The Grecians will travel to London in strong form, having won four and drawn two of their last six games, earning 14 points and ranking third in the form table.
Exeter City will try to extend their unbeaten streak to seven games when they visit to Leyton Orient tonight. The Grecians will travel to London in strong form, having won four and drawn two of their last six games, earning 14 points and ranking third in the form table.
The 1-0 victory over Stevenage on Saturday propelled City into the top half of the League One table for the first time since early October. While relegation is not on anyone’s mind, Gary Caldwell’s side may mathematically secure another season in the third division tonight if they win and Cheltenham Town lose any points.
Caldwell is eager to continue his unbeaten streak, which is the longest he has gone without losing during his tenure. City last went seven games unbeaten during their League Two promotion run in March/April 2022, while the last time they did it in League One was in March/April 2010, when they went nine games unbeaten.
Caldwell will put together a team to win the game. However, he is also looking ahead to the 2024/25 season in order to shape his group for the next season.
Alex Hartridge, who led the side at St James Park on Saturday, is unlikely to play since he will leave the club at the end of the season, while Zak Jules (suspension) and Ben Purrington (concussion) are expected to return. Sonny Cox is expected to miss the game due to a hamstring injury, thus Cheick Diabate or Jake Richards will have to start if the academy streak is to continue for 476 games.
The first goal is to win the game, followed by involving players who will be or want to be here next season,” Caldwell said. “Every game, we will look to win while also selecting guys who we believe will be with us next season.
“It’s been a really positive week and the boys are in a good place, but you’re only as good as your last game,” said assistant manager Kevin Nicholson.
“Orient is an extraordinarily difficult place to go and achieve results. Today we must take stock and ensure that everyone is prepared, before preparing for what will undoubtedly be a difficult game. They have had a fantastic season and have been in and around the play-offs, and they have a highly experienced manager, both as a player and as a manager, and they are a large football club. They will see this season as a chance to lay the groundwork for next season.
So we have to go there and demonstrate what we are about, try to capitalise on the positives we have begun to show, be more difficult to break down, and be more brutal in their box. It will be a good game.
Defender Will Aimson added: “It’s vital to focus on what we’re doing to achieve these outcomes right now. We’ve had games when we had to grind it out, such as against Burton with ten men, and we’ve all risen to the occasion.
“It is also a credit to the travelling fans, who are very supportive of us. We know how much it costs and how long it takes to travel. It is not easy for them, especially on a Tuesday night, so we do appreciate them.
