Preview Exeter City take on Port Vale this Saturday at ST James’ Park. The Grecians currently sit in 20th place just two points outside of the relegation zone and are searching for their first league win after 11 games without one. The Visitors Port Vale are one place and one point above Gary Caldwell’s side and haven’t won since September, they will be looking to take three points back Staffordshire on Saturday afternoon.
Exeter City’s last victory in all competitions came in the EFL Trophy against Swindon Town in a 0-1 victory thanks to a goal from Suriname international Yanic Wildschut. The Grecians last game in the League was a 0-0 draw against Shrewsbury Town on the 28th of November. Three days before Exeter were on the end of a seven-nil battering at Bolton Wanderers which led to many thinking Gary Caldwell’s time was up as manager of the Devonshire side.
Port Vale’s last win was in the FA Cup first round where they won at League One Burton Albion thanks to goals from Gavin Massey and defender Lewis Cass. The Valiants last two games have both been in separate cup competitions losing 2-0 to Bolton Wanderers in the second round of the EFL Trophy, with Dion Charles and former Morecambe and Fleetwood winger Carlos Mendes Gomes finding the back of the net. Port Vale also drew 1-1 against Stevenage in the FA Cup second round with a replay being arranged for next Tuesday at Vale Park. If Andy Crosby’s side win the second-round replay, they will face National League South side Maidstone away from home
Exeter City Injuries
- Striker Adrimal Muskwe is out with a hamstring injury which he picked up whilst on international duty with Zimbabwe. The former Leicester Academy player has gone back to Luton to get treatment.
- Jack Fitzwater is out with a foot injury. The defender has been out since the 31st October and will need a operation which will take about 6-8 weeks.
- Midfielder Caleb Watts has a hamstring problem and he is training in the gym. The former Australian U23 international should be back in training in the beginning of December.
Exeter manager Gary Caldwell previewed the match
saying: “we’re hoping for a big performance we’re hoping for a lot of energy.”
“We have to show bravery we have to play our way, the way which got us so much success earlier in the season, we have to get back to that and understand how we’re going to score goals.”
“We have to take more risks in the final third the players know that and have worked extremely hard on that and now it’s about us giving them the support and confidence to go and do that on Saturday.”
“No matter who we play, I think at our best we would be a match for anyone in the league.”
“It will be a difficult game, there’s no easy games in League one so we have to be at our very best if we want to win.”