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Exeter City welcome relegation strugglers Walsall to St James Park aiming to extend their unbeaten streak to eight matches.
The Grecians started the season slowly taking just two points from a possible nine, but have since turned a corner and now sit in sixth, just two points from the automatic promotion places.
Exeter’s current unbeaten streak can be heavily attributed to the defence as the Devon-based outfit has one of the best backlines in the league having only conceded six goals so far this term.
Contrastingly, the Saddlers sit in a worrying 22nd position following two consecutive defeats and having avoided relegation by three points last season, look set for another campaign trying to fend off the fear of dropping out of the Football League.
However, despite the disparity in league positions, both meetings between the two sides last season ended in a goalless draw and Walsall will be hoping that they can make life difficult for Exeter once more this weekend.
Battle of the Taylors
Former Premier League star and current Walsall boss Matthew Taylor will have the difficult task of lifting the Saddlers’ spirits as the decisive goals in both of their most recent fixtures have come in the final five minutes of the match.
Both goals in the most recent defeat to Bristol Rovers came from set-pieces and altogether the Saddlers have conceded eight of their 13 goals from dead-ball scenarios, much to the frustration of their manager.
“The disappointing thing last week was that we didn’t lose the game because the opposition have cut us open, we’ve lost a game of football because we haven’t done our job at set plays so it’s not good enough in that aspect and it’s inexcusable to be perfectly frank.
“We need to defend better at set plays and it’s unacceptable to concede the goals that we have in the way we have this season.”
The Saddlers have won just two matches this season, yet despite their position, Taylor remains positive about his side’s chances of avoiding the drop.
“I still have full belief in this group of players, that hasn’t faltered or wavered in any way, shape or form for me.”
“When you’re in a position you don’t want to be in, how do you get out of it? The only way is hard work. There is no secret to it whatsoever. That’s what we’ll be doing now.”
On the other hand, his name counterpart and Exeter manager Matthew Taylor is faced with the task of keeping his players level-headed and focused having missed out on a play-off spot last season by just three points.
Following a run to the third round of the FA Cup last season and Covid-related fixture congestion, the Grecians have been spared a rare full week of preparation ahead of the fixture against Walsall.
Taylor hoped that his side can use the extra preparation and recovery time to their advantage.
“Sometimes you want games for the ones who need the minutes, but we are going through a good period where Saturday to Saturday allows us to implement some more of our ideas in relation to how to set the team up and get some good training time.
“We have time to try different preparation methods and have used it to bring the group together, get players up to fitness, and get the principles into the group.
“Draws have been a part of our season so far and we want to try and be more attacking and be in a position to hopefully change those draws into wins over the course of the season.”
“I hope it’s not going to end in a goalless draw again, we hope to create chances and we want to hurt the opposition by implementing our style of play, but with players returning from injury and suspension we expect Walsall to be stronger this time around as well.”
Team News
The Exeter manager confirmed the hosts will be without midfielder Kyle Taylor who has tested positive for Covid-19 while also admitting another player had begun to show symptoms of the virus without revealing their identity.
Archie Collins is expected to take the place of Taylor in the centre of the midfield after making a return from a knee injury against Hartlepool United.
Meanwhile, the Saddlers will gladly welcome back their captain Joss Labadie who has served his three-match suspension for a red card against Bradford City.
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