Hoping to go top again v already won the league twice (Exeter v Luton)

[denzel ecfc]

Should be a good game this. We weren't at our best at Wycombe and I'm hoping a bit more creativity will unlock Luton. Big test for our usually solid defence, possibly with Moxey staying at centre half as JMT is still out.
Looking forward to a bumper crowd and a 2-1 win

 

[Youpies]

Luton are on a roll. Look like they could basically steamroller the division having signed most of last years best players. Will be interesting to see how they do after a 7-1 win. Can go both ways...

I do expect one team from this game to go top on Tuesday night.

 

[Moomin]

Bloody tough game as Luton are on fire although they do seem to be more vulnerable on the road. Hylton always scores against us so we will need to be at our best to stop him, not to mention Collins and Berry.

I expect that Jack Stacey will quite rightly get a good ovation from our fans as he’s still loved for that goal back in May...

As for us, we’ve got a defensive issue in that both Moore-Taylor and Croll are most likely going to miss out by the ever versatile Dean Moxey has been great at CB so expect he will partner Troy Brown. One other concern is that Hiram Boateng went off after a bad challenge from Marcus Bean vs Wycombe (shock horror) so he’s a doubt also. Otherwise expect us to play Reid and Stockley up top and Holmes likely for a recall on the wing.

Should be a decent crowd of around 5k and to be honest I’d be content with a point. 2-2 - Stockley and Taylor for us. Hylton with two dinked penalties for Luton.

 

[shoddycollins]

Luton have actually won the league three times if you include this season.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Will be interesting how we back up Saturday, after we put 8 past Yeovil we promptly followed that up with a pretty poor performance and 1-0 defeat. Hopefully we’ve learned not to believe our own hype too much after that!

Being honest I’d take a point here to keep the unbeaten run going, witha a winnable looking game at Crawley in Saturday. If we win then you’ll have trouble keeping my feet on the ground I think!

 

[Devon_Lad]

3-0 Win for the Grecians, still second to Notts after they beat Crewe 1-0, and remain top on goals scored.

 

[Trapdoor]

I'd take a point now to keep our momentum. Luton will probably tear us apart though.

Need JMT, Croll and Boateng back asap.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Away form has been patchy this season but we looked really strong and professional last time out against Accrington so hoping we keep that up. I'd take a point if offered but after the last few results and Saturday especially it's hard not to get a little bit optimistic and hope for all three to send out a real message.

As TFCH points out though last time we had a result like Saturday we were utter shite in the following away game and lost to a poor Barnet team so nothing would surprise me tomorrow.

 

[BelizeHatter]

We keep rising to the tests. This prob one, if not the, toughest game of the season and with a limited away following due to restrictions, distance and midweek. Let's see. I'd take a point would love three but wouldn't be shocked at none. It should be a ding dong of a game - so 0-0 for sure.

 

[Judge Dredd]

One or two big calls team selection-wise - does JJ keep his place at left back or does the previously ever-present Potts come back in following his suspension? JJ looked a bit rusty to start with on Sat I felt but second half was excellent. He's clearly better going forward than Potts even on his unnatural side. Potts probably a bit more resolute defensively and is naturally left-footed so perhaps more comfortable defending against players trying to get round the outside. Good in the air too. Tough call.

Also potentially Sheehan may be available again after the birth of his child. Mullins did well enough on Saturday but I do tend to think Sheehan is better than him and he and Cuthbert had forged a promising partnership. We did leak a few chances on Saturday first half especially and Mullins arguably at fault for their goal. Then again there is no need to rush Sheehan back and football is probably the least of his concerns this week!

Honestly not sure what I would do for either of those. Never change a winning team I suppose, but it's also a consideration that neither JJ nor Mullins have played much football this season so may not be fit enough to do 2x 90 minutes in a few days (Mullins nearly had to come off on Saturday in fact).

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

Likewise, would take a point, would be ecstatic with 3, but can easily see ourselves getting none.

Luton look strong this season, unsurprisingly based on who they've signed so it will be a really tough test. Sounds as if Stacey has made a really good start (looks a good decision from Tis and the coaches to mould him into a right back) and he'll get a good reception from the City fans.

We're unbeaten in our last 3 matches but as someone on twitter has pointed out, we haven't managed to score from open play in 4 of the past 5 matches which is worrying. Reid is also on a bit of a goal drought after starting the season on fire whilst Stockley has made a decent start for us. Hopefully Boatengs is available after hobbling off against Wycombe on Saturday and despite playing well hopefully Moxey can be moved from centre back by a returning JMT or Croll.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Luton look strong this season, unsurprisingly based on who they've signed so it will be a really tough test. Sounds as if Stacey has made a really good start (looks a good decision from Tis and the coaches to mould him into a right back) and he'll get a good reception from the City fans.

Stacey has been absolutely outstanding. He's keeping an England u-20 right back who we rejected seven figure bids for in the summer out of the team and rightly so, he's not put a foot wrong and (without checking) I would imagine is our top assist-maker thus far. Looks the real deal as a marauding right back.

