Next Up: Exeter City vs Blackpool

A familiar theme blighted City’s first match of the season as a shocking refereeing decision late in the match led to a 1-0 defeat at Doncaster, with supporters’ minds cast back to matches against the likes of Wycombe last season. However, even if the outcome relied on a late penalty, a draw would have masked what was an insipid performance from City who failed to register a shot on target all game. Gary Caldwell changed things up by going with two up top, but in truth City lacked a creative spark until the new formation was abandoned and Jack Aitchison was brought on.

Therefore Caldwell may revert to the tried and tested on Saturday meaning one of Sonny Cox or Jayden Wareham moves aside. Elsewhere a number of injuries meant several of City’s youngsters got some game time such as Tom Dean, George Birch and Kieran Wilson, while City have a further injury worry as Jack McMillan limped out of the Doncaster match. While the x-ray showed no break, it could still be that McMillan struggles to be fit for Blackpool, and therefore Ryan Rydel could come in with Ilmari Niskanen moving back to his preferred right side.

Like City, Blackpool have had a busy pre-season on the transfer front, with a large number of players moving in and out of the club as Steve Bruce looks to shape his side into one that will challenge for promotion after recovering from a poor start to finish 9th last time. However, in perhaps a sign that his new look squad may take time to gel the Seasiders fell to a surprise 2-3 home defeat to Stevenage last week. Two of Bruce’s more high profile signings, Niall Ennis and George Honeyman, were the scorers and both will look to continue their personal starts on Saturday as ones to watch. Ashley Fletcher was last season’s top scorer with 11 and he will hope to get off the mark.

City’s record against Blackpool in the last two seasons has been pretty dreadful, with just one point from the four matches between the sides since Blackpool’s relegation from the Championship. Last season saw Bruce’s side take six points from this fixture – the corresponding match saw Blackpool race into a 3-0 lead by half time through Hamilton, Bloxham and Fletcher as they took advantage of City finishing the half without a recognised defender on the pitch after Jack Fitzwater had limped off at 0-1 in the 39th minute. City rallied slightly in the second half and reduced the arrears late on through Millenic Alli. The reverse fixture back in August had seen late drama – Hamilton’s first half goal appeared to have given Blackpool the points, but Ed Francis’ free kick in the 88th minute looked to give City a share of the spoils only for Husband to pop up with a late winner for the hosts. Those wins extended Blackpool’s league head to head lead to 10-4, with six matches finishing level.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Carl Brook
Assistant Referees: Jack Clench and Samuel Fudge
Fourth Official: Matthew Scholes

Carl Brook took charge of two Exeter games last season. The 2-1 defeat away at Northampton in August, and the 1-0 away win at Cambridge United in February. Last season he took charge of 33 games, showing 131 yellow cards and sending off three players.

Interview with Gary Caldwell

Interview with Reece Cole