BFTG - Exeter

[CountryRoyal]

Finally back home - all the comments made so far paint a fair picture of the day.

However, I'm surprised no one mentioned our one dimensional approach to corner and free kicks. Ball to the back post to Dean to head back across - it seemed very much like the tactic we use when Carroll plays and there was. no attempt to vary it. With very little height in the team it would've been nice to see some different ideas. Hopefully that will develop going forwards.

And on to the next one.

Do you not think that the corner routine was constantly causing problems for Exeter? Probably why we kept doing it?

No, I don't, the back post header was generally won, however it never seemed to get back not the right areas. I'm not saying it's something we shouldn't do - it clearly has a place - however mixing it up may have made it less easy for them to deal with. Just an opinion...

Yeah I’m not a massive fan of our floaty corners. As with with everything, mixing it up is best. I’d rather see fast in swingers. I appreciate it depends on the foot but can’t believe they’re more doable from any professional footballer, clearly not the case though otherwise everyone would be a dead ball specialist… it is just laziness though, it’s just practise. Direct free kicks especially.

[Snowflake Royal]

And if Micky G says 'Listen' one more time at the start of his sentences.....some of us are listening Mick. And you've been watching and 'listening' to too many Keano interviews mate.

It's just a verbal quirk. Lots of people have them.

[Snowflake Royal]

Finally back home - all the comments made so far paint a fair picture of the day.

However, I'm surprised no one mentioned our one dimensional approach to corner and free kicks. Ball to the back post to Dean to head back across - it seemed very much like the tactic we use when Carroll plays and there was. no attempt to vary it. With very little height in the team it would've been nice to see some different ideas. Hopefully that will develop going forwards.

And on to the next one.

Do you not think that the corner routine was constantly causing problems for Exeter? Probably why we kept doing it?

No, I don't, the back post header was generally won, however it never seemed to get back not the right areas. I'm not saying it's something we shouldn't do - it clearly has a place - however mixing it up may have made it less easy for them to deal with. Just an opinion...

We're not even a small team. Ehib and Dean are very big. Savage, Abbey, Mbengue, Knibbs and Azeez are all a good height.

I agree we should vary it more. Currently the main variation seems to be in quality of delivery.

[Clyde1998]

It’s always disappointing losing to an injury time winner but no real complaints. They edged it overall but a draw wouldn’t have been unfair. First half was abysmal, much improved in second but we’re still shotshy and wasteful (femi).

These results and performances are going to happen with a young team, although a bit older today, it is what it is.

My first trip to Exeter, really friendly bunch of supporters and staff. Nice club. Thought their whole terraced stand behind the goal was good when they scored.

Traffic down was a bitch.

I was the one standing stock still stoney faced.


I'm sorry to say despite good numbers the away support was dreadful. Mustered barely a peep other when we scored.

Atmosphere from the seats was non-existent (as expected) but thought the terrace was very quiet and I was a lot closer to it!

Quite liked the stadium tbh, like how they just thought oxf*rd it we don’t need capacity we’ll just have half a stand and leave the trees.

Were the little covered boxes at the front left of the big bank, hospitality?

I think those were the disabled areas.

The atmosphere was a little disappointing, but I do wonder if the acoustics of the ground was a factor in that. You couldn't really hear the other end of the ground that loudly - even though it looked like they were making a decent amount of noise at times.

[Royal_jimmy]

Another embarrassing defeat for us. Have to get used to it with a youthful inexperienced side though.

[Royal_jimmy]

Thought that was one of the most enjoyable games I had watched in a long time - end to end attacking football (be it of very varied quality) although the last few minutes left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand gutted RFC did not get a point but couldn’t help feeling pleased for the Exeter fans around me that were so delighted. It clearly meant so much to them to take a “big scalp” like Reading. It was a great game compared with many of the Championship bore fests we have endured in recent seasons.

The Exeter fan next to me said that probably every player in their team would rather be playing for RFC but what they lacked in quality they made up for with clever recruitment and a great team ethic. In fact Exeter represent almost all that is good with football. A family club owned by the supporters trust and well run financially and probably either at their level or punching above it a bit. I could even see them making the Championship next season - although I very much doubt they could survive at that level.

Sadly Reading FC pretty much represent much of what is bad about football but we do seem to be turning the corner and provided there are no more significant point deductions, I think we have to see this as a rebuilding year as we should finish comfortably above the relegation zone. There was much about our performance to be positive about yesterday. We have a great bunch of young players coming through and I hope we persist with them and only try and plug any obvious gaps that occur. I will be very happy with a mid table finish this season as there is no way that this squad is ready for the Championship yet, but provided the owner provides enough to fund the club and leaves Selles (would not have been my choice but we have to stick with him now) Bowen et al to get on with it, I could see us storming the league next season and the young players being good enough to hold their own in the Championship in 2025/26.

