Next Up: Exeter City vs Birmingham City

City slumped to another defeat against a side fighting at the top – the manner of the defeat perhaps the most disappointing aspect as, like in the defeats to Wrexham and Birmingham, City failed to make any headway in the attacking half, with no shots on target registered. A brutal schedule continues on Tuesday night albeit in the EFL Trophy, with a second visit in the space of a couple of weeks of the biggest spenders in the history of the third tier. Gary Caldwell was able to welcome Reece Cole and Demetri Mitchell to the bench at Stockport, and both may be hoping for starts as Caldwell shuffles his pack for this fixture. While City have eyed up glory in this competition, it also presents opportunities for players on the fringes to make a case for more regular action, so a number of changes will be expected.

Like City, Birmingham appear to be taking the EFL Trophy seriously, with a number of their stars having featured in the competition. Following a penalties loss to Walsall in their first group game, Chris Davies’ side has thumped Shrewsbury 4-0 and Fulham’s youngsters 7-1, Jay Stansfield scoring twice against his most recent former club. Stansfield enjoyed a scoring return to his boyhood club a couple of weeks ago, netting a late penalty to confirm a 2-0 win that was more one-sided than the narrow scoreline suggested. Birmingham have since won their next three matches – beating Blackpool in the cup before clinching league wins over Stockport and Barnsley – coincidentally City’s last and next league opponents.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Sam Mulhall
Assistant Referees: Ravel Cheosiaua and Kevin Howick
Fourth Official : Daniel Flynn

Sam Mulhall from Cheshire is a National League referee who this season has taken charge of a few EFL Trophy games. It will be his first time taking charge of an Exeter City or a Birmingham City game.

Kevin Nicholson’s thoughts on the game

Jack Fitzwater’s thoughts on the game