Matt Taylor is expecting a good atmosphere at St James Park on Saturday as the Grecians host Swindon Town in their third Sky Bet League Two fixture of the season.
Both sides go into the match on the back of two victories in the league so far, and with it being a shorter distance for the away fans to travel, a bumper away crowd is expected.
However, Matt – whose team have been well supported at St James Park during his time in charge – is confident that the Grecians will back his team well and has urged his players to give something for the home fans to cheer about.
“I think Swindon will travel well in terms of their away following and it will make for a good atmosphere,” he said.
“Their fans will play their part but our home fans will out-number them in force and, hopefully, out-sing them as well.
“We have got to give them something to sing about. I have said this time and time again about the Park, but you feed off each other’s energy.
“I didn’t feel we had that in both respects at the start of the Macclesfield game, but it is something we have got to look to improve on and hopefully the people in the stands can get behind the team.
“It is certainly not going to be easy, this weekend, or for the rest of the season, but there is a group of players trying their hardest out there. So we are expecting a good atmosphere and that will definitely play a part but we have got to make sure our fans and our team play the biggest part.”
Matt praised the efforts of City’s travelling supporters, who travel further than supporters from the majority of other EFL clubs. However, he also said the home fans bring that same enthusiasm and that could be key to their success this season.
“You want your home form to be strong and you need your away form to be strong as well. We get followed really well around the country and it is large distances and the commitment that our fans make are second to none. Our home fans have the same passion and the same energy – in all aspects - and they appreciate good defending and good endeavor from players who are trying their hardest.”
Randell Willliams, who missed Tuesday night’s defeat to Coventry in the Carabao Cup with a dead leg, will face a fitness test ahead of Saturday’s match. Tom Parkes will miss the game as he is suspended, but Matt added that he does have options at centre-half
“We are obviously disappointed that Tom is suspended,” he said. “He played really well at Stevenage and he has been part of a team that has kept a couple of clean sheets, but there is not much we can do about that it has been and gone now. However, we have got to make sure that we are right for the next two games when he is not available and take care of that. There are a number of players I can put into that position. Some of those players you mentioned got valuable game-time on Tuesday and will be better for it. Whatever team I select they have got to go out and do a certain job and try and win the game."