A look at tomorrow's game in Devon. Exeter are three points and three positions below eighth-placed Barnsley.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Exeter (3-4-3): Whitworth; Sweeney, Crama, Francis; Jack McMillan, Ryan Woods, Jake Richards, Ilmari Niskanen; Jack Aitchison, Millenic Alli, Magennis.
Barnsley (3-5-2): Killip; de Gevigney, Pines, McCarthy; O’Keeffe, Russell, Nwakali, Connell, Gent; Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys.
TEAM NEWS
Barnsley: Out: Gaga Slonina (finger), Max Watters, Josh Earl, Marc Roberts (calf), Fabio Jalo (shoulder). Doubts: Josh Benson. Suspended: Adam Phillips.
Exeter: Doubts: Reece Cole, Demi Mitchell, Johnly Yfeko, Pat Jones.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Daniel Clarke, Devon Line
Sitting 11th is probably the limit of City’s ability but they have dropped away from being in and around the play-offs after a poor run – although the last five fixtures have been against teams who were the top five at the time.
City haven’t scored enough goals and there are times when don’t look like scoring – if they take the lead then there’s confidence will hold on, but coming from behind is an issue.
Injuries haven’t helped, with a full side not yet taken to the field. But a mid-table season would suit City fine.
KEY PLAYER
Josh Magennis is probably the key man. The striker has only scored five goals this season – four in the FA Cup – but his leading of the line and acting as a focal point has been key. It’s been noticeable that when he has been absent or marked out of a game, City struggle to sustain attacks and cannot get the ball. His presence allows the other players to come into the game and cause problems
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Grecians 0, Reds 1 – October 7, 2023
This match is most remembered for the fire on Barnsley’s coach on the way home. But before then, substitute John McAtee had headed in Owen Dodgson’s cross in the 90th-minute to spark chaos in the away end.
It was a fifth straight away win for Neill Collins’ side. After the goal, Exeter’s Demetri Mitchell hit the bar for the second time.
Grecians 2, Reds 1 – March 22, 1980
Allan Clarke, while smoking a cigar in the post-match press conference, bemoaned his side’s lack of clinical finishing after dominating most of the game and playing good football. Mick McCarthy conceded a penalty for handball, from which the hosts opened the scoring. Trevor Aylott levelled but the Grecians got the winner with 15 minutes left.
Grecians 2, Reds 1 – December 2, 1972
The visitors were edged out in a poor game. Mike Balson scored both home goals either side of a leveller by Peter Martin.
