How they got to League Two...
Exeter City return to the Football League for next season after a five year absence from the big time. The Grecians won the Blue Square Premier play-offs thanks to a solitary Rob Edwards header deciding their Wembley clash with Cambridge United.
After defeat to Morecambe in last year's final at the Millenium stadium in Cardiff, City put things right with a show of experience against the highly fancied U's.
City went into the round robin play-offs as the in-form outfit, ending the league campaign with just one defeat in nine games.
The Grecians rocketed into fourth place before ending local Devonshire rivals Torquay United's hopes of promotion in a double legged win.
In a season which promised so much, City certainly delivered with some massively efficient displays. They were sterling in the big games and they had to be.
Performance of the term came away at Stevenage at the start of April as the season hit climax. Steve Basham hit the only goal in the narrow win at Broadhall Way. The Grecians moved into the play-off spaces and never looked back.
The win also completed the double over Boro after a 4-0 crushing of the fellow promotion chasers back in February.
Manager...
Boss Paul Tisdale was certainly a gamble when he was handed the role in the St James' hot seat two seasons ago, but the master of fine detail has this term steered the Grecians to the higher reaches of the English game.
Tisdale was appointed after a seven year stint at non-league minno
ws Team Bath and despite having his experience and book of contacts held under close scrutiny, the determined chief has proved his many critics wrong with play-off triumph this season.
His methodical and scientific approach to management has paid its rewards with his well-drilled and adaptable Exeter outfit proving the strongest of the chasing pack as the season drew to a close.
The City boss has yet to ever rush into the transfer market and instead has employed shrewd signings and faith in the Grecians youth policy to bring success back to St James' Park. His style may not be the most glamorous but earning promotion has seen his reputation sore.
Players to watch...
Deep down fans will be hoping to see their players plucked from the youth set up shine next season in the Football League.
Full-back George Friend, centre-half Danny Seabourne central midfielder Dean Moxey were also shown faith by boss Tisdale and went on to play leading roles in City's run to promotion.
These players can be thanked for Tisdale's high reputation of using and grooming young guns. The step up will be tough but this trio looked so comfortable with life in the Conference, they should be able to cope.
Striker and season top scorer Richard Logan is another danger man to keep an eye for. The former Ipswich Town trainee is technically Football League quality, there is no doubt. He is a confidence player though and may need some goals early on to settle into life in League Two.
And, Moxey's midfield partner Ryan Harley has the ability to take the division by storm too.
Strengths...
Exeter's home form could count as a massive strength as they embark on life in League Two next term.
The Grecians were defeated just once on their own soil this season and an anywhere similar record in the fourth tier next year will guarantee their survival and maybe even more.
St James' Park proved a difficult hunting ground for all but winners Burton Albion, and it will not be a nice place to visit for any
of their new divisional rivals.
Weaknesses....
Tisdale likes to tinker with his formation frequently and although it has brought him success in the Blue Square Premier this time, it may not be so successful in the League.
The flexibility is an added beneift to a side, who are bigger hitters in any league but with the number one priority likely to be avoiding the drop, changing the style of play week-on-week may cause more harm than it brings results.
Crucial factor...
There is absolutely no doubt the Grecians do hold the quality in their squad to more than survive in League Two next season, but to be even further equipped for the challange, Tisdale will need to add stronger depth to his ranks.
A large proportion of his squad are inexperienced at league level, so two or three players with higher level know how, would be crucial to how they fare.
The Grecians are still to publish their summer retained list and as with any club, this is a vital factor.
It is safe to say City will need to strengthen particularly up front to compete in the division.
How will they fare in League Two...
On paper and judging by Exeter's quality against other sides who have been promoted in recent years, City have very little to fear in their return to the Football League.
The Grecians have been here before and other teams who have dropped out of the fourth tier and returned have actually benefited, especially when you look at Hereford United and Darlington as case studies.
Assuming Tisdale strengthens in the obvious ways, their decent home form should be enough to see them easily into the safe region of the division.
Less equipped teams have managed to keep their head above water in years gone by but in what is expected to be an extremely competitive league, promotions hopes may be a little too hopeful.
NCM prediction...
