Next Up: Exeter City vs Blackpool
An even more patched up City side managed to scrape a draw at surprise strugglers Peterborough on Tuesday night, and Gary Caldwell is hoping to have more options to choose from as City host another side lower in the table than predicted on Saturday. In addition to known absentees Vincent Harper (concussion) and Jack McMillan (suspended), Caldwell had to contend with the late withdrawals of Jake Richards and Caleb Watts. Ben Purrington returned to the side and will hope to keep his place, but with McMillan and Richards set to return Caldwell will be free to move things around once more. Watts is now officially out of contract and given his form in recent weeks City supporters will be hoping he has put pen to paper ahead of Saturday, while Caldwell is on the lookout for reinforcements with the transfer window slamming shut in the next week or so.
Expected to challenge once more for the playoffs, Blackpool go into Saturday’s fixture in 15th place, one below City, and having established themselves as draw specialists under Steve Bruce. Six of their last seven fixtures (including a penalty shoot out defeat to Aston Villa’s youngsters in the EFL Trophy) have finished level including their last four league fixtures, with the other match a 2-1 defeat at Wrexham. The Seasiders have lost one of their star players, Kyle Joseph, in a big money move to Hull during the window plus the experienced Oliver Norburn has gone on loan to Wigan, while Bruce has made one permanent and two loan signings so far in January. Joseph was comfortably Blackpool’s leading scorer with nine in all competitions, while the vastly experienced Jordan Rhodes has yet to find the net in the league albeit having mostly played from the bench.
The reverse fixture at Bloomfield Road saw City do what they’ve done a few other times this season and succumb to a late winner. Blackpool led through Hamilton before Ed Francis’ free kick late on looked to secure a point, only for Husband to net a late winner. Blackpool’s visit to City last season won’t have lived long in the memory as the sides played out a 0-0 draw. City haven’t registered a win in this fixture since 2001 when a 2-0 win against a Blackpool side that would end up promoted went a long way to securing City’s survival in the fourth tier. Blackpool lead the league head to head 9-4, with six matches finishing level.
The match officials for this game will be:-
Referee: James Oldham
Assistant Referees: Jack Clench and Samuel Fudge
Fourth Official : Lee Swabey
We’ve not had James Oldham take charge of an Exeter City game since October 2021, when City won 3-1 at Crawley. He’s taken charge of 12 games this season, issuing 50 yellows and 6 red cards.
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