Exeter City wing back Randell Williams says that he is anticipating the chance to play in the Emirates FA Cup, and that his hard work to adapt to his new position is paying off.
City travel to Cambridge United this Saturday, and while the Grecians fell to a 4-0 defeat last month at the Abbey Stadium in Sky Bet League Two, the wing back is looking to bounce back in the cup tie.
In terms of benefiting from the things the side did wrong on the last trip to Cambridge, Randell said: “There’s a lot to learn from that game. I think it’s something that will be good for us to right a wrong, and it will be good for us to go out there and win.
“Hopefully we’ll go through and to get someone big in the next round would be nice.”
Randell has impressed so far this season in the wing back position and said that he’s had to work a lot on altering to the new role, but he’s improved lots since the start of the season and is reaping the rewards for it now.
He said: “Wing back is a new position for me, so it’s something I need to get used to. The gaffer has decided to play me there, I’ve done a lot of work with Wayne Carlisle who has been a great mentor to me, everyday doing extras trying to be the best I can be and it’s paying off slowly.”
Development as a whole has always been a big ethos for the Grecians, and the youngster praised the coaches for helping him to readjust to play wing back.
“It’s been really good here”, said Randell. “Wayne has really taken me under his wings and tried to hammer down on being consistent with deliveries and finishing and it’s slowly paying off.”
In terms of the differences between his more natural winger to wing back position, Randell said that he feels a bigger emphasis to work on defensive side of his game, and that the position is more physically demanding.
The player added: “As a winger you don’t have to do much defending but wing back is a whole different story. At times when you’re dominating the game it’s really nice to get up and down the wing as you’re dominating possession and high up the pitch most of the time, but when the game favours the other team it becomes a much tougher job. The gaffer has me out there, believes I can do it and I just hope I can continue.”
“It’s a lot more demanding, but Pierce Sweeney has been a big part of my progression here. He’s always talking to me, always trying to keep me high because he knows that’s what I’m good at, so long as I have help from behind I’m sure I’ll be alright.”