We're unbeaten in our last 3 matches but as someone on twitter has pointed out, we haven't managed to score from open play in 4 of the past 5 matches which is worrying. Reid is also on a bit of a goal drought after starting the season on fire whilst Stockley has made a decent start for us.

Haven't seen you guys play yet this season - how do you tend to line up? 4-4-2 with Reid and Stockley together up front or do those two rotate?

 

[BelizeHatter]

Stacey is probably our standout player of the season so far. Cracking signing and amazing impact so far, easily keeping out a £10M international

Edit. Lol beaten to the punch

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

Haven't seen you guys play yet this season - how do you tend to line up? 4-4-2 with Reid and Stockley together up front or do those two rotate?

Yep, pretty much always line up 4-4-2. Started the season with McAlinden partnering Reid but Stockley has forced his way in and has played well since doing so, scoring 4 goals. As mentioned earlier Reid certainly seemed to enjoy playing with McAlinden and was scoring regularly. He hasn't scored for a while now but there have been signs of good interplay between himself and Stockley so fingers crossed it's only a matter of time before he starts finding the net again.

 

[Maple Hatter]

A very tough game for us baring in mind how Exeter have started but if you were going to arrange a date for this game then now is probably the best time. Our recent performances have been top notch and confidence is high with good competition for places. The fact that we have a strong bench means we can bring on quality if needed. A draw would be a terrific result but we are capable of winning this. Exeter fans and management seem to be as cautious as us about the outcome. I'd like Justin to keep his place purely because I feel he is the better defender with his ability to read the game and his pace. Potts isn't far behind though, he''s improved greatlty this season, so whoever NJ chooses is fine with me. Hylton and Berry are on fire and Collins is a hungry striker desperate to score and therefore we should score. We can be vulnerable at the back at times hence why I've predicted 2-2.
Wasn't that impressd with Stockley when he was with us but I didn't feel we played to his strengths. He seems to have got better since then though. Will be an intersting dual between him and Cuthbert.​

 

[B13EEV]

3-1 to hatters....
I think Exeter will get found out...
and remembering how Stockley plays.. can't see Cuthbert/Sheehan having too much to worry about.

 

[Trapdoor]

Stockley is quality. We know how to organise the team to play to individuals strengths - see our adaptation of Jack Stacey to a right back.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Nailed on to score against us as views like the above are pretty common amongst us Hatters (for whatever reason he was just not very good at all in his spell here, clearly come on a lot since) so it's sod's law he'll put on a show.

 

[Bosox]

Stockley was terrible when he was on loan with us but clearly he's a much better player now. Players are allowed to get better over time, I remember a young Harry Kane being subbed at half time after a dreadful performance against Luton in the FA Cup when he was on loan at Norwich. He's developed a bit since then.

 

[denzel ecfc]

3-1 to hatters....
I think Exeter will get found out...
and remembering how Stockley plays.. can't see Cuthbert/Sheehan having too much to worry about.

Found out how? We've already lost at home to Notts, it would hardly be a shock if we lost. I'd say it would be more of a shock if we didn't concede, playing against the Man City of League Two..

 

[Kenneth E End]

Stacey is probably our standout player of the season so far. Cracking signing and amazing impact so far, easily keeping out a £10M international

Edit. Lol beaten to the punch

Stacey is only 21 too. He's got a great career ahead of him.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Justin drops back to the bench then and Mullins replaced by Sheehan. The latter more expected than he former although not surprised at either. Feel for JJ but guessing Potts height and defensive ability has trumped him on this occasion.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Justin drops back to the bench then and Mullins replaced by Sheehan. The latter more expected than he former although not surprised at either. Feel for JJ but guessing Potts height and defensive ability has trumped him on this occasion.

Potts was undeservedly suspended on Saturday. It was only for a cheating Accrington player he got his 5th booking.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Whatever the result tonight, this won't define either side's season.

If Luton win, they could go top, but will Exeter will only be 1 point behind. If Luton lose, they will be 5 points off top and maybe only a couple of points off the top 3.

The leagues are won and lost against the shit teams in the division.

 

[Hatter86]

Would be happy with a draw, can see us losing. Concerning there is still no McCormack or Shinnie back from injury. D’ath not in the squad either.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Exeter City 0-1 Luton Town
James Collins
1st forray out of our half

 

[BelizeHatter]

Getting battered up to that point. They could have scored at least twice, hit underside of bar from Stockley who looks very useful compared to when with us before

 

[Kenneth E End]

Getting battered up to that point. They could have scored at least twice, hit underside of bar from Stockley who looks very useful compared to when with us before

I missed the first few minutes but up to that point we couldn’t even get a touch of the ball barely,

 

[BelizeHatter]

They hit the underside of bar practically from kickoff in a great move

 

[Kenneth E End]

1-1 deserved equalised from Jake Taylor.

Edit: I was about to say before the goal that we’re being totally overrun in midfield. We’re probably too offensive.