Team news, live updates and reaction all here this evening:
https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/s ... y-10422467
Cheltenham Town v Exeter City
Moderators: Admin, Ralph, asl, Robin
Archer playing centre mid in what looks to be a 3-4-3. Meanwhile, Exeter have changed all 10 outfield players from their game at the weekend.
If we don't at least get a goal tonight...
Cardiff away for the winners...what an inspiring draw.
If we don't at least get a goal tonight...
Cardiff away for the winners...what an inspiring draw.
-
CTFC.Harry
- Posts: 311
- Joined: 26 Oct 2018, 14:07
- Location: The Shire
That was nice wasn't it?
And a decent cup draw for once.
And a decent cup draw for once.
-
TheTownClub
- Posts: 172
- Joined: 05 Mar 2025, 15:25
Archer was superb. I think Bickerstaff will see Miller on the bench after that performance too (Miller does not look sharp enough for me). Wilson has made me forget about last season's player of the year and Power is probably going to be an automatic pick now. Tustin has that bite that could take him far. Young is everywhere. Mažionis has a bit about him too that could make him a favourite. And welcome back Ryan Broom; you've got to have the knowhow to be there to score those kind of goals.
Apart from the five minutes after half-time Exeter were never in the game, not because they played badly, they just were never given the chance. The snap, alertness, energy that was missing so far was back tonight. We will need it!
Apart from the five minutes after half-time Exeter were never in the game, not because they played badly, they just were never given the chance. The snap, alertness, energy that was missing so far was back tonight. We will need it!
-
Jerry St Clair
- Posts: 2710
- Joined: 15 Aug 2011, 16:40
What was the Exeter no.40 doing after Bickerstaff intercepted the keepers’ pass for the second goal? Casually strolled back towards Bickerstaff then put in the limpest of limp attempted blocks.HamTown wrote: ↑14 Aug 2025, 06:21 Some nice passing and tenacity, highlights:
https://www.skysports.com/football/live ... highlights
It was an outstanding performance all over the park last night.
Defensively we look quite solid, Wilson and Mazionis are great and if we're playing a three, Bennett will slot in between them with no issue. Cundy's injury is a concern though and I think we need another centre-back (Barber being on the bench shows you how low down the pecking order Bakare is).
Broom was outstanding in midfield (notably, not at 10) and Luke Young looked much sharper. This was helped by Harmon and Power (in the first half, AJB second) making the running on the wings.
Bickerstaff and Thomas were game - I think Bickerstaff just needs to believe in himself a bit more. In all three games he's had a chance of a clear shot on goal and has hit tamely at the keeper. I'd rather see him leather it and over the bar, but one goal I think will bring out his confidence.
A special word for Ethon Archer though who was truly immense. The sort of performance that, if he could produce consistently, would be smashing the £500k plus offers we'd like to get for him.
Even the subs contributed as well - Tustin really does look a bit special, Miller really should have scored - but his harrying and desire is what got him into that position in the first place, and Willcox looked assured at the back as well.
I've not forgotten Joe Day btw - he just had nothing to do until the 92nd minute because of the 10 others in front of him.
Judging by social media - we could be taking a decent number down to Cardiff in a couple of weeks, I know my son and I will be there.
Defensively we look quite solid, Wilson and Mazionis are great and if we're playing a three, Bennett will slot in between them with no issue. Cundy's injury is a concern though and I think we need another centre-back (Barber being on the bench shows you how low down the pecking order Bakare is).
Broom was outstanding in midfield (notably, not at 10) and Luke Young looked much sharper. This was helped by Harmon and Power (in the first half, AJB second) making the running on the wings.
Bickerstaff and Thomas were game - I think Bickerstaff just needs to believe in himself a bit more. In all three games he's had a chance of a clear shot on goal and has hit tamely at the keeper. I'd rather see him leather it and over the bar, but one goal I think will bring out his confidence.
A special word for Ethon Archer though who was truly immense. The sort of performance that, if he could produce consistently, would be smashing the £500k plus offers we'd like to get for him.
Even the subs contributed as well - Tustin really does look a bit special, Miller really should have scored - but his harrying and desire is what got him into that position in the first place, and Willcox looked assured at the back as well.
I've not forgotten Joe Day btw - he just had nothing to do until the 92nd minute because of the 10 others in front of him.
Judging by social media - we could be taking a decent number down to Cardiff in a couple of weeks, I know my son and I will be there.
-
Warwickshire Robin
- Posts: 910
- Joined: 17 Aug 2021, 12:02
Even taking into account the changes Exeter made that was a real good evenings work. Everybody showed their best and hopefully that now sets the bar for the rest of the season. I think we completed more passes in the first 5 minutes than in the whole game last Saturday!
Would love to see that team and formation against League 2 opposition. A few have held their hand up and given Flynny and his backroom boys food for thought! The season has finally started!
Would love to see that team and formation against League 2 opposition. A few have held their hand up and given Flynny and his backroom boys food for thought! The season has finally started!
