Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell is calling on his side to be ‘brave in possession’ as they look to end Reading’s six game unbeaten run this evening.
The Grecians, who lost the reverse fixture 2-1 in August, sit down in 19th and just three points clear of the relegation zone.
On Saturday, they scored an 87th-minute equaliser to draw 1-1 with Northampton Town at St James Park while the Royals netted a late winner to beat Wigan Athletic 2-1 at the Brick Community Stadium.
Royals boss Noel Hunt has called on his players to thrive with the ‘underdog’ tag, currently just three points outside the play-off places.
In good form at home, only losing three times in Berkshire, Caldwell wants his visiting side to show ‘personality’ despite the challenge facing the Grecians.
“Reading are a really dangerous team- still very aggressive and similar to how they were under the previous manager,” he told the official club channel. “They are playing well and are a confident team so it will be a really difficult match, but we will be ready when it comes around.
“The lessons we have to take are the confident and personality in possession- we have to be braver. In these difficult games at the end of the season- tight games- we have to understand how we are going to win them. We are not a team set up to play second-ball football, a team that can go toe-to-toe like a Northampton with the long balls and duals.
“We need to control our own destiny by passing the ball. We need to compete, fight and run, winning the duals when they come around, but if we play a 50-50 game it doesn’t’ suit our style.”
Kick off at the SCL Stadium is 8pm, the first of two successive midweek matches as Wrexham visit next Tuesday.
