Tisdale praises team spirit despite loss against Southend

Paul Tisdale was quick to praise his team’s spirit despite losing an encouraging unbeaten run to resurgent Southend on Saturday.
Scot Bennett’s 51st minute goal was wiped out by late strikes from Barry Corr and Freddie Eastwood and despite this setback, Exeter remain in the third (and last) automatic promotion spot.
Speaking after the final whistle he stated: “I’m bitterly disappointed we lost but taking an objective view and I thought we played really well and looked a very competent team.
“The players are irritated about the fact that they got away from us to score that goal from a corner albeit in the second phase.
“I thought we had just as much of a chance of getting a second goal as they did equalising. Southend changed and it changed the game and they got the goals from it. The two strikers who came on can score goals.
“Southend are a very good side, and should be challenging for promotion come April.”
Tisdale told us that Jimmy Keohane had stiches in his head wound after the final whistle having been bandaged up during the match and he confirmed why Jamie Cureton was taken off ahead of the visit of lowly Bristol Rovers next Saturday, (3pm) he said: “He’s not been at his best, and there’s a lot of running to be done in the last 15 or 20 minutes.
“There was no problem with him, I’m just being cautious and showing that I care.”
On the subject of strikers, Tisdale made a beeline for ex-City striker Barry Corr after the final whistle before coming up to speak to the media.
He was pleased to see his former player return to a football pitch after 17 months on the sidelines through injury – even if he did score against Tisdale’s side.
“He is a good player and I’m delighted to see him back, he has been out for a long time and I’m very fond of Barry,” he said. “I certainly didn’t want him to score today but I’m pleased he is back playing again.”
*Grecian Player subscribers will be able to watch a video interview with Paul Tisdale on Monday morning.
See www.exetercityfc.co.uk for details