And if we manage to beat Cambridge next 3 wins and 3 defeats would be a reasonable start to the season.

Not much is enjoyable about losing, especially to Exeter City (no disrespect to them). It was a good game yes, but I don't think many enjoyed the outcome. Albeit it was a cracking goal to win it for them! Exeter fans are a nice bunch. I do find that in the lower leagues that fans are a bit friendlier generally. I've seen lots of lower league games and we'll have some more fun away trips.

[Snowflake Royal]

I was the one standing stock still stoney faced.


I'm sorry to say despite good numbers the away support was dreadful. Mustered barely a peep other when we scored.

Atmosphere from the seats was non-existent (as expected) but thought the terrace was very quiet and I was a lot closer to it!

Quite liked the stadium tbh, like how they just thought oxf*rd it we don’t need capacity we’ll just have half a stand and leave the trees.

Were the little covered boxes at the front left of the big bank, hospitality?

I think those were the disabled areas.

The atmosphere was a little disappointing, but I do wonder if the acoustics of the ground was a factor in that. You couldn't really hear the other end of the ground that loudly - even though it looked like they were making a decent amount of noise at times.

Big Bank never stopped, died down on and off but always going. Very impressed with the atmosphere.

Looked like zero activity at the Reading End.

[CountryRoyal]

Another embarrassing defeat for us. Have to get used to it with a youthful inexperienced side though.

I know I shouldn’t bother but how is it embarrassing? A narrow away loss for mostly kids against an established league one side.

[CountryRoyal]

Atmosphere from the seats was non-existent (as expected) but thought the terrace was very quiet and I was a lot closer to it!

Quite liked the stadium tbh, like how they just thought oxf*rd it we don’t need capacity we’ll just have half a stand and leave the trees.

Were the little covered boxes at the front left of the big bank, hospitality?

I think those were the disabled areas.

The atmosphere was a little disappointing, but I do wonder if the acoustics of the ground was a factor in that. You couldn't really hear the other end of the ground that loudly - even though it looked like they were making a decent amount of noise at times.

Big Bank never stopped, died down on and off but always going. Very impressed with the atmosphere.

Looked like zero activity at the Reading End.

Echo this about acoustics. Asides from goals the big bank sounded quiet imho.

Agree Reading fans very quiet.

[retro royal]

Agree with most what's been said, young team will learn from our mistakes and will improve through the season, our set pieces are dog shit though.

[St Pauli]

Atmosphere from the seats was non-existent (as expected) but thought the terrace was very quiet and I was a lot closer to it!

Quite liked the stadium tbh, like how they just thought oxf*rd it we don’t need capacity we’ll just have half a stand and leave the trees.

Were the little covered boxes at the front left of the big bank, hospitality?

I think those were the disabled areas.

The atmosphere was a little disappointing, but I do wonder if the acoustics of the ground was a factor in that. You couldn't really hear the other end of the ground that loudly - even though it looked like they were making a decent amount of noise at times.

Big Bank never stopped, died down on and off but always going. Very impressed with the atmosphere.

Looked like zero activity at the Reading End.

Used to be a regular on the big bank when they were in the conference when I lived next to St James’ Park when I was a stoodent.

I see you were also a student at Exeter Ian.

Could you answer me the following questions?

1. Were you in halls in the first year? If so, what halls?
2. What did you study?
3. Where did you live in your second and third years?
4. What was your favourite pub?
5. Did you ever do the Topsham 10?
6. Have you got any great stories about BANTER from the Ram, the Lemmy, Timepiece, Volts, Warehouse or Arena?

[Snowflake Royal]

I think those were the disabled areas.

The atmosphere was a little disappointing, but I do wonder if the acoustics of the ground was a factor in that. You couldn't really hear the other end of the ground that loudly - even though it looked like they were making a decent amount of noise at times.

Big Bank never stopped, died down on and off but always going. Very impressed with the atmosphere.

Looked like zero activity at the Reading End.

Used to be a regular on the big bank when they were in the conference when I lived next to St James’ Park when I was a stoodent.

I see you were also a student at Exeter Ian.

Could you answer me the following questions?

