Next Up: Wycombe Wanderers Away

The build-up to a City match is now met with fear and trepidation, as supporters, players and management alike wonder where the next win, or even point, is coming from. The worst thing is it’s difficult to pinpoint where it’s going wrong, as the performances in the main haven’t been bad, and on Saturday there was no help from the officials (Mr Simpson the ref drew musings that his first name is Homer), but the results continue to go awry. One puzzler on Saturday, however, was in the selection of pretty much an entire cast of “senior” players especially in light of Paul Tisdale’s comments after the Southend defeat where he hinted strongly at dropping a number of his senior players. This buzz was heightened after Wednesday night’s stunning win over Southampton in the U21 Cup, but Saturday saw no place in the line-up for the likes of Grimes, Nichols and Keohane. This may, however, have been with Tuesday night in mind, where Tisdale may be tempted to make wholesale changes in an attempt to recapture the winning formula.

Wycombe have endured something of an up and down season to date, and currently sit in 15th place in the table (but stand to go above City should they emerge victorious on Tuesday night). Manager Gareth Ainsworth has instilled his own competitive spirit in his side, as emphasised by their physical approach the last time they hosted the Grecians on New Year’s Day. Like City they are out of form in the league, their last win coincidentally on October 19th, the day City recorded their last win (that 4-0 trouncing of Scunthorpe becoming an ever more distant memory!). They did, however, record a stunning 2-0 win at League One strugglers Crewe in the FA Cup, but surrendered 2-0 to Chesterfield on Saturday. Players to look out for will be ex-Plymouth forward Paris Cowan-Hall alongside Matt McClure, although top scorer is one-time City trialist Dean Morgan. At the back is likely to be veteran Gary Doherty, while Stuart Lewis in midfield is tigerish in the tackle.

The sides have already met once this season, a forgettable 2-0 defeat at the Park in the JPT. Last season it was City who held the upper hand – the aforementioned battle of Adams Park on New Year’s Day saw 10-man City overcome the loss of Jamie Cureton to win late on, the goal credited to John O’Flynn despite clearly being a Kortney Hause Own Goal. Back in September a cheeky flick from Danny Coles secured a 3-2 win, the other goals from Davies and Cureton each equalising goals from Ainsworth and Morgan. City hold the head-to-head lead in the Football League with three wins to Wycombe’s two (three draws), although the Chairboys have the overall lead with two Football League Trophy victories.

Match Officials: http://www.exeweb.com/2013/11/24/match-officials-away-to-wycombe-wanderers/

Ticket information: http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/article/away-ticket-details-wycombe1314-1161736.aspx

Ground Guide: http://www.exeweb.com/2012/08/05/the-things-you-need-to-know-adams-park/