Exeter City came oh so close to making it three wins from three against Swindon Town on Saturday, but were denied at the death with the Robins notching an 88th minute equaliser.
Matt Jay had given City a 72nd minute lead only for debutant Eoin Doyle to snatch a deserved point for the Robins on a day that City struggled in attack. We take a look at the positives and negatives from Saturday’s draw.
Getting the best out of Ajose
Up front, Ryan Bowman has been playing well and works hard, but it is a different story for new signing Nicky Ajose, who is struggling at present and is yet to get off the mark for his new team.
Ajose was signed to score goals, but the worry is that the Grecians aren’t creating chances for a man who, as recently as 2015/16, smashed 25 goals in League One for Swindon.
The following season saw the 27-year-old notch 12, but the last two seasons has seen Ajose score five in each, in which he was predominantly used as a substitute for the clubs he represented.
Ajose was very much the marquee signing of the summer at St James Park, so much is expected of a man that started his career at Manchester United.
In his defence, his match sharpness may not be up to speed. After all, he has spent two seasons as a bit-part player, rather than starting games and it is inevitable he will lose his sharpness.
Good players don’t become bad ones overnight and with more games, hopefully Ajose’s sharpness will improve, the goals start to flow and everyone sees why Matt Taylor was so keen to bring him to St James Park.
The problem the City boss has is that he needs results as well and City aren't creating many chances in general, let alone for Ajose. The fact they have not scored in the first half yet this season speaks volumes.
The harsh truth is that City have looked better when Ajose has been replaced by Lee Martin, but there is no doubt that Ajose is a man that can be a success. Hopefully that first goal comes sooner rather than later and give him the confidence boost that he needs.
Midfield maestro
There is little doubt that Nicky Law is such an important player for Exeter City but, as was often the case last season, there are calls for him to be given a more important role in the team.
Law does like to drift infield from his role on the left of midfield, where many feel he is wasted for the Grecians. The problem when he does drift in from that position is that things get very narrow, especially as the Grecians didn’t have a left-back keen on venturing forward and offering an attacking outlet, or width to the team against Swindon.
Craig Woodman has been a brilliant servant to City over the years, but at 36 (he turns 37 in December) ‘Woody’ can’t be expected to charge up and down that flank like he perhaps would have been able to in his younger years.
Taylor has stated many times before that, as captain, he wants Jake Taylor playing centrally and with Archie Collins as well, Law is the one that is missing out, to an extent, in order to accommodate his two team-mates.
If City persist with a 4-4-2 system, then that is perhaps something that will continue to be an issue, although there is also the argument that with Law given that roving role, it does allow him to be a goal threat for the Grecians.
Defensively sound
It has been some time since the Grecians have looked as sound defensively as they have so far this season – that despite manager Matt Taylor naming a different back four in each of the three league games so far!
Against Macclesfield, he started with a back four of Sweeney, Parkes, Aaron Martin and Dean Moxey. Martin was dropped for the clash with Stevenage, which saw Moxey go to centre back and Craig Woodman at left-back and in the wake of Parkes’ suspension, Martin returned to partner Moxey against Swindon.
Only one goal has been conceded so far and there should also be a mention for goalkeeper Lewis Ward as well, who has made a superb start to life as a Grecian.
Ward has made saves when he has needed to and his height gives him a real presence in the penalty box when City are defending corners and set pieces.
The former Reading man looks a really shrewd signing by manager Matt Taylor and is justifying his place with Jonny Maxted also brought in over the summer to provide competition to the impressive 22-year-old.
That sound defensive unit has been the backbone to City’s decent start to the season so far and underlines that the Grecians will be no pushovers this campaign.
Response from Tuesday
There is no denying that the Grecians were below par at Coventry City on Tuesday, where they bowed out of the Carabao Cup at the first round stage.
Yes, they were playing a team from a higher division and yes, Matt Taylor made eight changes against a Sky Blues side that made only three from their ‘league’ team that had started the previous game. But too many players underperformed.
Taylor raised the concern after a 2-2 draw at Taunton in pre-season where again, several players were below par. His post-match comments echoed those same sentiments, so it was important that those called upon against Swindon rose to the challenge.
Aaron Martin came in at centre half and was pretty solid. He also made an incredible goal line clearance with the score at 0-0, but it was the performances of Lee Martin and Matt Jay that really impressed.
Jay scored and was a real livewire, while Martin again impressed. He can feel unlucky not to be in the team right now as he is one player – along with Jack Sparkes - that has performed fairly well for the ‘second string.’
However, City need more, especially in attack where Alex Fisher has not really shown his true colours as yet and is yet to feature in the league for City.
As Taylor said after Swindon: “It is the squad that will get you success.” and those squad players have to be fit, ready and on form when called upon.
