by yellowforever » 31 Jul 2015, 21:54
A good performance from us today.
We started a little slowly, I think perhaps due to the fact Exeter came out of the blocks quickly with some nice passing football and scored after about a minute and a half. I missed part of the goal but it looked like a defensive error as we failed to get the ball away, leaving it to the guy on the edge of the box to slot it away. We grew into the game though, and the work-rate really upped in the second half, with City struggling to deal with it or break us down once we got settled.
Speiss had a good game. Exeter's attack was far more fluid that Argyle's, meaning he was called on a few times and did pretty well I thought. I'd be surprised if he didn't start the season as number 1. We returned to four at the back, with Smith sliding over to right back where I thought he did pretty well. I like the look of Angus and Exodus as our back two. If anything, they are lacking a little in pace, but both are your classic no-nonsense defenders who will be able to deal with all but the best of attacks in this division. Butler is a top find. Good going forward, calm in defence, plenty of pace and a footballing head on his shoulders - really impressed with him so far. Overall then the defence looks fine - I think Cox knows what he's doing in this regard and we'll be tough to beat at the very least.
The midfield too switched in shape. Against Argyle we had both Kellerman and Fenwick behind Young who was pushed behind the striker, but today we started off with Richards and Fenwick in a flat two; perhaps more due to necessity. Given they were playing against some experienced but quality schemers in the middle such as Ryan Harley and Matt Oakley I thought they did well. Both got stuck in a lot, Fenwick especially looks like a really strong signing. He's happy to get involved in the tackle but also passes very well, and sprayed it out wide well for the two wingers. Richards too looked more comfortable and confident than at the end of last season and did alright himself. Shame Kellerman and Young are injured as else I'd be lamenting on how strong our midfield looks, but unfortunately I imagine we'll be looking for someone else to come in and fill the void. Chaney came on in the second half as we moved to a three man midfield, and he assumed the role that Young took last game of playing just in front of the other two. He didn't really have the chance to do anything of note, but ran around a bit and put himself about. Perhaps he'll get a chance before we move to get anyone else in?
On the wings we had the impressive Shephard Murembedzi (who scored the first) and Ryan Brobbel, a Northern Ireland u21 international who spent last year on loan at Hartlepool and had previously played at York. Shephard obviously has a lot of talent and skill, and his confidence shone through taking on his man as much as he could. Delivered the odd decent ball if I remember correctly too, so I'm pretty happy with him. He tried a little too much at times, but as long as he's running players he'll always bring something to the team. The chap on the other wing was good too. He was a right footer playing on the left, so the natural thing to do was for him to cut in and I was worried he was going to be a little too predictable in that regard. However, it was from taking it past the man and standing up a ball at the back post with his wrong foot that our first goal came from, so it looks as though he's got the ability in his locker to mix it up. He was taken off after about an hour and I'd be surprised if that's the last we see of him. Given the fact we're likely looking to whip crosses in I'd rather have a left footer on the left, but regardless I would say this guy is certainly good enough. He took it past his man a couple of times and cut in with some decent passes too. A cut above having Cameron on that wing certainly.
Up front we started with Fairhurst and Briscoe. While they both are no doubt talented players, they both seem very similar in approach. Good with the ball to feet, but don't really have the dynamism, pace or height to really make an impact as a pairing. I could see one partnering another striker, but together it didn't really work. There was the odd nice exchange of passing, but I think we need something else up there. Could Lavelle-Moore be the answer? He came on and scored with his first touch to make the game 2-1, flicking an Exodus throw in past the keeper. It's of course difficult to make decisions on players on the basis of half an hour in a friendly but I must say I thought this guy looked decent. Won a lot in the air (although that wasn't difficult against the two Exeter centre halves) and had a decent touch and pass to other players around him. It's a shame he didn't start this game or come on a bit earlier against Argyle as I'd have liked a better look at him, but he could be the target man we're looking for.
So in summary, pretty good. I thought City looked more dangerous going forward than Argyle, yet will far poorer organised at the back. City will no doubt play better football, but I would put my money on Argyle finishing ahead of them simply because of their strong defence and a reliable goalscorer in Reid. If they tighten up at the back I see no reason City couldn't challenge for the play-offs, but they'll need to improve. A similar finish to last season for them both.
It's a testament then to the job Mr Cox and board have done so far in getting this team to this position, and I think we should approach the coming season with optimism. I think if I had to put my finger on the improvement I've seen from last season it'd be the intensity. We press quickly and we attack more quickly - we look to be a more 'in your face' kind of outfit, and I can see that being more effective.
