Exeter City manager Matt Taylor says he is looking forward to Saturday’s match with Lincoln City which he expects to be ‘a high-standard game from two groups of really good players at this level’.
The Grecians last hosted Lincoln City at St James Park in last season’s League Two play-off semi-final and both teams have got off to a good start this campaign with the Imps topping the table after five matches and City sitting in third.
Therefore, it can easily be argued to be the fixture of the day in League Two on Saturday.
“We are certainly going to be up for Saturday,” said Matt. “Everyone is looking forward to it and it is a proper game of football to look forward to.
"I see it being a physical, high-tempo game and a high-standard game from two groups of really good players at this level.”
Matt also said that last season’s play-off games, which saw the Grecians triumph 3-1 on aggregate, will have little baring on this fixture.
“It will be a totally different game,” he said. “They have got different playing personnel, we have got different players and different staff.
“It is irrelevant, really, what happened last season. Not many people have spoken too much about the play-offs because it was a disappointing time for us with the way it ended.
“So, it is very much a fresh start from everyone and I am sure it is the same for Lincoln. I am sure their manager is saying the same thing to their players. He has invested well in a good group of players, he really has. So, it will be a tough test for us but we are ready for that test.”
Lincoln are praised for their physicality in League Two, with Matt Rhead, Matt Green and John Akinde particularly strong up front. However, asked if there was more to Lincoln than just being a physical, strong outfit, Matt said: “Yes, of course there is.
“He (Danny Cowley) has signed good players, plain and simple and we are not soft ourselves.
“We have got some big characters, some big personalities and we are physically tough enough. I still want us to be tougher every now and then.
“That is part of League Two football week in, week out, regardless of who we are playing. Physically is part of League Two football and we are not shy of that fact. I am just looking forward to the game. I think it is going to be a really good match.”
City go into the game with injuries to Jonathan Forte (hamstring) and Troy Brown (back). However, Matt admits Troy could still make it for Saturday.
“Troy Brown took part in a little bit of training today (Thursday),” he said. “We will have to see how he reacts to that; see how he is tomorrow. Hopefully he can train again and hopefully he will be available for the game. Time will tell on that one. We will know in the next 24/48 hours.
“Jono (Jonathan Forte) has started to train but this weekend has come to soon for him on the back of that hamstring injury. So, we don’t want to think he’ll be available. We will find out about Troy closer to the time.”
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