Exeter City striker Jayden Stockley believes the 5-1 win over Notts County was the best way to bounce back in Sky Bet League Two.
After suffering back-to-back losses in their previous outings, the Grecians turned in a five-star show as Jayden Stockley (2), Pierce Sweeney (2) and Aaron Martin did the damage against Harry Kewell’s side.
On the win, the forward said: “It was the best way (to bounce back,) it was good to bounce back because we were really disappointed to lose at home last week which frustrated us.
“The match against Yeovil Town in midweek really helped us because I played and so did Hiram Boateng, it was an opportunity for us to dust ourselves off and get back into football quickly instead of thinking about the performance last Saturday. It’s so pleasing, Matt (Taylor) is chuffed with us, we’re delighted and will enjoy the weekend now.”
The forward was instrumental in the match as he helped himself to two goals and put in a stellar performance up top, proving a real handful for the County defenders.
On finding the net, Jayden said: “It was nice to get a couple of goals, two of which were on a plate. Hiram smashed it across to me, I didn’t even see the ball, and then the other goal, Nicky put it on a plate for me.
“It’s great to have players like that, we have such flair in the team, even with Lee Martin coming on towards the end and he wanted to grab a goal.
“It was an enjoyable game to play, all based on hard work. The lads wanted to press, wanted to win, and play entertaining football and that’s what I think we’ve done.”
Jayden continued to pressure the County central defenders from start to finish, as did the rest of the side as they looked to force any defensive errors possible, and that’s something Jayden has revealed that new manager Matt Taylor is keen to implement on a regular basis.
“He (Matt) wants me to put it in more, and I feel that when I’m more proactive I’m more involved in the game. I don’t want to be labelled as just a target man, I want to be an all-round centre forward.
“The boys demand that up to the top of the pitch, especially when you’re playing one up top you need a bit of everything. You need a focal point to hold the ball up and you also need legs, so with Jonathan Forte out injured and Matt choosing to go one up top today it’s so essential that the striker holds the ball up and offers a press.”
Though City will enjoy the win, Jayden also warned that the Grecians will have to be in the right mindset if they are to head to Mansfield Town next weekend and bring home a positive result.
He continued: “As soon as you lose a game like we did last week you’re in a bad mood, that’s why I was glad to play on Tuesday. It will be nice to have a few days off then we’ll look to Mansfield next week, which is a hard place to go so we have to be professional. We’ve been good on the road so far so it’s another chance to go and put a marker down.
“We want to be at the top end of the table, we don’t want too many days where we are sat in mid-table because that’s not us, we have quality in the team to go again.”
The centre forward also praised the City fans for their part in the win, and Jayden is hoping to hear more of the same noise in the future.
“They were brilliant from the start,” said Jayden. “They make such a difference because you feed off them. When they’re willing you in every tackle it’s nice and it was great to get a good start, which is up to us to put out the intent, so the crowd can then feed off us and know that we’re on it. It’s our job to create the atmosphere and the fans followed suit.”