As we approach the tail end of January, a lot has happened since I last penned an article on here. The main thing that I wanted to achieve with these blogs on a personal note was to provide a way to get my thoughts and feelings regarding our amazing club off my chest as I felt them in a balanced manner – not promising to write something on a regular basis as I didn’t want to put unnecessary pressure on myself to have to put something out there. 

If I write when the mood takes me, I feel that it is more authentic and from the heart, which is what I want it to be. There’s been a couple of my more recent posts where I’ve written something because I felt I had to rather than it being heartfelt – I’ll try not to get caught in that trap again.

This time though, I am speaking from the heart and we’ve got a lot to cover. Since I last penned an article, we’ve won two games (including our first away win since September 2nd), drawn one where I felt we missed an opportunity and lost one at Blackpool, who have an impressive record at home. That equates to 7 points out of a possible 12, and takes us to the 30 point mark for the season. If you’ve been following these blogs throughout the season, you’ll remember that the usual safety mark for L1 is 50 points, so we’re now only 20 away (6 wins and 2 draws) with 18 games to play. It’s not over yet!

With the transfer window now in full swing, as I write this we’ve had two arrivals and one departure. Luke Harris, who we were due to sign on loan back in August with the deal falling through at the last minute, joined us on loan from Fulham for the rest of the season, and Exeter-born left-back Ben Purrington was signed from Ross County for an undisclosed fee. We’re still waiting for a striker or two to come through the door, and with James Scott leaving for St Mirren yesterday, initially on loan to be made permanent in the summer, surely there will be reinforcements brought in before the window slams shut next Thursday night.

I hope it works out for James Scott back north of the border. He didn’t have a great time of it here, homesickness could well have played a part and although his performances could have been a lot better, some of the dogs abuse he was getting from the SJP crowd when he was subbed on or whilst playing didn’t sit right with me. During those 90 minutes, as supporters we’ve got to show our support – by all means if you wish to criticise do so after the game if you have to, but whilst those players are on the pitch representing our club, they have my full unwavering support and encouragement.

As for the matches in recent weeks, Carlisle at home was a decent performance where we regularly peppered the opposition goal. City seemed to lose the toss as we kicked towards the bank in the first half, but that was nothing to worry about. Dion Rankine, who had one of his best games in a City shirt, played a through ball to Luke Harris who attempted to cross it in, only for it to hit a Carlisle defender. The ball then fell to Reece Cole outside the box who shot it into the net to give City a deserved 1-0 lead. A second was added not long after, Jack Aitchison’s shot hitting the post before Sonny Cox got to the rebound to double City’s advantage. A late corner for Carlisle provided them with a consolation but their hoof and hope football was no match for City, who held on for a much-needed 2-1 win.

We then went on to Blackpool, who as I mentioned earlier have a fantastic home record at Bloomfield Road. A penalty was given away in the first half by Vil Sinisalo, who then redeemed himself by saving Jordan Rhodes’ effort from the spot. However, after that an attempt outside the box from Albie Morgan found its way into the back of the net to give Blackpool the advantage. Morgan added a second from outside the box in the second half, but despite numerous opportunities for City they couldn’t quite get back into the game. A few disgruntled fans aired their displeasure at the end of the game, but for me although it wasn’t the best performance, it wasn’t the worst either.

Then it was back to SJP for a home match with Cambridge United, who had beaten us 2-0 at their place just four weeks before. Sadly, the first half was one of the worst I’d witnessed following City, with neither side registering a shot on goal. There was a lot of sideways and backward passing, and fans were taking umbrage also at the numerous short corners that were being played as they didn’t seem to be working, yet the players persisted with them. I understand that most shots on goal from corner opportunities come when it is taken short, but when it’s clearly not working and becoming predictable you need to know when to mix it up a little bit. The best chances funnily enough came in the last few minutes when we decided to take some long corners! Although we had more opportunities in the second half, the deadlock couldn’t be broken and 0-0 was how it stayed. On the plus side we were great defensively, and Cheick Diabate in particular has been a colossus for us since returning to the back line, but you couldn’t help but feel that this was a missed opportunity to get some more much-needed points on the board.

Tuesday night of course saw us make the short trip to Bristol Rovers, managed by former City manager Matt Taylor. On a personal note, I do enjoy these fixtures as I’ve got family members who are Gasheads and it’s always a pleasure to catch up with them. Of course we have the bonus of facing them a week on Saturday too so will see them again then! After the Cambridge game, I wasn’t expecting a lot from this one, even though Rovers were yet to win in 2024. I took my seat in the new South Stand at the Mem, which is an upgrade on the old tent that was there but the legroom could be a lot better for a new stand, and to my surprise we were about to put in an absolutely colossal performance. City started on the front foot, peppering the Rovers goal from the off attacking towards us in the South Stand. In the 12th minute, a shot from Jack Aitchison, who has been putting in some great shifts in recent weeks, was parried by the Rovers keeper into the path of Sonny Cox to give City an early advantage.

As the game went on, the weather seemed to get worse with driving wind and rain heading into our faces. I can only imagine how it must have been to have played in it, or even be stood on the uncovered terrace to our right like many of our fans were, but I think the conditions worsening played to our advantage. Rovers had opportunities but many of them were high and wide, and our defence were more than up for the challenge. In the second half, Sonny Cox was substituted early on with a knock, so hopefully it’s nothing too serious going forward. Additionally, around 10 minutes from the end Ben Purrington suffered what looked to be a serious injury as he was carted off on a stretcher. It’s yet to be confirmed how serious it is, but that was probably the low point of what was otherwise a superb night to be a Grecian.

As the clock ticked to 90 mins, following Purrington’s injury 8 minutes were added on, but City were resolute. In the end, 10 minutes of stoppage time were played and after what seemed like an eternity, the referee finally blew the whistle for full-time to confirm a huge three points for the Grecians. The players got a deserved applause from the travelling fans, as they’d given it everything. If only that could happen every game! I think the thing that’s frustrating for me is the lack of consistency – one day we’ll put in a drab performance like the game against Cambridge and rue the missed opportunities, and the next one we put in a colossal and hard-fought display against Bristol Rovers, obtaining a well-deserved three points in the process.

Overall though, performances in recent weeks have been much improved, and the pressure is beginning to ease on Gary Caldwell – not quite to the point where I’m completely out of the ‘Out’ camp at the moment but I’m heading towards that fence between whether he should stay or go. If you could guarantee me that we could get the 20 points we require before the end of the season, I’d happily jump over that fence, stick until the season’s end and review then. I’ve always said I’d love GC to prove me wrong and of course I’ll hold my hands up if that happens, but only time will tell!

Credit where it’s due, bar the Cambridge game recent performances have improved greatly and long may it continue. A trip to Barnsley awaits on Saturday against a side who are unbeaten in league action since November, so as with Blackpool it may be a big ask to get something from there, but you never know! We didn’t expect to do the double over them last season yet somehow we managed it. The rollercoaster ride that is ECFC rumbles on, and hopefully we can get through the tough times to get over that 50 point line sooner rather than later. Wouldn’t change it for the world though. UTC.