Exeter probably have enough about them to beat the drop next season. But the fans will in fact harbour further hopes higher up the league next term. The Grecians will be hoping to take a leaf or two out of Morecambe's book and flirt in the upper half of the League Two ladder. They will not quite match the Shrimps though. 14th to 17th is more likely.
Exeter City return to the Football League for next season after a five year absence from the big time. The Grecians won the Blue Square Premier play-offs thanks to a solitary Rob Edwards header deciding their Wembley clash with Cambridge United.
After defeat to Morecambe in last year's final at the Millenium stadium in Cardiff, City put things right with a show of experience against the highly fancied U's.
City went into the round robin play-offs as the in-form outfit, ending the league campaign with just one defeat in nine games.
|
The Grecians rocketed into fourth place before ending local Devonshire rivals Torquay United's hopes of promotion in a double legged win.
In a season which promised so much, City certainly delivered with some massively efficient displays. They were sterling in the big games and they had to be.
Performance of the term came away at Stevenage at the start of April as the season hit climax. Steve Basham hit the only goal in the narrow win at Broadhall Way. The Grecians moved into the play-off spaces and never looked back.
The win also completed the double over Boro after a 4-0 crushing of the fellow promotion chasers back in February.
Manager...
Boss Paul Tisdale was certainly a gamble when he was handed the role in the St James' hot seat two seasons ago, but the master of fine detail has this term steered the Grecians to the higher reaches of the English game.
Tisdale was appointed after a seven year stint at non-league minno
|
His methodical and scientific approach to management has paid its rewards with his well-drilled and adaptable Exeter outfit proving the strongest of the chasing pack as the season drew to a close.
The City boss has yet to ever rush into the transfer market and instead has employed shrewd signings and faith in the Grecians youth policy to bring success back to St James' Park. His style may not be the most glamorous but earning promotion has seen his reputation sore.
Players to watch...
Deep down fans will be hoping to see their players plucked from the youth set up shine next season in the Football League.
Full-back George Friend, centre-half Danny Seabourne central midfielder Dean Moxey were also shown faith by boss Tisdale and went on to play leading roles in City's run to promotion.
|
Striker and season top scorer Richard Logan is another danger man to keep an eye for. The former Ipswich Town trainee is technically Football League quality, there is no doubt. He is a confidence player though and may need some goals early on to settle into life in League Two.
And, Moxey's midfield partner Ryan Harley has the ability to take the division by storm too.
Strengths...
Exeter's home form could count as a massive strength as they embark on life in League Two next term.
The Grecians were defeated just once on their own soil this season and an anywhere similar record in the fourth tier next year will guarantee their survival and maybe even more.
St James' Park proved a difficult hunting ground for all but winners Burton Albion, and it will not be a nice place to visit for any
|
Weaknesses....
Tisdale likes to tinker with his formation frequently and although it has brought him success in the Blue Square Premier this time, it may not be so successful in the League.
The flexibility is an added beneift to a side, who are bigger hitters in any league but with the number one priority likely to be avoiding the drop, changing the style of play week-on-week may cause more harm than it brings results.
Crucial factor...
There is absolutely no doubt the Grecians do hold the quality in their squad to more than survive in League Two next season, but to be even further equipped for the challange, Tisdale will need to add stronger depth to his ranks.
A large proportion of his squad are inexperienced at league level, so two or three players with higher level know how, would be crucial to how they fare.
The Grecians are still to publish their summer retained list and as with any club, this is a vital factor.
It is safe to say City will need to strengthen particularly up front to compete in the division.
How will they fare in League Two...
On paper and judging by Exeter's quality against other sides who have been promoted in recent years, City have very little to fear in their return to the Football League.
The Grecians have been here before and other teams who have dropped out of the fourth tier and returned have actually benefited, especially when you look at Hereford United and Darlington as case studies.
Assuming Tisdale strengthens in the obvious ways, their decent home form should be enough to see them easily into the safe region of the division.
Less equipped teams have managed to keep their head above water in years gone by but in what is expected to be an extremely competitive league, promotions hopes may be a little too hopeful.
NCM prediction...
Exeter probably have enough about them to beat the drop next season. But the fans will in fact harbour further hopes higher up the league next term. The Grecians will be hoping to take a leaf or two out of Morecambe's book and flirt in the upper half of the League Two ladder. They will not quite match the Shrimps though. 14th to 17th is more likely.