TT BLOG

Chris Wade

@tufcchris

PRESSING, PACE & AGILITY

What was the most impressive part of Tuesday’s night encouraging display at home to Plymouth Argyle was the way that the team pressed. With Argyle’s tactic of playing out from the back, the players in the front areas worked hard to close the space and close the areas in their back line. Make no mistake that is hard work for 90 minutes. The pressing inside from wide areas from Jack Stobbs and Lewis Collins, and the drive forward from the midfield players was impressive from all. We stole the ball on several occasions and Brett McGavin could/should have scored in the first fifteen minutes. This should be the blue print for the season ahead, and Exeter too like to play football from the back.

ATTACKING VERVE

It was great to see how bright and positive we were against a Championship team on Tuesday. The combination down each flank had clearly been worked on and was effective, and the two forwards down the middle were a constant threat. So often last season we lacked any real quality and invention in the final third, but looked to be a distant memory. Stobbs and Collins played as wing backs effectively, but spent the majority of their time in attacking areas. To play in that system and be successful, you have to work hard and track back and they both did it well. There would be a concern that it could be a little too positive, but in reality, we will need to be on the front foot in most games this season. Another tough task awaits against Exeter, but that press and drive will hopefully be in evidence again.

ASH LIVEWIRE

It was the first time that the Plainmoor faithful have seen Bradley Ash and you couldn’t help be impressed. Alert, lively and forward thinking, he looks an excellent addition from Weymouth. He looks to be able to play in between the lines, come short and go over the top, which gives you a variety of different ways to play. He’s not the tallest, but wasn’t afraid to get stuck in against some pretty chunky Plymouth defenders. We have all watched the video montage of his goals last season, and he added a second Torquay goal of pre season in the last fifteen minutes. Good movement in the box to get in between the two Plymouth centre backs allowed him a yard of space to head in Stobbs’ cross. Good signs for sure.

DEFENSIVE UNIT

There’s no doubt that the main gaps in the squad at present are at the back. The three that started on Tuesday of Shaun Donnellan, Ollie Tomlinson and trialist A (Finlay Craske) came up well against some quality forwards. A feature of the much-maligned Donnellan (excessively in my view) last season was his ability to carry the ball out of the defence, break the lines and get some attacks going. He did this several times in the first half on Tuesday and will be an important player again this term. I was impressed with Tomlinson and his ability to win his headers, be positionally sound and mop up as and when needed. He could see a lot more action this season. Craske looks like a player you want and should feature again on Saturday.

ATMOSPHERE

A crowd of 3585 is an excellent start to the home season. 2100 home fans made the journey to Plainmoor and made a good start. The oddly positive atmosphere has continued from the end of last season, and people were pleased to see it continue. Having Exeter City come to the home of football is always exciting, not least when you win, as we did 1-0 in the corresponding fixture last season. Exeter have added six new faces, including former Premier League player Tom Carroll and will be looking to build on a solid first season in league one, and kick on if they can. As somebody who works with a lot of Exeter fans, another win would be nice lads. Please.