Exeter City’s Surprising Rise in League One
Exeter City – Starting on the Front Foot
An underdog starting the season on fire. That’s what we like to see. Exeter isn’t exactly a side fancied to go up from League One this season and it is still very early into the season. But the start they’ve made is encouraging.
Well begun is half done as they say and the Grecians are certainly doing the first part right. The less-fancied side has become a side that no one wants to face right now.
So, what exactly are the Grecians doing right in the early part of the season for such a flying start out of the blocks? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons, shall we?
Getting the Recruitment Right: The Building Blocks of Success
Losing Sam Nombe and Archie Collins was challenging for the League One side. Losing two influential players in a single window and one of them on a free transfer should hurt.
Exeter to their credit though have got their recruitment right. They replaced the influential Collins with the well-traveled and greatly experienced Tom Carroll. The addition of Reece Cole, Aitchison, and Admiral Muskwe has helped the Grecians to get some firepower and depth in the attacking department.
Meanwhile, their defense has been largely consistent. Exeter is not leaking goals thanks to their back three of Aimson, Hartridge, and Sweeney.
Exeter addressed the issues that were a major concern in the off-season and as history tells us, if you get your recruitment right then there is a good chance you’ll end up in the higher echelons of the division.
Gary Caldwell’s Tactical Mastery: The Formation Equation
Gary Caldwell was appointed as the head coach of Exeter last year and they had a very mixed 2022/23 season. Exeter were highly inconsistent. But going forward they knew what formation and shape they were expected to play in.
Caldwell deploys a 3-5-2 formation that turns into a 5-3-2 formation when defending and then into a 3-4-1-2 formation when attacking. It is a very fluid system. With no more uncertainty around his star players now, Caldwell has managed to gel the team quickly and efficiently.
Exeter’s wingbacks are key and they provide the width and creativity through wide areas and then there is Tom Carroll whose playmaking skills are fruitful for guys like Aitchison and Cole.
What also helps is the consistency of the back three. Aimson, Hartridge, and Sweeney have developed a good chemistry at the back.
A Season Off to a Good Start: Stats Don’t Lie
It’s not a secret that the Grecians have made a fine start to the season despite a narrow 2-1 loss to Leyton Orient a couple of days back but that was more to do with unavailability of players through injuries and players going away on international duty.
This shouldn’t curtail the fact that Exeter have actually made quite a good start with them being 3rd in League One currently. They were topping the charts but for the recent defeat, they have largely been spearheading the league with their consistent form.
Exeter City is also killing it in the domestic cup competition thus far. Exeter have made it through to the third round of the EFL Cup, more famously known as the Carabao Cup. Their prize for such a good start? A date with a Premier League side! The Grecians are drawn against Luton Town at home in round three of the Carabao Cup.
With Luton’s difficult start to their Premier League campaign, you wouldn’t put it past Exeter City to cause an upset in the next round!
The Power of Consistency: What Sets Exeter Apart
We have already touched upon the consistency part. It is one of the key reasons for Exeter’s fast start to their campaign. Exeter has found consistency early in the season.
The Grecians have a set formation and a set pattern of play, both of which were developed last year under Caldwell and this year they seem to have perfected it. Also, they have horses for courses now.
Exeter rarely deviated from their plans and they stuck to their manager’s ideas for most parts of the season. That consistency has helped them get some tremendous results early in the campaign including a terrific win over a recently relegated Championship side Reading.
Tom Carroll has been a fine addition and his inclusion in the team has led to such consistency as well. He is pulling the strings from the centre of the park as well as organising the side. There is so much to like about this Exeter side right now and if they can maintain this consistency then who knows, they might actually be a dark horse for a play-off spot.
Not bad for a side that was less fancied at the start of the season.
Fan Support
It’s not a secret that Exeter City has always had vociferous support. That predates their ownership of the club. They are one of the best supported teams in the EFL regardless of their position in the league.
Exeter’s incredible and loyal fanbase has only added to their brilliant start to the campaign. If one has followed English Football for long enough then they would know that if a team has made a good start to a campaign and if they have a loud following then chances are high that – that combination might just push the side over the line.
Exeter City do not have to worry about their fans. Their passion and support will not die even if their side falters a bit but if Exeter can continue their good form for a longer duration then we might see the Grecians in the Championship.
Time Will Tell: The Future of Exeter’s Championship Ambitions
Exeter City have never played in the Championship. Ever. They are one of the few sides in the EFL who have never seen the leagues above League One.
Exeter City is one of the sides to have played the most number of seasons in League One without ever getting promoted. If this isn’t a reason enough to get promoted then we don’t know what is.
Also, with the start the Grecians have made to their campaign currently, there has to be enough fire and desire to finally break the duck and get promoted to the Championship.
Time will tell if Exeter can make good on the start they’ve made so far. It’s just about believing.