1. Were you in halls in the first year? If so, what halls?
2. What did you study?
3. Where did you live in your second and third years?
4. What was your favourite pub?
5. Did you ever do the Topsham 10?
6. Have you got any great stories about BANTER from the Ram, the Lemmy, Timepiece, Volts, Warehouse or Arena?

Duryard - Mobley
Drama
St Davids, Pinhoe after graduating
Jolly Porter
Years after graduating for a stag do, it didn't really exist anymore though
No, but I went to them all.

[St Pauli]

True story- GWL once drunkenly broke into St James’ Park at night and stole a load of Exeter merch and possibly a bit of memorabilia and silverware. He was caught by the police but let off with a caution.

[St Pauli]

Big Bank never stopped, died down on and off but always going. Very impressed with the atmosphere.

Looked like zero activity at the Reading End.

Used to be a regular on the big bank when they were in the conference when I lived next to St James’ Park when I was a stoodent.

I see you were also a student at Exeter Ian.

Could you answer me the following questions?

1. Were you in halls in the first year? If so, what halls?
2. What did you study?
3. Where did you live in your second and third years?
4. What was your favourite pub?
5. Did you ever do the Topsham 10?
6. Have you got any great stories about BANTER from the Ram, the Lemmy, Timepiece, Volts, Warehouse or Arena?

Duryard - Mobley
Drama
St Davids, Pinhoe after graduating
Jolly Porter
Years after graduating for a stag do, it didn't really exist anymore though
No, but I went to them all.

Lopes Hall on the East Side. Duryard had a reputation for lethal windows that people fell out of and died.
History for me.
Pennsylvania Road, then Hamburg for a year abroad, then a house right next to St James park
Brook Green tavern, now called the St Anne’s Well near the football ground.
Have vague recollections of the Porter. Was it near a raised road bridge viaduct thing? Think I went for drinks there with a former Mrs sp before shagging her for the first time.

[Snowflake Royal]

Used to be a regular on the big bank when they were in the conference when I lived next to St James’ Park when I was a stoodent.

I see you were also a student at Exeter Ian.

Could you answer me the following questions?

1. Were you in halls in the first year? If so, what halls?
2. What did you study?
3. Where did you live in your second and third years?
4. What was your favourite pub?
5. Did you ever do the Topsham 10?
6. Have you got any great stories about BANTER from the Ram, the Lemmy, Timepiece, Volts, Warehouse or Arena?

Duryard - Mobley
Drama
St Davids, Pinhoe after graduating
Jolly Porter
Years after graduating for a stag do, it didn't really exist anymore though
No, but I went to them all.

Lopes Hall on the East Side. Duryard had a reputation for lethal windows that people fell out of and died.
History for me.
Pennsylvania Road, then Hamburg for a year abroad, then a house right next to St James park
Brook Green tavern, now called the St Anne’s Well near the football ground.
Have vague recollections of the Porter. Was it near a raised road bridge viaduct thing? Think I went for drinks there with a former Mrs sp before shagging her for the first time.

Opposite St David's station just below the Impy back wall. Spent a fair bit of time in Henry's Bar too. Changed hands after I left and became a biker bar, now a ghurka nepalese restaurant.

Heard nothing about the windows but one of the blocks was supposedly condemned from asbestos but still in full use.

Lopes was one of the newer nicer ones when I was there. 99-02.

[Millsy]

How do you graduate for a stag do?

Game was alright. Not putting it on him but it seems the gaem changed in Exeter's favour when TMac came on. Overall young lads gave it a bash. We move on.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

And if Micky G says 'Listen' one more time at the start of his sentences.....some of us are listening Mick. And you've been watching and 'listening' to too many Keano interviews mate.

Absolutely cannot stand that. The passive-aggressive "listen" at the start of each sentence. If you were saying something worth listening to, you wouldn't need to prefix it with that - you uttercnut.

[paultheroyal]

Dellor and his cringe approach towards Carroll grinding my gears. Moaned about not playing youth couple of games back, and now moaning Carroll not on pitch and banished from squad, but its the sarcastic reporting of it utter cringe.

[NathStPaul]

Say cringe again, it is really working for you.

[tidus_mi2]

And if Micky G says 'Listen' one more time at the start of his sentences.....some of us are listening Mick. And you've been watching and 'listening' to too many Keano interviews mate.

Absolutely cannot stand that. The passive-aggressive "listen" at the start of each sentence. If you were saying something worth listening to, you wouldn't need to prefix it with that - you uttercnut.

Bit harsh, I do agree it comes off aggressive but it's clearly a verbal tic as previously mentioned. Especially to say about a guy who has been associated with the club for 34 years.