The pessimist in me would say because of the 21 in front of himSi Robin wrote: ↑14 Aug 2025, 07:45 It was an outstanding performance all over the park last night.
Defensively we look quite solid, Wilson and Mazionis are great and if we're playing a three, Bennett will slot in between them with no issue. Cundy's injury is a concern though and I think we need another centre-back (Barber being on the bench shows you how low down the pecking order Bakare is).
Broom was outstanding in midfield (notably, not at 10) and Luke Young looked much sharper. This was helped by Harmon and Power (in the first half, AJB second) making the running on the wings.
Bickerstaff and Thomas were game - I think Bickerstaff just needs to believe in himself a bit more. In all three games he's had a chance of a clear shot on goal and has hit tamely at the keeper. I'd rather see him leather it and over the bar, but one goal I think will bring out his confidence.
A special word for Ethon Archer though who was truly immense. The sort of performance that, if he could produce consistently, would be smashing the £500k plus offers we'd like to get for him.
Even the subs contributed as well - Tustin really does look a bit special, Miller really should have scored - but his harrying and desire is what got him into that position in the first place, and Willcox looked assured at the back as well.
I've not forgotten Joe Day btw - he just had nothing to do until the 92nd minute because of the 10 others in front of him.
Judging by social media - we could be taking a decent number down to Cardiff in a couple of weeks, I know my son and I will be there.
Yeah, I'm holding back on any grand praise until we have seen them against a team that are up for a league game, because how much of it was the boys were very good and how much of it was Exeter were terrible and let us play?Ihearye wrote: ↑14 Aug 2025, 08:46The pessimist in me would say because of the 21 in front of himSi Robin wrote: ↑14 Aug 2025, 07:45 It was an outstanding performance all over the park last night.
Defensively we look quite solid, Wilson and Mazionis are great and if we're playing a three, Bennett will slot in between them with no issue. Cundy's injury is a concern though and I think we need another centre-back (Barber being on the bench shows you how low down the pecking order Bakare is).
Broom was outstanding in midfield (notably, not at 10) and Luke Young looked much sharper. This was helped by Harmon and Power (in the first half, AJB second) making the running on the wings.
Bickerstaff and Thomas were game - I think Bickerstaff just needs to believe in himself a bit more. In all three games he's had a chance of a clear shot on goal and has hit tamely at the keeper. I'd rather see him leather it and over the bar, but one goal I think will bring out his confidence.
A special word for Ethon Archer though who was truly immense. The sort of performance that, if he could produce consistently, would be smashing the £500k plus offers we'd like to get for him.
Even the subs contributed as well - Tustin really does look a bit special, Miller really should have scored - but his harrying and desire is what got him into that position in the first place, and Willcox looked assured at the back as well.
I've not forgotten Joe Day btw - he just had nothing to do until the 92nd minute because of the 10 others in front of him.
Judging by social media - we could be taking a decent number down to Cardiff in a couple of weeks, I know my son and I will be there.
We must increase our salary cap if we are going to be serious about div 1 ambitions ?
-
Jerry St Clair
- Posts: 2710
- Joined: 15 Aug 2011, 16:40
Seems that the relationship between Bakare and Flynn has completely broken down and we won’t be seeing him in the squad again, let alone near the first team.
On the flip side, Sohna on the bench. Maybe (another) shot at redemption?
On the flip side, Sohna on the bench. Maybe (another) shot at redemption?
-
Jerry St Clair
- Posts: 2710
- Joined: 15 Aug 2011, 16:40
Is it the relationship has broken down or simply that he needs to make it clear he won't feature and needs to move on. Both Bakare and Sohna are sitting on contracts and we need them to leave to bring in players we have linedup. I don't have the impression Flynn falls out with players more the opposite in fact but I could be wrong.Jerry St Clair wrote: ↑14 Aug 2025, 11:12 Seems that the relationship between Bakare and Flynn has completely broken down and we won’t be seeing him in the squad again, let alone near the first team.
On the flip side, Sohna on the bench. Maybe (another) shot at redemption?
Couldn't t believe the first post i saw about the game on Facebook and the guy was slagging off archer.
I thought he was bloody brilliant,especially second half.
Just feel exeter came to try and play football which clearly suited us,once we get back to league 2 rough and tumble it'll be a different story.
I thought he was bloody brilliant,especially second half.
Just feel exeter came to try and play football which clearly suited us,once we get back to league 2 rough and tumble it'll be a different story.
We also changed half of our team for some perspective. Ultimately it's the league cup I have the impression neither club is overly bothered about it because it doesn't generate much money or fan appeal - just look at how low the attendance was last night.
Crikey didn't realise it was that low (from a couple or years ago):
Round
Prize money
First round winners
£5,000
Second round winners
£7,000
Third round winners
£10,000
Fourth round winners
£15,000
Quarter-finalists
£25,000
Semi-finalists
£25,000
Runner-up
£50,000
Winners
£100,000