more composure we’d have put that ball in the back of the net, but that’s what happens when you’re so desperate to score. I thought the players were terrific.
“I thought Robbie Simpson typified the effort to get everywhere, he challenged for everything. Reuben’s (Reid) come off frustrated that he hasn’t put the ball in the net, as have Robbie and David (Wheeler), but that’s what we want.
“Overall I was very pleased with how it went other than the fact we didn't get the win. But they defended very well and hung on, and we’ve just got to move onto next week. We have to play more like this at home. The back four need to think about their jobs first and foremost, to keep the ball out of the back of the net and let the forwards get on with it, and that’s what we did today.”
Tis also praised the fans that have stuck by and supporters the team. More than 3,500 supporters turned up for the match at St James Park to cheer the boys on.
“I’d like to talk about the fans that have supported us, and there were many today offering support and I think that’s really important,” he said.
“The players have discussed it this week – they want to give back to those who support them. It’s a small ground, you can hear every word, and it’d be nice to identify those who are supporting the team.
“The players would like to say thank you to those who are behind them. It was a good crowd today and you can hear the noise, but well done to those who got behind us.
“We’ve probably had as many letters and emails coming into the club from fans wishing support than those on the negative side, so well done them and that shows a lot about the club.”