Will Dean says he and the rest of the under-23 squad are looking forward to playing in front of a good-sized crowd on Thursday night in the Premier League Cup.
The Grecians under-23 squad take on Aston Villa at 7pm on Thursday in the opening game of group D, which also contains Doncaster and Portsmouth. City missed out on qualifying from their group last season by just a point and Will is keen to go one better this time around.
“We started slow last year and then we picked up a few good points, away at Leicester and then to them at home, and we were unlucky not to win that game to be fair,” he said.
“However, we finished really strong last year and we are looking to take that momentum into this year.
“In front of the fans on Thursday we are going to look to start as quick as possible and try and get the three points.”
Playing in front of the supporters at St James Park is one of the main attractions of this competition and helps the young players develop ready for when they get the opportunity to play first team football in League Two.
Will says he is looking forward to the chance to play in front of a good crowd on Thursday night and show them and manager Matt Taylor what he can do.
“I am really looking forward to playing,” he said. “I think these games are good to show what you can do and it is good to play in front of the fans. Last year we missed out by a point a think it was and this year I think we have got a good enough group to qualify and give it a good go really.
“It is good to test ourselves against the best 23s groups around the country. It is a lot different to what you get out on loan. It is a different type of game and a lot more on the floor but it is good opportunity to show our manager, and everybody watching, the work we have been doing.
“The support is massive and the more people we can get to the game, the more it is going to spur us on.”