Club News
Knowing the Drill
1st April 2016
DEREK Adams and half of his Pilgrims squad head to St James Park this Saturday for their first taste of a Sky Bet League 2 game in Devon’s county town
...but there is no shortage of derby experience in the Argyle ranks.
Players and staff on duty at Exeter have taken part in little local spats in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and the Scottish Highlands, as well as Devon.
“When the atmosphere is what it’s like – it’s a full-house and both sets of fans want to win the game – they are the enjoyable games,” said Derek.
“It’s the same as any other derby; both sets of fans don’t like each other and both teams want to win the game. Derby matches are like that all over the world and both teams want to get one over each other.
“When you go into a derby match, it is important that you beat your rivals. We are no different. We enjoyed victory over them here this season and we know what it is to win against them. We look forward to going there this Saturday.
“There’s a big rivalry between the two teams and it’s important you win the game for the fans. Both teams will be very competitive. We’ve got a very good away record and that’s something we’re proud of; we will need to have that level of performance to go and win on Saturday.
“It’s easier said, than done, but when you get to the ground, and both sets of supporters are in there and the atmosphere is electric, both teams will want to go and put on a good show and want to win the match.
“We know that we won there last year; we’ve won here this season in the cup. We’ve played them twice this season; we know what their strengths and weaknesses are. Likewise them with us.”
Apart from Ryan Brunt’s long-term cruciate injury – which was operated upon this week – Argyle’s only injury concern is defender Oscar Threlkeld, who missed Monday’s 3-2 win over York with a slight groin strain.
Threlkeld is one of seven loan players at Home Park, of which only a handful can be named in the match-day squad. Another is former Exeter favourite Daniel Nardiello.
“We can only play five loan players and it is very difficult, when we have got seven, to fit everybody in,” said Derek. “All the loan players are in the same situation; when you come on loan, it becomes difficult when a club has got over the allowed number to play in the team.
“Daniel is in the same situation as Oscar Threlkeld, [Craig] Tanner, the lot of them – everyone understands that.”
DEREK Adams and half of his Pilgrims squad head to St James Park this Saturday for their first taste of a Sky Bet League game in Devon’s county town, but there is no shortage of derby experience in the Argyle ranks.
Players and staff on duty at Exeter have taken part in little local spats in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and the Scottish Highlands, as well as Devon.
“When the atmosphere is what it’s like – it’s a full-house and both sets of fans want to win the game – they are the enjoyable games,” said Derek.
“It’s the same as any other derby; both sets of fans don’t like each other and both teams want to win the game. Derby matches are like that all over the world and both teams want to get one over each other.
“When you go into a derby match, it is important that you beat your rivals. We are no different. We enjoyed victory over them here this season and we know what it is to win against them. We look forward to going there this Saturday.
“There’s a big rivalry between the two teams and it’s important you win the game for the fans. Both teams will be very competitive. We’ve got a very good away record and that’s something we’re proud of; we will need to have that level of performance to go and win on Saturday.
“It’s easier said, than done, but when you get to the ground, and both sets of supporters are in there and the atmosphere is electric, both teams will want to go and put on a good show and want to win the match.
“We know that we won there last year; we’ve won here this season in the cup. We’ve played them twice this season; we know what their strengths and weaknesses are. Likewise them with us.”
Apart from Ryan Brunt’s long-term cruciate injury – which was operated upon this week – Argyle’s only injury concern is defender Oscar Threlkeld, who missed Monday’s 3-2 win over York with a slight groin strain.
Threlkeld is one of seven loan players at Home Park, of which only a handful can be named in the match-day squad. Another is former Exeter favourite Daniel Nardiello.
“We can only play five loan players and it is very difficult, when we have got seven, to fit everybody in,” said Derek. “All the loan players are in the same situation; when you come on loan, it becomes difficult when a club has got over the allowed number to play in the team.
“Daniel is in the same situation as Oscar Threlkeld, [Craig] Tanner, the lot of them – everyone understands that.”