County go into today’s Edgeley Park clash with Bristol City knowing that only a win would be sufficient enough to kick-start our faltering season.
Exter come into the game in good form, having not lost in their last four matches…while County of course, have lost their last four and boss Gary Ablett knows it needs to improve, although he states that ‘the table isn’t a good reflection on how we’ve been playing.’
Vital Quotes:
Gary Ablett: ‘It is a very important game for both sides.’
‘We certainly haven’t had a lot of luck with our performances in the last three games.’
‘The table doesn’t lie and we had 14 points from 12 games and now we have got 14 points from 16 games.’
‘So that tells a story on its own of where we are at this current time. We need to improve and hopefully we can do.’
County Team News:
Nicholas Bignall has been ruled out of today’s clash and Tuesday’s clash with Colchester, and the striker has been sent back to Reading for treatment.
Carl Baker looked to have also been ruled out earlier in the week after suffering from flu, but he trained yesterday and should be OK for today.
Liam Bridcutt and Oli Johnson both complained of feeling unwell earlier in the week but both have trained recently and will be in the squad.
Player to watch: Peter Thompson
The Irish striker has been in good form of late having finally been deployed in a conventional 4-4-2 formation, but with striker Nick Bignall ruled out today, it will be interesting to see if Thommo is forced back into the lone striker mode.
Exeter Team News:
Exeter midfielder Neil Saunders and on-loan keeper Oscar Jansson are set to return to the squad after suffering illness last weekend.
Striker Marcus Stewart should hold onto his place in what is anticipated to be an unchanged starting eleven from the one that drew 2-2 at Colchester last week – County’s next outing.
Player to watch: Marcus Stewart
The experienced striker has scored goals wherever he’s been, and although he won’t have the legs to beat the younger and fitter Michael Raynes, he’s certainly got the guile and awareness to cause problems.
Match Odds
County – 8/5
raw – 11/5
xeter – 7/4
Next Fixtures:
Colchester v COUNTY
uesday 24th November ’09
he Something-something Stadium
eague One
.O 7:45pm
