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Exeter City v Port Vale Match day Thread

Rosencrantz

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It was almost a typical Port Vale game for half an hour. Tight, defences on top, City just starting to edge possession and territory without working the keeper too much because of Vale's organisation. Then Kite struck and at 1-0 the game opened up and that was to our advantage. It could have been five, six, seven with good one on ones not taken advantage of by Sam and Coley and Jevani just curling a good chance for his hat trick wide.

The midfield three really got control of the game with Kite's inclusion justified with a man of the match performance. Not just his goal to open the game up but also his vision and pass to open Vale up for the killer third. On top of his relentless closing down and energy, his quality was there today as well. His covering of the ground and hard work to always be in support of the ball is impressive and something I have enjoyed watching him do from a youngster in the u23's alongside Will Dean.

I think Jevani will probably be a better player at L1 level than L2. He can really show his quality at this level. Sparkes and Hartridge had their side sown up. Although Vale had a few corners and a lot of long throws late on, we never looked in trouble defending them with Jamal and the defenders winning first contact. Only the first corner caused problems when Sam mis-kicked at the near post.

An entertaining game and conclusive result in the sun 🌞
 

Martin Weiler

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Exeter City in dreamland. Highest position in our history?
Interesting one.

Always a bit difficult comparing like with like as until 1958/9 the third tier had North and South Divisions.

It’s often argued that our 8th place in League One in 2010/11 is our highest ever finish. But was it? It’s easy to work out how many teams in the pyramid were above us - 20(PL) + 24 (Championship) + 7 (the teams above us in L1) = 51. So we were in effect 52nd.

BUT back in 1932/3 the Grecians finished 2nd in Division 3 South when only the top team in North and South got promoted. So close! At that time there were 22 (Div 1) + 24 (Div 2) + 1 (Div 3S winners) + 1 (Div 3 North winners) above us. So we were 49th equal with the North runners up.

At the moment (such early days) there are 20 (PL) + 24 (Championship) + 1 (L1 leaders) above us. So we are 46th. But of course this is not an end of season comparison. Someone with more time might do a season by season check on in season league placings to absolutely establish the answer to Suzi’s question.

One thing this does remind us is that we should not forget the 1932/33 side or the side in that general era. 1930/1 - FA Cup Quarter Final (actually in semi final draw due to draw at Sunderland); 1932/3 - 2nd in Div 3 South and 1933/4 - Winners Div 3 South Cup - our first major trophy in our professional era. That must have been some team!
 
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Martin Weiler

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We were also 8th in Division 3 in 1979/80. Again as with 2010/11 - 51 teams above us.
 

antman

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Well done lads.

Nevber understood people wanting us to bring in another midfielder, Harry Kite, when fit is the real deal.
No doubt that Kite looks like another yet another amazing prospect but in a game where we have to work much harder out of possession we are still need of a defensive midfielder of quality in my opinion. Sounds like Kegs has been brought in with that role in mind.
 

denzel

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Looking forward to us being featured above Argyle as Devon's premier team on Spotlight..........
 

DB9

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Looking forward to us being featured above Argyle as Devon's premier team on Spotlight..........
Us before Argyle on Spotlight? You've been in the sun too long today Denzel! 🙂
 

Rosencrantz

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No doubt that Kite looks like another yet another amazing prospect but in a game where we have to work much harder out of possession we are still need of a defensive midfielder of quality in my opinion. Sounds like Kegs has been brought in with that role in mind.
In Dieng, Collins, Kite and Kegs we have four central midfielders. Not defensive midfielders, not attacking midfielders. Not "No6's" or "No8's". Just four all round midfielders who can defend, attack, tackle, close down and score a few. Old fashioned maybe, but effective...yep. They were a delight to watch today rotating around each other.
 

Red Devon

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Loved that :) first win of the season under our belts and second in the League…Diabate was superb and my MoM.
 

Boyo

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No doubt that Kite looks like another yet another amazing prospect but in a game where we have to work much harder out of possession we are still need of a defensive midfielder of quality in my opinion. Sounds like Kegs has been brought in with that role in mind.
Based on the 10 mins or so that Kegs was on the pitch I’d suggest he’s not that type of player. Indeed, MT brought Grounds on and pushed Kegs forward to shore us up for the last few mins.
 

Grecian Max

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In Dieng, Collins, Kite and Kegs we have four central midfielders. Not defensive midfielders, not attacking midfielders. Not "No6's" or "No8's". Just four all round midfielders who can defend, attack, tackle, close down and score a few. Old fashioned maybe, but effective...yep. They were a delight to watch today rotating around each other.
MT has been open with the fact he's after someone of a different profile - those lads mentioned have a big part to play, but we will need that extra signing I think, particularly up against teams where we aren't dictating the pace of the game.
 
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