Exeter City manager Matt Taylor has called on his players to build on their recent upturn in form after back-to-back league wins. The Grecians have climbed to 14th in League Two, five points clear of the relegation zone, following a 1-0 victory at Shrewsbury Town last Saturday.
Taylor acknowledged the difficulties of the early season, which included a stressful transfer window. "Certainly within the transfer window it was a difficult situation to manage," he told reporters.
Recent results and the shift in momentum
The win at Shrewsbury was Exeter's first away victory since 24 January and followed a 1-0 home win over Rotherham United earlier this month. Those results have lifted the team from 21st to 14th place, now sitting on 12 points from 10 games.
Taylor highlighted the fine margins, noting that four of their first four losses after relegation were by a single goal, but the team is now finding its rhythm. "All of a sudden we're in a mid-pack in the table where two games ago we were towards the bottom," Taylor said. "Now we're in a mid-pack where we're still close enough to the bottom end, but we're also within touching distance of the teams above us."
He pointed to the team's improved defensive solidity as a key factor, with the side now averaging 1.2 goals conceded per game, a marked improvement on the early weeks of the campaign.
Taylor on progress and the need to keep building
While pleased with the direction, Taylor insists the work is far from over. "I feel we're moving in the right direction, we're nowhere near where we want to be just yet," he stated. "When you win games of football everything feels more positive around the training ground, in the changing room, around the city I suppose, in the community."
He delivered a clear message to his squad. "But we can't rest on that, we can't be satisfied with it in any way, we feel it's a moment now to really build on." The manager added that enjoyment only comes when the team functions as he wants it to, with a specific focus on maintaining intensity and structure for the full duration of matches.
Taylor revealed that the team's recent success has been underpinned by a significant increase in their goal minutes, with the team now scoring 65 percent of their goals in the second half of matches, a statistic he wants to see continue as a sign of growing fitness and resilience.
Exeter are now three points off the play-off places and will look to continue their momentum. Their next challenge is an away trip to face 19th-placed Colchester United on Saturday, 17 October, with kick-off at 15:00. Check the upcoming fixtures for all the details.
Background and full detail: bbc.com
