Exeter City FC

Exeter City manager Matt Taylor said they will be looking to get last weekend’s defeat to Forest Green Rovers out of their system when they travel to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

The Grecians lost their first match in 11 games in all competition at home to Rovers when goals from Reece Brown and Liam Shephard gave Mark Cooper’s side a 2-1 victory at St James Park.

However, having picked up a few injuries, as well as travelled to Grimsby Town and Crawley in the seven days leading up to the match, City were not at their best for a number of reasons. However, Tranmere beat Crawley Town 5-1 at home last time out to move into the play-off places and Matt knows City will have to be on top of their game this Saturday to get three points.

“They (Tranmere) have had a pretty solid start,” said Matt. “They are new into the league in terms of their promotion last season, but a big club in terms of lower league football traditionally. 

“They are on the back of a fantastic result last weekend beating Crawley, who we found out were a good team from the previous Tuesday night, so it shows where they are at in terms of their preparation. They will be full of confidence going into this weekend. 

“However, we have got to get last weekend out of our system and go to Tranmere fit, raring to go and looking to put in a performance and if we do that, like I have said all along, we will give ourselves a chance.”

Tranmere also have Matt Taylor’s former housemate James Norwood in their ranks. He is currently League Two’s top scorer, but City striker Jayden Stockley is not too far behind. 

“We know James Norwood well,” said Matt. “He was my housemate for a period when I was at Exeter as a player. He is a really good character. He is misjudged sometimes in terms of his personality. He is a really nice lad and it is great to see him doing well, but just hopefully not this weekend. In terms of Jayden (Stockley), he is what he is. He has been reliable for us all season and I expect much of the same on Saturday.”