Next Up: Fleetwood Town at Home

A point on the road was not enough to lift City away from the bottom three going into this weekend’s fixtures after Accrington’s 5-1 thumping of Morecambe, but a heavy home defeat for Northampton at least ensures it’s “as you were” at the bottom, with City three points clear (with a healthier goal difference essentially four clear) of the Cobblers going into the first of two successive Saturday home fixtures sandwiching the massive derby on Tuesday night. The starting line-up is anybody’s guess right now as Paul Tisdale searches for a first home win in nearly six months, although Matt Gill will hope to keep his place in the side, as will Jordan Moore-Taylor. Elliot Richards started in Wales and will hope to keep his place, while Jimmy Keohane could be a candidate to at least make the bench after missing the squad for the last three games.

Fleetwood are the undoubted “moneybags” side of the division thanks to an unusual rent agreement on their ground which sees Chairman Andy Pilley’s company based there. It is no surprise therefore to see the Cod Army battling it out at the top end of the table, although a slight lack of consistency (18 wins, 12 defeats and just 7 draws) has left the Lancashire side four points adrift of the top three. Manager Graham Alexander has assembled a strong squad with his vast financial backing, and City will have to pay particular attention to forwards Jon “The Beast” Parkin (10 goals this season) and Jamille Matt (also with 10), but goals come from all over the squad.

With Fleetwood very much a “new money” side that has appeared from nowhere in recent seasons, Saturday’s match marks only the fourth occasion the sides have met, and City will hope to continue their unbeaten run against the Cod Army. The reverse of this fixture back in September saw City come back from going a goal down (Matty Blair) to win 2-1 with a brace from emergency striker Scot Bennett. This match last season was an entertaining 2-2 draw. Fleetwood twice took the lead (McNulty and Nicholson) only to be pegged back each time through Cureton and a John O’Flynn penalty.

Match Officials: http://www.exeweb.com/2014/03/18/match-officials-fleetwood-town-at-home/

All a visiting fan needs to know about visiting Exeter and St James Park  http://www.exeweb.com/2012/05/29/the-things-you-need-to-know-st-james-park-exeter/