Down in Devon for the first of two trips to Exeter City this calendar year, Blues needed a response to a dismal performance and result against Shrewsbury on the weekend.
The line-up was adjusted, and the players responded in kind. Blues controlled Exeter throughout the 90 minutes, and for the couple of short spells Exeter had, stood strong and denied them any real chances at goal. The only disappointment might be that Blues didn’t score more.
We got off to a great start, when Iwata latched onto a headed clearance from Exeter to hit a sweet strike into the corner on the 11th minute. That takes the Japanese midfielder to 5 goals this season – a remarkable and unexpected return by December, from a player who is clearly well above League One level.
Bielik shifting over to the right back role allowed Blues to mirror their in possession shape, and freed up Alex Cochrane to get further forward down the left hand side. His crosses are hit with great accuracy and he caused Exeter plenty of problems in the first half. Willum Willumsson had two great opportunities to score with his head, but missed the target on both occasions. The big man isn’t known for his heading ability, but he really should be burying one of those two to put us in a comfortable position.
Keshi Anderson had his deflected shot well saved, and neither Stansfield nor May could quite get the ball under control well enough to get a clear shot at goal in several occasions, but the play was bright and opportunities were aplenty.
Half time: Exeter 0-1 Blues (Iwata)
Exeter came out with urgency at the start of the second half, but were unable to fashion any real chances. Their best opportunity came from a wide ball whipped in towards Magennis, who mis-hit his header into the ground for Allsop to gather comfortably.
The second half was far more scrappy than the first, as Exeter repeatedly put in strong challenges in midfield and notably on Keshi Anderson. Klarer and Bielik responded a few times with physicality of their own, but the referee kept his cards in his pocket for the most part. Blues controlled the play but struggled to create chances, and it felt like it might become another game where Blues are penalised for not taking their chances with a last minute equaliser.
That wasn’t to be the case. The referee called a penalty for Blues on the 83rd minute for a handball in the box, and Jay Stansfield stepped up with an excellent penalty to put daylight on the scoresheet. Jay’s celebration was minimal and muted in respect for his boyhood club, and of course, the club his father became a legend of. Stansfield finds himself on 9 goals this season and is proving to be a confident, competent penalty taker.
Magennis had one last shot from outside the box in the 89th minute for Exeter, forcing Allsop into his first real save of the afternoon. Blues ended the game with two goals to none, and 19 shots to Exeter’s 3.
A much improved and needed performance to bounce back after the disappointment of the weekend. The Blues press forced Exeter into mistakes playing out of the back and the control we exerted was clear from the start. The only criticism would be that we still need to be more clinical in front of goal and get that 2nd goal sooner, but Davies’ changes were successful and we came away with our 10th win from 15 League One games and leapfrogged Stockport into 3rd place.
Full time: Exeter 0-2 Blues (Iwata, Stansfield)
Ratings
Starting XI
Ryan Allsop: 7
Allsop had little to do bar one save at the end of the game, but controlled play well on the floor and put in a solid performance.
Krystian Bielik: 6
Bielik played in an unnatural position, shifting over to right back. Bar a few needless fouls and an unnecessary yellow, I thought he handled the role change well and we looked much more solid at the back.
Christoph Klarer: 7
Klarer had a strong game, winning headers, being composed on the ball and adding physicality and needle when required. He didn't venture forward as often given his central role in the mirrored 3 at the back in possession, but it resulted in a good performance.
Ben Davies: 7
Davies returned to the starting 11 after dropping out upon Bielik's return from injury. He showed the same class as his previous spell, smart and solid at the back, assured in possession. Did pick up a yellow to stop a counter in the first half.
Alex Cochrane: 8
Cochrane shone with his new-found freedom of the left hand side as a result of the tactical change. His delivery is superb, and on another day he might've registered an assist or two. Superb performance from our most consistent player - he certainly offers more end product than Laird, and I wonder if we might see more of this going forwards.
Paik Seung-Ho: 7
Our midfield pairing took a bit of a battering from Exeter, but stood strong and didn't let it affect their game. I thought Paik was quiet, but did his job and came through a tricky game nicely. He was replaced by Marc Leonard in the closing stages.
Tomoki Iwata: 9 - Man of the Match
Tomoki scored yet another goal from the edge of the area with a sweet strike down to the keeper's right hand side, and handled the rest of his game with class. He is the one player we have that I am absolutely sure is far too good for this division, the best midfielder we've had in years. Strong when defending, press-resistant, accurate in his passing and still contributing with goals. Top performance from a top player.
Keshi Anderson: 7
Keshi returned to the right hand side and dealt incredibly well with the physicality Exeter displayed - I'm surprised he didn't force the referee's hand into more bookings for our opposition, but he handled the game well. Not his most productive game, but I will mark him higher for his work rate and refusal to be bullied out of play.
Willum Þór Willumsson: 6
Thor returned to his more central role of prior games, and although he found himself in better positions, it didn't quite come off for him tonight. A few overhit passes, a few cut out, but overall an okay performance - but we've certainly seen much better from him.
Jay Stansfield: 7
Jay started where he finished off against Shrewsbury, off the left hand side, but this time supported by a flying Alex Cochrane. I thought he could've done better in moments where he couldn't dribble past his man or make a pass in time, but I think this will come with time in the role and will eventually suit him better than the number 9. Took his penalty extremely well.
Alfie May: 7
Alfie returned to his natural position, spearheading our attack. Devoid of service for the most part, similar to that of Stansfield in recent weeks, but ran his legs into the ground. I trust him to take a chance when it comes his way and he almost found himself on the receiving end of a few balls into the box as his intelligent positioning in the box showed. He will get himself back on the scoresheet soon if he's allowed to continue in this role.
Subs
Lyndon Dykes: 6
Lyndon came on for May in the 75th minute. He worked hard, but we were looking to see the game out at that point and he didn't have the chances he might've liked.
Marc Leonard: 6
Leonard had even less time to make an impact, with just 10 minutes including additional time. Looked sharp and solid, I hope he gets a start against Blackpool this weekend. He's been desperately unlucky to not get more game time, and I think it's a perfect opportunity.
Luke Harris: N/A
Harris came on for 90 seconds at the end of the game for Stansfield. He might be limited to substitute appearances for the foreseeable future, after his impact since returning from injury has been limited when he's started.
