“I felt that the game ought to have ended at halftime, but we just aren’t clinical enough, ruthless enough, or aware of when to finish the opposition off,”
Gary Caldwell, the manager of Exeter City, urged his team to be more brutal after they let Fleetwood Town take advantage of their first-half dominance. On Saturday at St. James Park, the Grecians played one of their most facile halves of football of the year and looked awful for the Cod Army, but they were ultimately unable to end the game.
On the twenty-fourth minute, Vincent Harper’s first goal for the team broke the scoreless draw after he was set up by a cross from Reece Cole. However, that was all they could muster from a half that ought to have been hidden.
Exeter had just three shots on goal to show for their complete dominance, while too many good opportunities to get the ball into the box were squandered (Ilmari Niskanen was guilty of hitting the first man numerous times).
Charlie Adam’s team had less than thirty percent of the play and only one shot in the first half, but they were a completely different team in the second half. They had 15 shots at halftime and most likely produced enough in the second half to win. The game ended 1-1, and they were forced to settle for a point thanks to a strike from Promise Omochere 15 minutes from time.
“I felt like we should have killed the opposition at halftime, but we’re not clinical enough, we’re not ruthless enough, and we don’t know when to shut them out,” Caldwell remarked.
“In the last 11 games, we have to quickly learn that it was 1-0 when it should have been 3-0 or 4-0.”In the first half, we dominated them handily, and I believe that everyone in the stadium saw who was the superior team. However, we don’t get enough shots, enough last-minute moves, or enough goals from that.
“That game ought to have ended at halftime. The players ought to understand that the object of the game is to win football games and score goals. Today, we let a team off the hook.” In the first half, we were excellent and we made them look bad. We completely destroyed them, but after that, you need to score in order to end the game. The game ought to have ended, but in the last third, we weren’t brutal enough.
Remarkably, Harper’s goal was just the second time this season that City had scored in the first half of a league match at St James Park; Will Aimson had gotten the other one back in August against Reading. The manager was upset after the game because, when the balance of play is taken into account, there were only six shots in the entire game.
Exeter remains 14th, seven spots above the relegation zone, thanks to the point. However, Fleetwood’s continued position of 23rd, seven points from safety, meant that there was a glaringly lost chance to allay any relegation fears.
It might have been insignificant because Brendan Wiredu’s attempt at an equaliser was disallowed due to a minor foul committed by Vil Sinisalo. However, there was some debate regarding the actual equaliser because it wasn’t clear from the replays whether Ronan Coughlan, who was clearly offside, touched the ball after Omochere’s shot or after it crossed the line.
Pierce Sweeney’s cross was judged to have swung out of play, depriving Aimson of a late winner for City. Replays aren’t always definitive, but Caldwell didn’t hold the officials accountable for the team’s inability to score three points.
He declared, “We have to look at ourselves today. I am the biggest moaner at referees.” We must check ourselves in the mirror. We were not good enough to win the game in the first half or to compete with them in the second.
After winning at Cambridge United to snap a four-game losing streak, City will travel to Peterborough United on Saturday for their next match. They will have a week to prepare for this match. With no wins in 36 years at London Road, Exeter’s record is appalling. They will also be without Cole for the next two games due to a suspension resulting from his tenth booking of the year.
But Jack Aitchison, who suffered a hamstring injury on Saturday and missed the game, might make a comeback. It will also be a big training week before he selects the squad, with many senior players hoping to make an impression either by starting on the bench or by not even making the squad.
Caldwell continued, “This week gives us time to get on the grass and push the players.” “We want to put the players to the test, and there are some who have been training well but are not in the squad.
“On the pitch, you have the opportunity to personalise the jersey and contribute to the season’s success. People are waiting in the wings for their opportunity if you don’t.
