The Imps return to league action on Saturday 16 November when they travel to Devon to take on Exeter City at St James Park (12.30pm KO).
Hear from head coach Michael Skubala and striker Bailey Cadamarteri ahead of the fixture, as well as catching up on important match information in this preview.
Skubala’s thoughts
“It aids the recruitment team with the history of what has gone on at the club, and if we want to bring players in for permanent deals or on loans, having a good track record of looking after players is really important.
“Young players have got to work hard and they’ve got to train hard, and then when they get their opportunity they need to impress and take it. I thought Zane Okoro was really good on Tuesday night against some really good kids who are similar in age to him. He needs to keep working hard and trying to find a route into the senior game, and when they get there it’s probably even harder to stay there and keep moving. There’s loads of room for growth for all of our youth players. Zane’s been with us for quite a bit of time, and we’ve got a couple others who are working well as well, it’s really good to keep pushing the youth but I don’t give minutes out for free either.
“It’s going to be a really tough game, it’s a hard place to go. The crowd really support their team and it’s a really well-run club with a great manager and great players. We’ve got to be on it, there’s no doubt about it - lots of teams go there and fail to get points. They can be direct, they can play, they can really change their styles and formation. We know it’s going to be a really tough game regardless of who they put out.”
Cadamarteri’s view
“I’m enjoying my time here so far, obviously I’ve come here to play games and score a few goals for this club. I feel like I’m doing that and staking a claim to play in this team.”
“As a striker everyone wants to play. We’ve all got our strengths and things that are a bit different to each other, which I think is standing the team in good stead.
“We’ve looked at Exeter, it’s always going to be a tough place to go, travelling that far. They don’t score many goals but they don’t concede many either so it’ll be a good game. These are the places we’ve got to go and take points from if we want to get promoted this season.”
A look at the opposition
The Grecians have had a positive start to the 24/25 season, currently finding themselves in 11th place but just two points outside of the play-offs going into this weekend.
Gary Caldwell’s team haven’t been the highest scorers, but they boast one of the meanest defences having conceded just ten goals, recording eight league shut-outs already this campaign.
Their most recent match saw the Imps defeat Nathan Jones’ Charlton Athletic 1-0 at St James Park.
City took all three points at St James Park back in 2018 courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 win.
Form: WWLLW
Top scorer: Kamari Doyle (3 goals)
Match information
City will play in their white away kit when they travel to Exeter, purchase yours HERE.
The referee for Saturday’s match will be Thomas Parsons, and will be assisted by Declan O’Shea and Sam Ogles. The fourth official will be Ben Atkinson.
Listen along with Imps+ by buying your audio pass HERE.
