Matt Taylor praised the players and his staff for their efforts during December after picking up the manager of the month award for Sky Bet League Two.
The Grecians won three and drew two of their matches during the month to put themselves firmly in the hunt for the automatic promotion places going into the new year. However, while the accolade went to Matt – the second manager of the month award he has picked up this season – he said all credit must go to the players.
“It is always pleasing because it is a sign of the team doing well,” said Matt. “All credit must go to that group of players and the staff I have got around me, especially over a period where sacrifices have got to be made. Christmas and New Year is a fantastic time, but if you are a footballer it is all about being professional. We picked up a pleasing amount of points for that run.
“It is a sign of how hungry the group are, how desperate they are to do well and a sign of how strong the squad is because we did not play the same team in each of those games. In such a tight period of games in quick succession you can’t keep playing the same players, so it shows the strength in depth we have got.”