Exeter City manager Matt Taylor is expecting a tough match when the Grecians travel to the Globe Arena on Saturday.
Morecambe were beaten 6-0 on the opening day of the season away at Crewe Alexandra but, having watched the game, Matt said that match was not a true reflection of the play and they are well aware of the threat Jim Bentley’s side pose on their own turf.
“We know Morecambe away is a really tough fixture,” said Matt. “We went to Morecambe last season when we needed the points, badly, and we didn’t perform well after going 1-0 up in the game.
“It is a difficult place to go and they will be right at us from the word go. Their manager is a really good manager. An experienced manager at this level and he will have them fired up that is for sure.”
Speaking about Morecambe’s performance against Crewe, Matt added: “I have watched the game, and the players have all watched it, and it certainly wasn’t a 6-0 game. They were very much in the game for long periods.”
In contrast, City’s performance last Saturday was matched by the result as they recorded a 3-1 win over Carlisle United. Asked what the mood was like in the camp following that result, Matt said: “It has been good. I think (the win) it just settles everyone down. It is important to get off to a good start.
“They are a good honest group. They have worked hard this week as they have the last four or five weeks. We go into tomorrow with a long journey ahead of us and, hopefully, a fully fit squad for the weekend.”
City have also boosted their ranks this week with the signing of Dara O’Shea on a six-month loan deal from West Brom. Matt said he will boost competition for places in defence.
“He is honest, tough and a good character,” he said. “I watched him last week and we spoke to the staff at West Brom and the staff at Hereford, where he was on loan last season, and he is just another dimension in terms of our defensive ranks. The starting XI from Saturday did pretty well but I need good players to back them up and come on and improve us and Dara is going to do that.”