Exeter City defender Jordan Dyer says he and his teammates will go into tonight’s Premier League Under-23 Cup match with Newcastle full of confidence despite facing a side who were runners up in the competition last season.
The Grecians are so far undefeated in this competition having topped their group with victories over Aston Villa, Doncaster Rovers and Portsmouth. However, in Newcastle they face a Premier League academy side and team that got all the way to the final of this competition last season.
“They will be a really tough side of course,” said Jordan, who scored the third goal in City’s win against Aston Villa in this competition.
“However, we are confident. We finished top of the group and we are looking forward to it, playing against another Premier League side. We are buzzing for it and we are ready to go.”
Asked how much confidence he and the team will take from their group performances, Jordan added: “A lot. We have shown how we can play on different pitches. How we had to play against Villa on the floor and Doncaster with a different approach, where we had to come from behind to get a point which was good.”
Jordan, who is on loan at Tiverton Town this season, also added that he has enjoyed playing in the competition as it helps his development.
“Going out on loan is obviously good because you are playing men’s football, but when you get to play with the players you train with every day you get to know how to get the best out of each other.” he said. “You can then play your best in front of a crowd then as well which is really good.
“It has helped massively. It is obviously not as many as a first team fixture, but it helps. It is the same situation because you are playing in front of people and you are playing with teammates you train with every day.”