Matt Taylor admitted that he has been given a few selection headaches ahead of Saturday’s game with Forest Green Rovers following an impressive performance in midweek.
The Grecians won 2-0 away at Newport County AFC on Tuesday night in the Leasing.com Trophy, with Matt Jay scoring two goals.
Matt Taylor has named an unchanged side for the last three Sky Bet League Two games but he says some of the players who came into the team on Tuesday – as part of 10 changes to the starting XI that night – have put their names forward for selection.
“Matt Jay’s finishes were two finishes of real quality, both with his weaker foot, but he has got that in his game,” said Matt Taylor.
“He has done it time and time again for us now. I have got to select a team that I think will go out and win the game on Saturday. That is what we try and do in terms of every opposition we face. We try and go into it positive and try and win the game and certainly some of those players who played on Tuesday night have put themselves forward.”
One player who is expected to make his first start in Sky Bet League Two for City is goalkeeper Jonny Maxted. Signed from Accrington in the summer, Jonny made three top class saves at Rodney Parade and following the injury to Lewis Ward, who broke his arm in the closing stages of the last league match, he has now got an opportunity for an extended run in the first team.
Speaking about his performance at Newport, Matt said: “He is a good goalkeeper and good goalkeepers generally play well.
“He was supported by a good defensive display in front of him on Tuesday night. It was on the back of Lewis (Ward) breaking his arm and Jonny is going to get his opportunity now. I will be bringing in another goalkeeper. If that is before this weekend, it is before this weekend. If not then it will certainly be done next week.”
One of the criticisms Matt had of the team in their last league match – a 1-1 draw away at Crewe Alexandra – is that they didn’t take their chances when they were on top of the match. Playing against a Forest Green side this Saturday, who have only let in six goals so far this campaign, Matt added that it is important the players learn from that going into the weekend.
“It will be down to the players to create opportunities and to capitalise on those chances,” said Matt. “They (Forest Green) are a good team defensively, but we are not bad ourselves. I don’t think it will be a stalemate as such, I think there will be chances in the game. The key will be taking those chances when they come.
“It is another good game for us to look forward to, obviously being back at the Park is an added bonus and when you are challenging at the top of the table you want these fixtures to keep on coming. We want to keep on picking up points in these games as well. It is another test, but a different sort to Crewe last week, but one we have got to look forward to.”