This Week's Opposition: Exeter City

The games are coming thick and fast now the new season has begun and Pompey will be looking to secure back-to-back league wins when they take on Exeter City on home soil.

Saturday’s 4-0 romp over Leyton Orient marked the Blues’ first win of the 2023/24 League One season, coming just days after they claimed their spot in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 win at Forest Green Rovers.

But, after 2 away days in the space of a week, it’s time to return to Fratton Park for a double header of home fixtures, starting with a midweek meeting with The Grecians... Let’s take a closer look at them now!

MANAGER

Former Hibernian, Celtic and Wigan Athletic defender Gary Caldwell is the man in charge of Exeter.

The 41-year-old, who was also capped 55 times at senior level for the Scotland National Team, was appointed as the Grecians’ boss in October of last year.

Caldwell began his managerial career at Wigan in April 2015, just 2 months after retiring as a player with the club - He succeeded Malky Mackay at the helm with The Latics sat 23rd in the Championship with just 5 games remaining.

He then had short stints in charge of Chesterfield and Partick Thistle before being unveiled as Matt Taylor’s successor at St. James’ Park, where he has since won 12 out of 36 competitive matches as Exeter boss.

ONE TO WATCH

24-year-old Sam Nombe is one to keep an eye on this time around.

The forward, who wears the number 10 shirt for The Grecians, signed for the club on a 3-year deal for an undisclosed fee from MK Dons back in July 2021.

He has since claimed 23 goals from 71 competitive outings in Exeter colours.

Nombe has yet to find the back of the net this season but has featured heavily for Gary Caldwell’s side, for whom on the opening day of the campaign away at Wycombe, he missed a penalty in the 9th minute of the match.

TOP SCORER

Scottish forward James Scott is currently Exeter’s leading scorer this season.

The 22-year-old striker has found the back of the net twice, scoring one on the opening day and one in the First Round of the Carabao Cup last week.

Scott joined The Grecians in January of this year following his release from Hull City, where he had made 36 appearances in all competitions across 2 years with the club.

For Exeter, the former Motherwell youth prospect dons the number 11 shirt.

CURRENT FORM

Like the Blues, Exeter City are unbeaten across all competitions so far this campaign with 2 wins and 1 draw to their name.

Their stalemate, however, came in their most recent match, which ended goalless with Blackpool at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

Prior to that, The Grecians followed up a 3-0 victory away at Wycombe on the opening day of the League One season with a 2-1 comeback win over Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup.

Last time out between these 2 sides, it was Portsmouth who prevailed with a 2-0 league win at PO4 - Marlon Pack and Joe Morrell on target in John Mousinho’s first game in charge back on January 21st.

So, will it be back-to-back league victories for Pompey when they host Exeter City under the Fratton Park floodlights?

Join the Express FM team for all of the unmissable action when Pompey Live returns at 7pm on Tuesday evening! (Kick-off: 8pm)