Tis facing selection dilemmas ahead of Emirates FA Cup tie
Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale admits he has selection dilemmas going into this Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup match with Luton Town.
Troy Archibald-Henville is available for selection again having missed the missed the whole of the season so far, while players like Joel Grant are adding to competition for places by impressing in training and matches.
“We are getting a squad of players who are coming back to fitness,” said Tis. “It is the first time this season where I have got a squad in front of me where I have got selection dilemmas. That is great and hopefully that bodes well over the next month or two.
“We have got players who are coming into form which means they are pushing for selection and then you have got the likes of Troy Archibald-Henville who has come through training and practice matches and is now up for selection.
“All in all, there looks to be quite a strong unit there. Again we have got strength in depth for the first time this season and I would like to keep it that way over the next month or two. It is not just a case of picking an XI it is who to leave out because we have got so many players who are ready and able and confident in their game.”
Asked what strengths Troy Arhcibald-Henville brings to the side, Tis added: “He is a fabulous footballer who is a strong defender also. There has been no hiding the fact that we have been short in the defensive part of our game. Troy comes back to us and an adds strength to us. He is all round a very excellent defender and a footballer to boot.”
Exeter got to the third round of the Emirates FA Cup last season when they drew Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at home and held the seven-time winners of the competition to a 2-2 draw at St James Park.
So will that be fresh in the team’s memory going into Saturday’s tie.
“You can’t help but look back to last year and how much we enjoyed it. It was a terrific experience over a couple of months,” said Tis. “It has happened every year and I am sure it won’t happen every year going forward, but when it comes around you really make the most of it and we had four fabulous matches.
“We recall those moments. We are certainly not assuming we are going to get the same again, you have to earn it in the FA Cup. You are not given anything and we know that from previous years.
“We know the opportunity. We know what’s possible with the FA Cup, but we have to take it one game at a time. No draw is a good draw until it has been concluded and you can say ‘yes that was a good draw because we have won it’. And we are playing against a Luton team who I’m sure want to win the match just as much as we do.”