Exeter City v Plymouth Argyle
Man in the middle KEITH STROUD GAMES 38
YELLOWS 166 REDS 11 (HE HAS BOOKED 9 IN ONE MATCH)
Assisted by Christopher Husband and Brian Durie
Fourth Official Justin Amey
Argyle NewsDEREK Adams and half of his Pilgrims squad head to St James Park this Saturday for their first taste of a Sky Bet League 2 game in Devon’s county town
There is no shortage of derby experience in the Argyle ranks.
Players and staff on duty at Exeter have taken part in little local spats in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and the Scottish Highlands, as well as Devon.
When the atmosphere is what it’s like – it’s a full-house and both sets of fans want to win the game they are the enjoyable games,” said Derek.
“It’s the same as any other derby; both sets of fans don’t like each other and both teams want to win the game. Derby matches are like that all over the world and both teams want to get one over each other.
“When you go into a derby match, it is important that you beat your rivals. We are no different. We enjoyed victory over them here this season and we know what it is to win against them. We look forward to going there this Saturday.
“There’s a big rivalry between the two teams and it’s important you win the game for the fans. Both teams will be very competitive. We’ve got a very good away record and that’s something we’re proud of; we will need to have that level of performance to go and win on Saturday.
“It’s easier said, than done, but when you get to the ground, and both sets of supporters are in there and the atmosphere is electric, both teams will want to go and put on a good show and want to win the match.
“We know that we won there last year; we’ve won here this season in the cup. We’ve played them twice this season; we know what their strengths and weaknesses are. Likewise them with us.”
Apart from Ryan Brunt’s long-term cruciate injury – which was operated upon this week – Argyle’s only injury concern is defender Oscar Threlkeld, who missed Monday’s 3-2 win over York with a slight groin strain.
Threlkeld is one of seven loan players at Home Park, of which only a handful can be named in the match-day squad. Another is former Exeter favourite Daniel Nardiello.
“We can only play five loan players and it is very difficult, when we have got seven, to fit everybody in,” said Derek. “All the loan players are in the same situation; when you come on loan, it becomes difficult when a club has got over the allowed number to play in the team.
“Daniel is in the same situation as Oscar Threlkeld, [Craig] Tanner, the lot of them – everyone understands that.”
There is no Plymouth born player in this derby game
EXETER CITY NEWSEXETER CITY look to take another step closer to the top seven when Plymouth Argyle visit St James Park for the Devon derby this weekend.
The Grecians have met the Pilgrims twice already this season, with the Green Army winning in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and Ryan Harley's double sealing the bragging rights in the league.
Both of those were at Home Park - now we have two clashes at St James Park in the space of four days, with the St. Luke's Cup semi-final to follow on Tuesday evening.
If you're a member, you can purchase tickets online up to 12pm tomorrow, or in-person up to 5pm this evening at club reception. There will be no ticket sales on the gate.
EXETER CITY manager Paul Tisdale insisted that both sides will be going for the three points ahead of a hugely significant Devon derby against Plymouth Argyle this weekend.
The Pilgrims visit St James Park needing the points to sustain their automatic promotion push, but the Grecians are looking to make up the necessary ground in order to reach the top seven and thereby book a place in the Sky Bet League 2 Play-Offs.
"It's a different type of week, the week leading up to a Devon derby," Paul said. "This particular game has an extra significance in terms of what the three points can do for both sides. There are elements of excitement and anxiety about it, but when it gets to 3pm on Saturday, the players will be going out there to do their best. We'll prepare as best we can for it, but it is a derby, and it's certainly not just a game.
"It will be a tough test. There's an old cliche that form makes no difference when you're going into a derby, but of course it helps; it's better to have won six than to have lost six. It'll be a very competitive game, and the fact that both teams need the three points, with games running out, means that this will be an interesting challenge if the game is all-square with twenty or so minutes to go. We both need the three points.
"I've experienced winning and losing - it's a different type of game, but it's something that we'll be highly prepared for.
"Alex Nicholls has returned from his facial injury, wearing his mask, so he's back now. David Noble should be fit and available having sat out the last two games with a rib injury, while there are doubts on Jordan Moore-Taylor and Matt Oakley, who both missed out on Monday.
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Thu Mar 31, 2016 11:21 am
