Exeter City manager Matt Taylor praised the fans for the atmosphere they created during Tuesday’s nights Carabao Cup win over Ipswich Town and has called for more of the same this Saturday.
The Grecians knocked out Ipswich 4-2 on penalties in front of a crowd of 3,675. That was almost a 1,000 up on last year’s attendance at St James Park at the same stage of the competition and the noise inside the stadium spurred the players on.
City face Newport County AFC at home next and Matt Taylor is hoping the fans will be in full voice once more.
“Yes, we want more of the same,” said Matt. “They really got behind us (against Ipswich) first half and second especially. There was a shift in momentum in the game and in the feeling and the atmosphere around the ground as well.
“The fans have been excellent. They really have. From the word go of me coming into the club, throughout this season and last season as well, and we will need them more than ever. They keep clocking up these miles with these long away trips as well so, home and away, and as long as they keep giving us everything they have got we will do exactly the same.”
The Grecians have had a very positive start to the season, picking up a win against Carlisle United and Morecambe to add to the Carabao Cup win against Ipswich. Therefore, the mood in the camp is buoyant but Matt is confident the players won’t be getting ahead of themselves any time soon.
“We certainly won’t be over-confident,” said Matt. “I don’t think many people in football get over-confident on the back of two league wins.
“Yes, we are playing well and we are picking up points, which is the main thing but we know how tough Saturday is going to be.
“Newport are a good, strong team and they are on the back of two excellent victories as well.
“We are under no illusions how difficult the weekend is going to be. They will be in our face, they will be physical and they are a good team as well.
“He (Mike Flynn) has signed some good players. I know the manager pretty well.
“They have got good players in their group as have we and I expect it to be a real battle Saturday and hopefully we can come out on top, but we are going into every game with the same mindset to try and win the game.
“I have got some tired bodies that we have worked with today. Some did part training, some did part recovery. I have just got to hopefully have a fully fit squad going into the weekend.”
The Grecians also have two games a week for the next three weeks as they get involved in midweek League Two, Carabao Cup and Checkatrade.com Trophy fixtures. Therefore, will it be a time in the season where Matt has to use his squad?
“Yes, definitely,” he said. “You saw that on Tuesday. I made four changes on Tuesday, plus the three substitutions.
“So, in theory, we were not at our strongest on Tuesday night but we played pretty well against Ipswich – a championship team. The whole group, the 21 players I have got at my disposal, are all ready to play League Two football. That is the main thing.
“I have got to keep them ready, keep them happy – as best I can – and keep them motivated. We know how tough the next three weeks are going to be, but that is part and parcel of football. We have got to expect that throughout the season and, if we are going to be successful, we are going to have more games.”