Next Up: Exeter City vs Leyton Orient
A mad fifteen minutes prior to half time against Blackpool exposed City’s current defensive frailties, added to by the injury to Jack Fitzwater that meant for a time City had no recognised defenders on the pitch before a tactical shift at half time saw Gary Caldwell introduce Cheick Diabate. City won the second half and could have forced a grandstand finish but for the referee deciding that rugby tackling players in the box didn’t count as a foul. Assuming Fitzwater, Sweeney and Yfeko are all out on Tuesday night, Diabate should earn a start after a strong showing against Blackpool, with Ed James and Ben Purrington potentially also in the frame as Caldwell tries to complete further signings. New Brentford loanee Tony Yogane made an impression off the bench and may start, while Pat Jones got his first start for City at the weekend as he continues to integrate following his lengthy injury.
When City played at Brisbane Road at the start of October, the Os were struggling in the table although aside from the final third of the pitch they looked a decent side. Fast forward nearly four months and Richie Wellens’ side has, like last season, gone on a storming run towards the top of the table and currently sit in 7th, one place outside the playoffs having been unbeaten in their last ten league matches. Like City the Os also despatched of Championship opposition in the FA Cup with a penalty shoot out win over Derby to set up a dream tie with Manchester City. One of their scorers in the 2-0 win over Reading at the weekend was new loanee Dilan Markanday, who spent the first half of the season at Chesterfield but missed the FA Cup match at City, presumably as parent club Blackburn didn’t wish for him to be cup tied. Charlie Kelman, in his second loan spell at the club, is top scorer with 12 in all competitions (eight in the league).
That match at Brisbane Road saw City edge out their hosts 1-0, the goal proving to be Amani Richards’ only league goal in City colours. City will be aiming to avenge last season’s result at SJP, where denuded of their two Finnish internationals City were beaten 2-1 – City led through Mitchell but the visitors came back through Pigott and Sotiriou. City’s win in October levelled the league head to head at 34 wins apiece, with 26 matches finishing level.
The match officials for the game will be:-
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
Assistant Referees: Thomas Staten and Kevin Howick
Fourth Official : James Durkin
Reubyn Ricardo took charge of the reverse fixture back in October, which Exeter won 1-0 but he did send off Caleb Watts. He also too charge of Northampton against Exeter which City won 2-1 but sent off Will Aimson.
Interview with Gary Caldwell
Interview with Jack McMillan