Season 25/26 | The Official Match Thread | Exeter City v Swansea City | Preseason Friendly | St James’ Park Exeter | 1pm (26.07.25)

[Swanjaxs]

Why bring Bobby Wales on with 2 minutes to go ffs

 

[Londonlisa2001]

Someone, I forget who, was questioning those of us who mentioned the gaping holes in our squad at the moment and people have been irritated at those of us who aren’t delighted with our transfer business so far.

Today’s line up and bench demonstrates the problem perfectly.

We have a lot of work to do in this transfer window if we are going to be solid in this division let alone challenging for anything.

The results make zero difference in pre season. The year we were promoted last time from memory was an appalling pre season in terms of results. But the players we have available are a genuine concern. A couple of knocks during what is always a long hard season in this league and today’s line up is what we are left with.

Can’t see the game today obviously so no idea what we are playing like. But it seems we can’t buy a goal so far this summer.

We are desperate for three players. I really hope those in charge realise that.

 

[Swansea93]

Whatever striker we have will struggle we just don’t get them involved enough or create enough for them

 

[ABSwan]

3rd disallowed goal

 

[Itchysphincter]

No often you get three disallowed, we’ve had games where we’ve had less attempts.

 

[SeaJack]

I can’t bear to watch…Oh wait.

 

[SeaJack]

My concern is what they intend to do during the January transfer window because, going on the last two we’ve had, if we desperately need some new recruits, there’ll be sod all done about it.

 

[sit_down_jack]

Just to add in some optimism, at least we had the ball in the back of the net three times

Agree with the fact we definitely need 3 or four more first team quality additions.

Let’s see how we are after the first few games and the window shuts, I think that’ll be the time to judge.

 

[Vetchonian]

Losing in preseason doesn’t matter in my opinion. The object isn’t to win those games

Doesnt help when you lose any game preseason games should be about bedding in new players developing partnerships.
How bad is Cabangos injury? He hasnt seemes to feature at all he needed time with Burgess.
Games like today show how the squad has weakened despite all the optimism of this window whilst he was not appreciated by many the loss of Naughton or his ilk is evident he could play anywhere across the back 4 but also had a good footballing brain.
What is also worrying is yet again an apparent lack of game plan.
I wonder if all those optomists who were confident of promotion will be betting their shirts now?

 

[3swan]

It's not all about the result
but here goes.
We should be able to see steady improvement game on game.
There was an interview stating that players had looked after themselves and came back fit so we could move straight on to phase 2.
We are woefully short of players, adding to the fact that the ones who have come in need to hit the ground running.
If what I have seen is away from what we saw towards the end of last season where now we are playing a larger percentage of long ball.
Injuries haven't helped but we seem to lack leaders on the pitch

 

[Vetchonian]

Whatever striker we have will struggle we just don’t get them involved enough or create enough for them

I thought Williams had gone?

 

[sit_down_jack]

Away from the result- regarding Sheehan, it was always a slight worry of mine that he would turn out to be another interim that wasn’t ready for the full job. I really hope this isn’t the case, I’ve said before we weren’t boring under him last year and it wasn’t one dimensional long ball. I was hoping and still am that he succeeds.

Hopefully we’re not wasting our time and it all works out, otherwise we’ll end up looking at someone like Kim Hellberg by Christmas who we could have already appointed back in May.

 

[Vetchonian]

It's not all about the result
but here goes.
We should be able to see steady improvement game on game.
There was an interview stating that players had looked after themselves and came back fit so we could move straight on to phase 2.
We are woefully short of players, adding to the fact that the ones who have come in need to hit the ground running.
If what I have seen is away from what we saw towards the end of last season where now we are playing a larger percentage of long ball.
Injuries haven't helped but we seem to lack leaders on the pitch

I fear Sheehan may favour that approach which is why he always talks about having height in the team,his persistence with Vipoptnik..and ignorance of Bianchinni...yet today he started with Cullen...so what do I know

 

[Itchysphincter]

Someone, I forget who, was questioning those of us who mentioned the gaping holes in our squad at the moment and people have been irritated at those of us who aren’t delighted with our transfer business so far.

Today’s line up and bench demonstrates the problem perfectly.

We have a lot of work to do in this transfer window if we are going to be solid in this division let alone challenging for anything.

The results make zero difference in pre season. The year we were promoted last time from memory was an appalling pre season in terms of results. But the players we have available are a genuine concern. A couple of knocks during what is always a long hard season in this league and today’s line up is what we are left with.

Can’t see the game today obviously so no idea what we are playing like. But it seems we can’t buy a goal so far this summer.

We are desperate for three players. I really hope those in charge realise that.

I tend to agree In principal. Our problem has not been that we have a small squad but that we don’t have enough quality cover. We’ve had too many players in reality, need to thin it out and add four or five who will challenge to play regularly.

 

[Swanjaxs]

watching the Rangers Boro game and they do look sharp. Going to have to be proper up for it if we are to get anything off them in 2 weeks time

Middlesbrough look well drilled, as for Rangers, put some hard earned on Hibs finishing behind Celtic this season