Keep up the good work sir.
A good performance from us today.
We started a little slowly, I think perhaps due to the fact Exeter came out of the blocks quickly with some nice passing football and scored after about a minute and a half. I missed part of the goal but it looked like a defensive error as we failed to get the ball away, leaving it to the guy on the edge of the box to slot it away. We grew into the game though, and the work-rate really upped in the second half, with City struggling to deal with it or break us down once we got settled.
Speiss had a good game. Exeter's attack was far more fluid that Argyle's, meaning he was called on a few times and did pretty well I thought. I'd be surprised if he didn't start the season as number 1. We returned to four at the back, with Smith sliding over to right back where I thought he did pretty well. I like the look of Angus and Exodus as our back two. If anything, they are lacking a little in pace, but both are your classic no-nonsense defenders who will be able to deal with all but the best of attacks in this division. Butler is a top find. Good going forward, calm in defence, plenty of pace and a footballing head on his shoulders - really impressed with him so far. Overall then the defence looks fine - I think Cox knows what he's doing in this regard and we'll be tough to beat at the very least.
The midfield too switched in shape. Against Argyle we had both Kellerman and Fenwick behind Young who was pushed behind the striker, but today we started off with Richards and Fenwick in a flat two; perhaps more due to necessity. Given they were playing against some experienced but quality schemers in the middle such as Ryan Harley and Matt Oakley I thought they did well. Both got stuck in a lot, Fenwick especially looks like a really strong signing. He's happy to get involved in the tackle but also passes very well, and sprayed it out wide well for the two wingers. Richards too looked more comfortable and confident than at the end of last season and did alright himself. Shame Kellerman and Young are injured as else I'd be lamenting on how strong our midfield looks, but unfortunately I imagine we'll be looking for someone else to come in and fill the void. Chaney came on in the second half as we moved to a three man midfield, and he assumed the role that Young took last game of playing just in front of the other two. He didn't really have the chance to do anything of note, but ran around a bit and put himself about. Perhaps he'll get a chance before we move to get anyone else in?
On the wings we had the impressive Shephard Murembedzi (who scored the first) and Ryan Brobbel, a Northern Ireland u21 international who spent last year on loan at Hartlepool and had previously played at York. Shephard obviously has a lot of talent and skill, and his confidence shone through taking on his man as much as he could. Delivered the odd decent ball if I remember correctly too, so I'm pretty happy with him. He tried a little too much at times, but as long as he's running players he'll always bring something to the team. The chap on the other wing was good too. He was a right footer playing on the left, so the natural thing to do was for him to cut in and I was worried he was going to be a little too predictable in that regard. However, it was from taking it past the man and standing up a ball at the back post with his wrong foot that our first goal came from, so it looks as though he's got the ability in his locker to mix it up. He was taken off after about an hour and I'd be surprised if that's the last we see of him. Given the fact we're likely looking to whip crosses in I'd rather have a left footer on the left, but regardless I would say this guy is certainly good enough. He took it past his man a couple of times and cut in with some decent passes too. A cut above having Cameron on that wing certainly.
Up front we started with Fairhurst and Briscoe. While they both are no doubt talented players, they both seem very similar in approach. Good with the ball to feet, but don't really have the dynamism, pace or height to really make an impact as a pairing. I could see one partnering another striker, but together it didn't really work. There was the odd nice exchange of passing, but I think we need something else up there. Could Lavelle-Moore be the answer? He came on and scored with his first touch to make the game 2-1, flicking an Exodus throw in past the keeper. It's of course difficult to make decisions on players on the basis of half an hour in a friendly but I must say I thought this guy looked decent. Won a lot in the air (although that wasn't difficult against the two Exeter centre halves) and had a decent touch and pass to other players around him. It's a shame he didn't start this game or come on a bit earlier against Argyle as I'd have liked a better look at him, but he could be the target man we're looking for.
So in summary, pretty good. I thought City looked more dangerous going forward than Argyle, yet will far poorer organised at the back. City will no doubt play better football, but I would put my money on Argyle finishing ahead of them simply because of their strong defence and a reliable goalscorer in Reid. If they tighten up at the back I see no reason City couldn't challenge for the play-offs, but they'll need to improve. A similar finish to last season for them both.
It's a testament then to the job Mr Cox and board have done so far in getting this team to this position, and I think we should approach the coming season with optimism. I think if I had to put my finger on the improvement I've seen from last season it'd be the intensity. We press quickly and we attack more quickly - we look to be a more 'in your face' kind of outfit, and I can see that being more effective.
Keep up the good work sir.
