Saturday 6 August 2011

SEASON PREVIEW # EXETER CITY

Exeter City




Ins: Guilleum Bauza (Northampton Town), Danny Coles (Bristol Rovers), Lenny Pidgeley (Bradford City), Callum McNish (Southampton), Nicholas Bignell (Reading) Loan



Outs: Jamie Cureton (Leyton Orient), Matthew Taylor (Charlton Athletic), Paul Jones (Peterborough United)



Compared to their local neighbours, Exeter City’s close season has been a fairly quite one.
Whilst Plainmoor, Huish Park and Home Park have witnessed managerial changes, a mass turnover of players and uncertainty over a proposed takeover respectively, Grecians boss Paul Tisdale has kept personnel changes to a minimum.
Whilst other clubs in the lower leagues have undertaken major surgery on their squads ahead of the 2011-12 campaign, Tisdale has opted for a nip and tuck operation.
Major departures for the Grecians include last season’s leading scorer Jamie Cureton, who has decided on a move to Leyton Orient, and skipper Matt Taylor who also headed for the capital to sign for Charlton Athletic. Midfield talisman Ryan Harley also returned to Swansea City after the Swans loaned him back to Exeter after signing him on a free transfer in January.
After equalling their highest ever league position of 8th in League One last season, the Grecians look well equipped to gain another top half finish, despite the departures of the aforementioned individuals.
Following the relegation of Plymouth Argyle, Exeter now find themselves as Devon’s sole representative in League One.

Player to Watch: Liam Sercombe
Following the departure of Ryan Harley, Sercombe has now taken over the mantle as the Grecians' brightest prospect. A product of the club's youth policy, he is tipped to follow in the footsteps of Dean Moxey, George Friend and Danny Seaborne who have all previously earned big money moves away from St James Park.