Southend United v Exeter City Pre-Match Interviews with Exeter Fans

October 16, 2014 by Alec Hitchman

A surprising amount of Exeter City fans were keen to get involved this week, their opinions are below, questions asked by my good self!

(NOTE, some have used their usernames on the Exeter Forum instead of their real names)

John Michael

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Exeter City?

John Michael. 6 seasons now

2. What are your thoughts on Exeter's season so far?

Started with poor form but played well once new recruits and returning injured players got match fit. We play some nice football, not typical in this division, but can be blunt up front

3. Which player has impressed you most?

Matt Grimes has lovely technique, started season quietly but is now on form. Has a good shot from free kicks, keeps ball well, and links play.

4. Paul Tisdale is still in charge, he must be a favourite amongst the fans?

Naturally tends to want to set out defensive team, but changed approach recently which resulted in some great performances and 4 consequitive victories. Tend to confuse some fans with his complicated tactics and post match summaries. Good at bringing younger players through and motivating the team.

5. Will you be going to the game, if so, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?

Yes, but first visit. This will be a long trip for most.

6. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

Depends on which shape we adopt. Grimes as mentioned above, Wheeler so good in the air and Ribeiro marauding down the flank if played out wide.

7. Ex-Blues centre back Pat Baldwin is still with you. What are your views on him?

Good pro, unfortunately had serious injury so close to end of his playing career. Would still be doing a good job for the team.

8. Was it a blow to lose one of your longest serving players, goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, in the summer?

Our young keeper Pym has done well this season, great reflexes and kicks well. However, an experienced keeper is important and we have two under 20 year old keepers.

9. What are your views on Southend United?

Having a good season, great chance of playoffs.

10. How do you think the game will pan out and what do you think the score will be/What result would you personally settle for?

Tough fixture for us. If some of the returning injured players start to regain form we could surprise you. Just worry that we are a bit lightweight and blunt upfront. 1-1 would be fine .

Terry Hall

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Exeter City?

Terry Hall, since 1991

2. What are your thoughts on Exeter's season so far?

Disappointing start but hopefully we've turned a corner, both off the pitch and on it.

3. Which player has impressed you most?

Matt Oakley has done well to adapt to a completely new position at centre-back, couple of errors but generally he's looked very composed there.

4. Paul Tisdale is still in charge, he must be a favourite amongst the fans?

Not in all quarters but I am very much a fan of his approach and glad that he is still with us. Here's to the next 8 years!

5. Will you be going to the game, if so, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?

I live in Switzerland so sadly won't make it.

6. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

Graham Cummins, City's number 31 whose wages are paid (in part) by the fans 1931 fund. Proof on the pitch that Exeter fans really do their bit to support the club financially.

7. Ex-Blues centre back Pat Baldwin is still with you. What are your views on him?

Excellent beard. Always comes across very well in interviews and hope some of our talented young defenders can learn a thing or two from him. Seems like a very nice bloke too.

8. Was it a blow to lose one of your longest serving players, goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, in the summer?

I think so just because it really ramped up the pressure on Christy Pym to come in as number 1. Ideally I'd say if we'd have kept Artur then we could have seen this as a more transitional season and then perhaps Pym take over the no.1 shirt with less pressure. But saying that, Pym has really done well so far - hopefully for us, this weekend will be his first clean sheet of the season!

9. What are your views on Southend United?

I don't follow them closely, but they should probably be playing at a higher level - in my mind I'd say top-half League One.

10. How do you think the game will pan out and what do you think the score will be/What result would you personally settle for?

I think it'll be an odd goal either way that separates the teams, hopefully in our favour. I'd settle for a point away from home, after losing last weekend I think we need to take something from this game otherwise it puts a lot of pressure on the Wycombe game on 21 October.

Wemissmoxey

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Exeter City?

Wemissmoxey, approximately twenty two years.

2. What are your thoughts on Exeter's season so far?

Shocking start followed by an excellent run, acceptable overall however we could have done a lot better.

