Five things Exeter City must do to finish 2022-23 in top-six
Exeter City have started life back in League One pretty well, winning two, drawing two and losing two of their opening six games.
They handed Cheltenham a 7-0 drubbing in the first round of the League Cup before getting eliminated by Gillingham in the second round on penalties following a goalless game.
The Grecians will be eager to impress in the new division after finally returning following a 10-year wait. The Devon-based club with vegas online casino predictions head into their next outing as odds-on favourite against MK Dons who goes as a clear outsider in the game and there aren’t many doubts that Exeter City will be earning all three points.
It is too early to predict exactly how Matt Taylor's side will fare in the new league, but they will have high hopes, and a place in the top-six will be on their minds - even if they fail to admit it.
While automatic promotion to the Championship could be too much for them to ask for, a place in the playoffs zone is not out of reach if things go well.
For that to happen, here are five things Exeter must get done.
They need to score more
The Devon outfit ended last season with 65 league goals, and while it was a solid return and enough to get them into second position, it was the second lowest of the sides that finished the campaign in the top-eight.
This season, they have managed to score nine goals in six games, and while that is a decent return, they have drawn blanks in their last two games.
Exeter need to be doing better and get more clinical if they want to push for the play-offs places, and the trio of Sam Nombe, Tim Dieng and Jevani Brown simply have to step up their game and become more consistent in front of goal going forward.
Add one or two quality players
The St. James Park outfit have signed goalkeeper Jamal Blackman on a free after he left Huddersfield Town expired, and midfielders Kgaogelo Chauke and Rekeem Harper have joined on season-long loans from Southampton B and Ipswich Town, respectively.
However, they need to bolster their attacking options and other areas on the pitch as well, and getting a couple of quality players in would come in very handy.
With just a few days left in the summer transfer window, Exeter have to make their moves very quickly.
Maintain lead and kill off games
Exeter took the lead in their first game of the season against Lincoln City but could not score another and were held to a 1-1 draw in the second half.
They also took the lead against Cambridge United only to end up losing 2-1, with a late goal dealing them a huge blow.
They simply have to start putting games to bed and holding on to leads if they want to have a very impressive campaign.
Every game counts and they must be defensively solid and maintain leads if they cannot score loads of goals.
Get more physical
League One is a very physical league, and Taylor's men need all the strength they can get if they want to force their way into the top-six.
Adding the 6ft 2in Harper to the squad brings that physicality they need, but the youngster cannot do it all and more such signings are needed.
The other players have to bulk up and adapt to the demands of their new surroundings.
It will do them a lot of good as there are many physical battles ahead of them.
Failure to win in that department will not yield the results they so much desire.
Play every game like a final
The term "playing every game like a final" has become a cliche in football, but it is a mantra Exeter simply have to adopt this season.
They cannot afford to get relegated after working for 10 years to get to this level, and every player needs a winning mentality at all times.
In training and on the pitch. Taylor and his men have to put in their best in all of their remaining 40 league games this season.
The Grecians are in a very tough league, and they must quickly realize this.
Exeter will not be getting away with a lot of things they got away with in League Two, and the players have to prove that they belong to this level.
