Colesy pleased with City performances
Club captain Danny Coles remains upbeat ahead of this weekend’s clash against Southend United, with encouraging performances in recent weeks leaving a strong sense in the Grecians’ camp that the results will soon come.
Coles, who has previously played under Southend United manager Phil Brown during his stint at Hull City, is outwardly confident that these are key factors that will kick-start a ruthless streak for City, helping them to convert heartening recent form into a flurry of tangible results.
“I think we look comfortable as a team, it is just a case of getting that first goal,” Danny explained.
“Once we start getting that first goal, teams will have to start opening up and we will be able to start picking off teams as a result. We’re pleased with what we’re doing; we’ve just got to start putting the ball in the back of the net.”
For the City captain, the return from injury of experienced right-back Danny Butterfield to the defensive ranks has served as a significant boost to the players’ spirits. His return has come in conjunction with the increasing presence of young rookie Matt Grimes, for whom Danny reserves considerable praise.
“Grimes is a class player, there’s no two ways about it,” he continued. “If he keeps his feet on the ground and keeps listening to the staff and to the boys, he’s got a fantastic future ahead of him.
“It’s very good to see the young players come through and be able to jump in straightaway.”
Danny accredited City manager Paul Tisdale to this successful integration of youngsters such as Grimes and Jordan Moore-Taylor into the first XI setup, a key component in the side’s evident versatility.
The captain continued to stress this particular asset, commending his manager’s inherent capacity to develop flexibility at both player and squad-level.
“Tis doesn’t just work on just the first XI, he keeps everybody involved and fresh and knowing that as and when they progress into the first team they have no excuses to not know what they’re doing,” continued Danny.
“He works on the change of the shape and what we’re going to do at certain times of the game if we’re chasing the game or if we’re in front. The players adapt to it well because we work on it so much in training.”