3. Which player has impressed you most?

Not too many candidates thus far however I'll be obvious and go for Pym, Grimes and JMT.

4. Paul Tisdale is still in charge, he must be a favourite amongst the fans?

I don't rate him, some still back him however however a growing number have had enough of our dull performances and his excuses / buck passing, he is protected by a ridiculous contract that means we can't get rid of him in the short term even if we wanted to.

5. Will you be going to the game, if so, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?

No.

6. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

David Wheeler if he gets a game, very quick and athletic, sadly we have not got the best of him since he joined us.

7. Ex-Blues centre back Pat Baldwin is still with you. What are your views on him?

Like him, good pro with a good attitude, limited as a footballer however he is a fairly reliable league two centre back.

8. Was it a blow to lose one of your longest serving players, goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, in the summer?

I like Artur and he did well for us, so yes however Pym has done a decent job in his place.

9. What are your views on Southend United?

Should be in league one.

10. How do you think the game will pan out and what do you think the score will be/What result would you personally settle for?

I think you are beatable however I'd take a point, I predict a one.

Al Devlin

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Exeter City?

Al Devlin - since Jan 1968

2. What are your thoughts on Exeter's season so far?

Turgid home form... with some great results away... no surprise the gates are dwindling.

3. Which player has impressed you most?

Pym in goal seems to have stepped up to the plate amazingly, having played only a handful of games at the end of last season when his predecessor made it known he would be leaving the club: Pym has been rewarded with an England under 20 place.

4. Paul Tisdale is still in charge, he must be a favourite amongst the fans?

If you had been on here (on the Exeter City fans forum) 6 weeks ago when we were bottom, you might just have escaped with your life with that suggestion.... he's got himself back from the brink, but still has a hardcore of support away from this forum.

5. Will you be going to the game, if so, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?

Nah... one dodgy curry in Sarfend was enough for a lifetime thanks!

6. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

Our travelling support make a lot of noise, and have good banter with their counterparts. Unfortunately our secret weapon went off course, and is now enjoying life in a thistle patch in the Forest of Dean.

7. Ex-Blues centre back Pat Baldwin is still with you. What are your views on him?

He doesnt seem to be no 1 choice when fit - I personally think he is better than the manager rates him.

8. Was it a blow to lose one of your longest serving players, goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, in the summer?

He was popular because he interacted well... but just another in a long line of popular players - Shame he is struggling to get a game at Yeovil.

9. What are your views on Southend United?

TBH don't know a lot about you... Barry Corr wasn't a proper enough chap to fit in here (at Exeter), but he has been with you for a while now, steadily adding to his collection of goals and red cards.

10. How do you think the game will pan out and what do you think the score will be/What result would you personally settle for?

22 blokes kicking a ball round, and the one that gets the most goals wins - can't predict to be honest - a draw would be ok... a win for us would be better.

Hants_red

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Exeter City?

Hants Red. 30+ years

2. What are your thoughts on Exeter's season so far?

There been some good times and some bad times. Managed to miss most of the poor games, i.e. the home ones. The boss needs to be more positive about how we play and set ourselves up.

3. Which player has impressed you most?

The 2 Matts. Oakley who seems to be quite settled in the back, but has made a couple of crucial mistakes. Grimes is growing in confidence all the time.

4. Paul Tisdale is still in charge, he must be a favourite amongst the fans?

He is, and can do no wrong. But the tide is turning against him. The petition asking him to go, made a few people take notice.

5. Will you be going to the game, if so, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?

3rd visit. An awful 0-0 a few seasons back, and last year's surprising 3-2 win

6. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

Scot Bennett. It might be playing in defence, he might be out on the wing, he might be in midfield, or he might be up front. If you do find, please return him to somewhere more useful.

7. Ex-Blues centre back Pat Baldwin is still with you. What are your views on him?

A good L2 defender. Feel really comfortable having him around. Shame he's out for most of the rest of this season.

8. Was it a blow to lose one of your longest serving players, goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, in the summer?

Nope.

