Next Up: Exeter City v Bury

A week is a long time in politics, and given City’s turnaround one could equally apply it to Football. However, both wins were on the road, a familiar story for City in the last couple of seasons, now it is up to Paul Tisdale and his side to translate the positivity gained from wins at Cambridge and Tranmere into some semblance of home form. With that in mind, Tisdale would probably have hoped for an easier match than the table-topping promotion favourites. Scot Bennett will hope to have recovered from his knee injury, and if Tisdale does have his club captain at his disposal it will provide an interesting selection headache given the performance of Oakley, Moore-Taylor and Ribeiro at the back last week. One name definitely not in contention sadly is Pat Baldwin, who has joined Jamie Reid on the long-term injury list.

Being given the tag of promotion favourites can weigh heavily on a team, but David Flitcroft’s big spenders have so far justified the tag and, after a comprehensive 3-1 win over previous leaders Burton last week the Shakers sit proudly at the top of the table. Their only defeat was on the opening day of the season against Cheltenham, since when they have recorded five wins and two draws and almost knocked  Championship side Bolton out of the Capital One Cup. City will be up against a fearsome trio up front, Danny Rose already has five goals to his name while Ryan Lowe has four and former City star Daniel Nardiello has three, including two at Burton last week.

Even though City and Bury haven’t always been in the same division since City’s return to the league there have been regular meetings between the sides due to the vagaries of the FA Cup draw handing City a visit to Gigg Lane virtually every other season. This season’s first round draw therefore is to be dreaded, although these draws have taken place when the sides haven’t been in the same division so we may be spared this time! Last season’s fixture at the Park saw City twice come from behind to draw 2-2 – Nardiello scored at his former home, Wheeler equalised, Cameron put Bury back ahead before Nichols snatched a point. The return saw Bury easily overcome a tepid City 2-0 (Hussey and Soares). Bury hold a comfortable league head-to-head lead with 15 wins to City’s 7 (8 draws).

Match Officials: http://www.exeweb.com/2014/09/23/match-officials-exeter-city-v-bury-fc/

Last time we met at St James Park – http://www.grecians.co.uk/wordpress/?tb_match=236