Caldwell Slams Gruelling Holiday Weekend Travel Ahead of Northampton Clash
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell has voiced strong concerns over the club's demanding schedule as they prepare for their League One trip to Northampton Town this Saturday. The Grecians are facing back-to-back away fixtures around the Bank Holiday weekend, and Caldwell has described the travel requirements as “incredible.”
Earlier in the week, Exeter completed an exhausting near eight-hour round trip to Wycombe, where they managed a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a late own goal following some clever play from Ethan Brierley and Ilmari Niskanen. Now, just a few days later, the squad must travel five hours north to face Northampton, a side that has yet to secure a win in the league this season.
Caldwell highlighted the contrast with other clubs, pointing out that some teams enjoy two home games in similar periods, while his players are repeatedly required to cover long distances. “To have to recover so quickly after a midweek game, I find it incredible that we have to play away on a Bank Holiday weekend,” he explained during an interview on BBC Radio Devon. He also added that he believes the English Football League could make adjustments to prevent such gruelling travel schedules.
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Exeter is no stranger to long journeys. Aside from their Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle, the club consistently racks up some of the highest mileage in the league each season. Caldwell suggested that experiencing these trips firsthand would make the fixture challenges more understandable, saying, “Whoever has to do the fixture list should come on the bus with us and see what it does.” Still, he emphasized that despite the obstacles, his squad is prepared to face the challenge.
Looking ahead to the Northampton clash, Caldwell warned that the opposition should not be underestimated. Teams chasing their first win of the season can often be dangerous, he noted, citing Northampton’s performances against Lincoln as evidence that results don’t always reflect effort. “A team that hasn’t won yet are always a dangerous one because they want to get that first win on the board,” he said. He stressed that Exeter must be competitive, improve on their recent performance, and aim to trouble the hosts more than they themselves were troubled in midweek.
On the transfer front, Caldwell addressed the club’s activity before the window closes on September 1. Ten new players have already been signed this summer, and the manager said the club knows the exact type of additions needed. While no deals are imminent, he mentioned that two more players could potentially be brought in, depending on how negotiations unfold. “There’s a long time to go, and we’re hoping to bring two players into the building,” he said, emphasizing the club’s careful approach to recruitment.
As Exeter City prepares for Northampton Town, the team faces not just the opposition on the pitch, but the physical test of travel and recovery during a packed holiday weekend. Caldwell’s remarks underline both the determination and resilience required to navigate such challenges in League One football.
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