Football Season Guide

After so many near misses in recent years, Matt Taylor finally guided Exeter City to a deserved promotion to League One last season. Taylor followed in the footsteps of Paul Tisdale in the summer of 2018 and has proved to be a steady and reliable hand at the tiller. Promotion was four years in the making; including two play-off final defeats at Wembley and the departures of several key players; most notably Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins. Taylor’s achievement is all the more remarkable given the loss of his best players each summer and this promotion came off the back of the departures of key wingers Joel Randall and Randell Williams, who incidentally endured disappointing campaigns at their new clubs. The Grecians success was built on a strong spine; goalkeeper Cameron Dawson was outstanding in his season-long loan from Sheffield Wednesday; Archie Collins anchored the midfield allowing Matt Jay and Timothee Dieng to push forward and supply goals and assists. Taylor liked to switch between a back three and back four and often played with just one up front. It will be a coming-of-age season for promising young centre-backs Alex Hartridge and Cheick Diabate. So far there have been no notable departures but holding on to wing-back Josh Key will be a challenge. At the time of writing Taylor has yet to make a single signing this summer and his priority will be a goalkeeper to replace Dawson. He will also be looking to add to his attack and take some of the pressure off Sam Nombe.