PIERCE SWEENEY IS THE CLUB CAPTAIN OF EXETER CITY FC

Unfortunately, circumstances have rather conspired against me this week. We didn’t have a game at the weekend for me to reflect on, while print deadlines mean I’m writing this column on the morning of our FA Cup fourth round tie with Nottingham Forest.

It would be nice to think that by the time you read this, we’ll have pulled off a big shock and be looking forward to welcoming Ipswich to St James Park in the fifth round. (Ed note - City were beaten on penalties)

However, right now that’s little more than a pipe dream. Regardless of how we fare against Forest, we have a huge game at the weekend when we travel to Cambridge United.

While results could have been worse for us on Saturday, Northampton’s win at Mansfield Town saw them climb above us in the table and a rejuvenated Shrewsbury Town moved within six points of us by beating Rotherham United.

As things stand, we’re 18th of the 24 teams in League One, six points clear of Burton, who currently occupy the final relegation spot, and nine ahead of bottom-of-the-table Cambridge.

While a win over the U’s would increase that gap to 12 points and give us a bit more room breathing space, with all the teams below us showing signs of life over recent weeks, it’s a game we absolutely can’t afford to lose.

Certainly, bringing in the players we did in the January window should give us a big boost. And while they weren’t all eligible for the Forest game, the manager won’t be short of players to choose from at the weekend; indeed, it’s inevitable there will be a few lads disappointed to miss out on the matchday squad,........

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