Exeter City manager Matt Taylor has said that the club are coasting towards relegation as their future in League One hangs in the balance.
Defeat against fellow bottom four contenders Wigan Athletic, managed by previous Grecians boss Gary Caldwell, has left City out of the drop zone only on goal difference, and are on the longest winless run in the division, having last picked up a win against Port Vale in late January.
Taylor Gives Dire Warning
Speaking to the press following their defeat against the Latics, Matt Taylor explained his thought process behind his substitutions in that game, which saw young loanee Tymur Tutierov substituted after just 15 minutes.
The Ukrainian, on loan from Sunderland, was hooked in favour of Josh Magennis, but the Northern Irish talisman could not come to his side’s aid, condemning Exeter to their fifth straight defeat.
Taylor said: (Quotes via BBC Radio Devon):
“I can’t keep waiting for this team to find life in itself when the game pushes us behind People will say it’s a quite a drastic reaction, that’s what we need.
“We are sleepwalking towards relegation and anything that we are as a team, Josh gives us a huge amount. I actually thought he was our best player when he came on.
“People will say ‘oh, he’s saying that because he made the change’. He influenced the game – not enough of us influenced the game – and whether that’s with his physicality or personality I honestly don’t care, Josh gave us something.
“I had to choose who to take off and it’s very unfortunate for Timur. We probably missed him later on in the game when we needed his pace and quality, but I thought it made us a better team and I’ll always make a decision to try and make us a better team.
“I don’t care now if it’s minute one or minute 90, we can’t afford to be drifting or slowly going towards the trap-door.”
Vital Fortnight Ahead
Exeter City’s next three games are highly likely to decide whether they are able to escape the drop or condemn them to a return to League Two for the first time since 2022.
The Grecians have simply not been competitive in many of their matches in 2026, and arguably have now received the biggest kick while they are down with defeat at the hands of former manager Gary Caldwell, which in turn has given Wigan Athletic a vital edge in their own bid for survival.
With games against three other teams in the bottom eight over the next two weeks, now is the time for City to sink or swim, with these fixtures the best chance for the Devon side to pick up nine points which can make all the difference.
Both Burton Albion and Leyton Orient have picked up some wins in their last few matches, and in the case of Richie Wellens’ side, have won their last four matches on the bounce.
However, the most crucial game to get right is their Good Friday match against Blackpool, who are level on points with Exeter as it stands. If a victor emerges in that match, then it could be all over for the losing party.