9. What are your views on Southend United?

Seems to have taken a while to sort your finances out. Next step your new stadium, maybe then you can kick on from there.

10. How do you think the game will pan out and what do you think the score will be/What result would you personally settle for?

I'd be disappointed if we don't win, as I think we can. Corr to score and then be sent off.

Richard_portland

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Exeter City?

Richard , first game 1977 as a kid but properly from 1988.

2. What are your thoughts on Exeter's season so far?

League position average, cup form poor, home form poor apart from bury at home.

3. Which player has impressed you most?

Grimes.

4. Paul Tisdale is still in charge, he must be a favourite amongst the fans?

Opinion is split, I think those unhappy with him number more than most will admit. He needs to prove people wrong or walk away ASAP. I have to say I resent him as I don't enjoy going as much as I used to.

5. Will you be going to the game, if so, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?

Don't go to many away games these days, have visited Roots Hall once for a goalless draw I think around the turn of the century.

6. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

Craig Woodman

7. Ex-Blues centre back Pat Baldwin is still with you. What are your views on him?

A good solid performer, a big shame he is out for most/all of the season.

8. Was it a blow to lose one of your longest serving players, goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, in the summer?

Pym is doing very well. Hamon is untried so whether it is a blow will depend on how he does if needed. I do wish Krysiak was still at the club.

9. What are your views on Southend United?

Don't have much of an opinion. Guess you will finish somewhere in the top ten and pick up three points at SJP (St.James’ Park) later in the season.

10. How do you think the game will pan out and what do you think the score will be/What result would you personally settle for?

I think we will lose narrowly although a win isn't impossible. Would settle for a draw.

motorservices

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Exeter City?

Motorservices, 1983

2. What are your thoughts on Exeter's season so far?

Had a c**p start, but its starting to sort itself out.

3. Which player has impressed you most?

Matt Grimes and JMT.

4. Paul Tisdale is still in charge, he must be a favourite amongst the fans?

Haha, not really, but, having said my bit on him i do understand that we have no money, and therefore i doubt anyone else could do much better tbh.

5. Will you be going to the game, if so, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?

Nope, and no, ive never been, i imagine its on a par with canvey island tbh.

6. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

Prob easier to say which player they shouldnt, if we play the way we know we can then every player needs to, but defo Grimes, Wheeler and tommy nich.

7. Ex-Blues centre back Pat Baldwin is still with you. What are your views on him?

So-so

8. Was it a blow to lose one of your longest serving players, goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, in the summer?

At the time i truly thought we would be screwed, as it happens i think Pym is as good if not better than the great mr K

9. What are your views on Southend United?

Surprised there still in the basement

10. How do you think the game will pan out and what do you think the score will be/What result would you personally settle for?

If we play the squad in the correct way then we will win, but due to injuries id take a point.

Avening Posse

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Exeter City?

Avening Posse, 1979

2. What are your thoughts on Exeter's season so far?

Turning the corner, green shoots beginning to emerge, just hope it's not too late.

3. Which player has impressed you most?

Grimes stands out, consistently brilliant, far too talented for basement football.

4. Paul Tisdale is still in charge, he must be a favourite amongst the fans?

I personally like him, although he does test that at times, but overall the right man for the job, but there are probably as many that disagree as agree on that point currently !

5. Will you be going to the game, if so, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?

Been twice before, unfortunately cannot make it this weekend

6. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

Have to say Grimes.

7. Ex-Blues centre back Pat Baldwin is still with you. What are your views on him?

Always liked him, was out of favour a lot last year, manager seemed to prefer a very unsavoury individual who has thankfully moved to pastures new. Real shame in terms of the injury.

8. Was it a blow to lose one of your longest serving players, goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, in the summer?

I liked Artur and was concerned at the time, but Pym has been an outstanding so not concerned anymore

9. What are your views on Southend United?

No strong views either way

10. How do you think the game will pan out and what do you think the score will be/What result would you personally settle for?

I think we will win narrowly, we play well away against the stronger teams, suits how we set up, would definitely settle for a draw though