Exeter City defy pre-season predictions and show their quality

The bookies and pundits may have had Exeter City set to finish near the bottom of the League One table. But on the opening day, the Grecians showed how wrong they could be.

Most pundits have Exeter set to finish just outside the League One relegation zone. Rotherham United, relegated from the Championship last season, meanwhile were forecast to be in contention for an immediate return to the second tier.

But at St James Park on Saturday the roles looked reversed. It was Gary Caldwell’s men who looked more likely to be pushing for promotion, while the Millers looked like a very average side for large parts.

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It may only be the opening day and there is a long way to go, but there were very positive signs for City fans for the upcoming season. The new signings all settled in and impressed, the Grecians controlled the game for large parts, and fully deserved to take the three points.

Steve Evans’ men did miss plenty of chances that on another day you would have expected the likes of Jonson Clarke-Harris to have taken. Then again, City created plenty of chances of their own and could and perhaps should have been ahead before Caleb Watts just moments after he came off the bench bundled home from close range after a brilliant Johnly Yfeko cross.

“We are not moved by punditry as we know the quality we have,” matchwinner Watts said. “We were the better team and they are meant to be up there, so we are not worried about what pundits say. We know our objectives and they are much more than that.

“I am really pleased with it. It was such a good performance and to come on and cap it off, a perfect start to the season. We are buzzing but we are not getting carried away. It is just one game, there are 45 more in the league, and to be where we want to be, we have to put in performances better than that. We are excited, but realistic as well.”

The Australian has endured an injury-ravaged time with the Grecians since joining 12 months ago. Having scored on his debut last September against Cheltenham Town, he made only 11 appearances in total, four of them from the start, and struggled to make an impact. But having been offered a new deal, Watts has impressed in pre-season, and when he came off the bench, he took his chance and chested in a sublime cross from man-of-the-match Yfeko.

“I didn't know it was Caleb who got the goal but he's done that before,” manager Gary Caldwell said. “I'm delighted for him as he's had setbacks with injuries but he delivers. He trains incredibly well every day and he gets his reward so I am delighted for him to get the goal after a difficult time for him so I am really happy for him and we have been rewarded with the big moment.

"The buzz was back at the stadium and to see the stadium bouncing is special. It's great the players have felt that early and have built confidence, but it is feet back on the ground. It is only one game, a good start means nothing, and we have to keep working hard but if we do, we can have a hugely successful season.”

Exeter City are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Walsall in the first round of the EFL Cup. The Grecians are next in League One action on Saturday when they are away to Northampton Town. On targets for the season, Caldwell simply said: “Win the next game.”